The City of New Rochelle continues its active community engagement campaign by hosting a second activation to energize residents and hear feedback relating to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) currently underway. This Saturday, October 9th, the City, in partnership with the Global Jazz Community, New Rochelle Corporation for Local Development (CLD), City of New Rochelle Business Improvement District, R.F. Wilkins, New Rochelle Council of the Arts and New Rochelle Department of Parks and Recreation, will present the Queen City of the Sound International Jazz Festival.
The Queen City of the Sound International Jazz Festival is this Saturday, October 9, 12 PM – 5 PM, at the Ruby Dee Park (Library Green) where the City and its partners will host acclaimed jazz musicians including Louis Hayes and Cannonball Legacy Band, Bobby Sanabria Nonet, Brazilian Jazz Ensemble, GJC All Star Female Band and Rocky Middleton Jazz Ensemble. Local officials are also expected to attend. Beginning at 11 AM on Saturday, valet service will be available for all visitors to assist with parking in lots near the park. A special service Circuit shuttle route will be available at select stops along Memorial Highway from Lincoln Avenue to Ruby Dee Park. Through NRVR, the City’s virtual reality platform, New Rochelle residents will have the opportunity to provide valuable feedback about the DRI projects and how they can contribute to the City’s future at the event.
“Cultural and artistic expression help define New Rochelle and are absolutely vital to our future, so we are delighted to welcome residents to the heart of our burgeoning downtown for this jazz celebration, and to invite attendees not only to enjoy great performances, but also to contribute their perspectives and goals to the City’s ongoing revitalization,” said New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson.
After winning the Governor’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award in 2018, the City has focused on six key projects that will revive the Lincoln Avenue Corridor and ensure the neighborhood benefits from adjacent redevelopment. The DRI will transform the corridor and connect it to the economic, cultural and social heartbeat of Downtown New Rochelle and provide equitable opportunities and connections to the transit-oriented downtown, a growing arts & culture scene, workforce development opportunities and more.
One goal of the DRI is to enhance the cultural, artistic and historical community of New Rochelle to reflect and celebrate the unique heritage and diversity of the City. In partnership with the Global Jazz Community, an organization dedicated to the presentation, understanding and preservation of jazz music, the City of New Rochelle is showing its commitment to providing residents with creative and diverse art forms while allowing residents to share their feedback on redevelopment projects underway.
“These activation events provide a unique opportunity to hear from residents to ensure the Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects underway reflect the community’s thoughts and ideas to create a more diverse and equitable New Rochelle,” said Council Member Ivar Hyden.
Additional activations this year intended to engage the New Rochelle community about the ongoing DRI and provide a forum to solicit input include:
- New Rochelle Holiday Market at the NR Metro North Train Station (November 27 to December 11)
- Light the Night celebration of lights at Lincoln Park (December 9)
Additional activations will be announced for 2022 in the near future, along with project updates around the DRI. For more information on the City of New Rochelle, visit www.ideallynewrochelle.com. For more information on the DRI and to provide project feedback, visit www.newrochelledri.com.
About the City of New Rochelle:
With its unparalleled location, superb quality of life, diverse and talented residents and a focused business climate, New Rochelle is experiencing the transformation of a generation. The City’s current economic development plan will provide a spark for the entire Hudson Valley region, positioning the City as “open for business” and embracing smart, transit-oriented development growth patterns that promote open space, its close proximity to New York City and opportunities for businesses to rebound, recover and succeed in the current economic climate. Accelerated by a new, fast-track zoning process along with resources for small businesses and micro-enterprises, the ongoing Master Development initiative will continue to enhance the downtown area by supporting job creation, property values and private investment – while enhancing sustainability and livability through green and energy-efficient design. For more information on why New Rochelle is ideally yours, please visit https://www.ideallynewrochelle.com.