Patch Chat: Should French School Move From Larchmont to White Plains

The French-America School of New York’s (FASNY) plans to consolidate their three campuses—located in Larchmont, Mamaroneck and Scarsdale— to the former site in White Plains is causing a stir in both Larchmont and White Plains for very different reasons.

Some White Plains residents are in fierce opposition of the project. They fear the change from a golf course to a K-12 campus will increase traffic; decrease property tax revenue; reduce surrounding property values; reduce quality of life; change the character of the neighborhood and exacerbate existing drainage problems and environmental issues—according to articles in White Plains Patch found  and .

While some in White Plains don’t want to see FASNY move into the site that is nestled into the residential Gedney Farms neighborhood; some in Larchmont don’t want to see FASNY leave its current site, located in the heart of town.

Larchmont business owners told Larchmont-Mamaroneck Patch that having FASNY in the community has helped their businesses thrive, and that their establishments may take a hit when FASNY leaves. French diplomats and employees of New York City corporations settled in Larchmont since the 1970s, according to Larchmont-Mamaroneck Patch. 

“If you hang out at the school or Larchmont Avenue during pick-up time, you can imagine that you are on vacation in Paris,” said Larchmont Mayor Josh Mandell.

According Larchmont-Mamaroneck Patch, FASNY is entrenched in Larchmont and a fixture in the community. Real the full story .

FASNY has promised to do the same in White Plains and has offered to share their facility and campus as community open space, and offered to collaborate and share services with White Plains High School.

However, some White Plains residents say FASNY is already shutting out the White Plains community by posting new keep out signs at entrances to their property, which is surrounded by homes. Some say they feel they can no longer enjoy the liberty to occasionally stroll the golf course grounds, which they used to when the site was under the ownership of Ridgeway Country Club.

What do you think?

• Do you think FASNY should leave Larchmont?
• Do think FASNY’s move would hurt or help White Plains?
• Are you a Larchmont, Scarsdale or Mamaroneck resident or businesses owner located near a FASNY campus? What do you think of FASNY’s presence in your town?
• Would FASNY be a part of the community, or would they shut the White Plains community out?

*This article is posted on both White Plains and Larchmont-Mamaroneck Patches