New Rochelle Unveils Design For Reimagined Transit Center

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Transportation options in the Queen City on the Sound are growing in historic ways, and someday soon, the city will have a transportation hub to match.

On Thursday, the City of New Rochelle revealed a new design concept for a reimagined New Rochelle Transit Center. Led by FXCollaborative, a New York City architecture firm which focuses on equitable and sustainable design, the concept is expected to turn "the historic center into a modern, pedestrian-oriented, and well-connected facility, to serve as a bustling hub for daily commuters and visitors alike."

"It’s not just about revitalizing the station; it’s about creating a vibrant, accessible space that connects our diverse communities, fosters activity, and sets the stage for future development," New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert said, unveiling the plans. "The redesign will serve as a model for cities across the region, demonstrating how smart, sustainable infrastructure can enhance both daily life and long-term economic vitality."

Officials say the transit center will be "a modern, well-connected hub," with state-of-the-art technology and an equitable design to better serve residents and commuters, including a multi-purpose plaza and green public spaces.

The main design proposal includes:

• Prioritizing pedestrians by raising and adding crosswalks to reorganize vehicle flow.
• Incorporating strategic landscaping, stormwater management, entrance point signage/wayfinding, and enhanced lighting.
• Decking over small sections of the Metro-North tracks and I-95.
• Refreshing the 1990s era bus terminal and parking structure with new cladding and glazed stair towers.
• Honoring the historic 19th-century train station by restoring the exterior to its original configuration and creating a double-height, mixed-use interior space.
• Installing solar panels on the parking garage roof, making the renovated station all-electric and Net Zero.

The plans were created in consultation with Amtrak, Metro-North Railroad and Westchester County, and will enhance connectivity between downtown, the west end, and east end. In addition, a variety of different uses will be introduced, including a podcast studio.

"As development partners, we see the redesign of the New Rochelle Train Station and Intermodal Transit Center as a pivotal investment in the city’s future," Commissioner of Development Adam Salgado said. "This project not only restores critical connections between neighborhoods but also integrates seamlessly with the ongoing residential and commercial growth happening in our downtown. Our thoughtful partnership with FXCollaborative has been instrumental in shaping a design that embraces innovative urban planning, helping to create a more vibrant, accessible, and inclusive city where residents and businesses alike can thrive."

New Rochelle says the redesign of the transit center is a cornerstone of the city’s downtown redevelopment strategy, and will position New Rochelle as a model for equitable and sustainable urban growth. The city says its zoning initiative has paved the way for up to 12 million square feet of new development, including 6,370 housing units, 1 million square feet of retail, 2.4 million square feet of office space, and 1,200 hotel rooms.

By 2027, New Rochelle will be the first city in Westchester County with direct Metro-North commuter rail access to both Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station. The completion of the MTA Penn Station Access project is expected to dramatically increase daily ridership to over 15,000. The redesigned transit center will allow the station to handle an influx of passengers, while improving regional access, job creation, and revitalization efforts.

The New Rochelle train station is the busiest station on the Metro-North New Haven Line in New York outside of NYC, with an estimated 6,000 outbound riders each weekday. It is also the only Amtrak stop in southern Westchester County, connecting passengers to the busy Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, DC. In addition, the transit center is also served by nine Westchester County Bee-Line bus routes, providing important connections to places in Yonkers, Mount Vernon, White Plains and the Bronx.

In order to gather public input on the redesign, New Rochelle has held interactive sessions at the transit center with commuters, visitors, and residents.

"Our vision for the New Rochelle Transit Center is to preserve its historic character while transforming it into a modern, pedestrian-friendly hub that reflects the vibrant spirit of the city," FXCollaborative's John Schuyler explained. "By integrating sustainable elements like the reuse of existing structures, targeting LEED Gold certification, and exploring the potential for a net-zero, all-electric train station, we aim to minimize the carbon footprint while maximizing the station's functionality. Through thoughtful design, we’re creating a space that seamlessly connects the dynamic and diverse neighborhoods of New Rochelle, while positioning it as a forward-thinking catalyst for growth and downtown revitalization."