The Waterfront Vision: The Yonkers waterfront will be an inviting place, both from the land and the water, combining opportunities for all people to enjoy the historic Hudson River and the varied residential, commercial and recreational uses
Goals and Objectives: Goals and policies are important mechanisms that will guide the development of the Yonkers� waterfront over the next decade. Input from City representatives, community leaders and the community at large have helped to shape the goals, objectives and policies for the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP). The goals and objectives of the plan reflect of the vision of the waterfront and the entire waterfront community: both as they relate to the vision today and in the future. The following goals and objectives provide the City with an important foundation and guidance in addressing specific waterfront issues, obstacles and concerns.
General Goals
To create a mixed-use waterfront that optimizes the City of Yonkers� location on the Hudson River � one of the State�s most significant waterbodies
| To identify specific water dependent uses along the Yonkers� waterfront and encourage their development |
| To designate locations within the study area for specific activities and encourage development of residential, commercial, office, open space and recreational uses |
| To encourage redevelopment and improvements to existing structures, facilities and landscapes along the Yonkers� waterfront |
| To enhance the overall character of the entire waterfront and create a contiguous experience for all users that focuses on appropriate programming, access, amenities and landscaping |
Goal: To establish and sustain long-term partnerships for the on-going redevelopment of the waterfront
| To coordinate water related development and activities with surrounding municipalities to ensure the City is aware of decisions that may effect their development plans |
| To develop relationships with local grass-roots organizations to ensure the City is a leader in decisions that could impact the quality of life and the condition of their waterfront |
| To work with surrounding governmental agencies and organizations with jurisdiction along the waterfront on all future plans |
Economic Development Goals
Goal To strive for sustainable economic development that will have the greatest economic and social impacts on the City of Yonkers
| To recognize the potential of the waterfront as an important catalyst for developing value-added land that will stimulate retail and commercial activities and create valuable waterfront land |
| To engage existing businesses and developers in future planning and development to implement the strategies outlined in the LWRP |
| To plan for economic development on a regional basis with surrounding communities recognizing the potential of the entire Hudson River waterfront |
| To provide diverse housing opportunities along the waterfront that will stimulate a market for future commercial and retail development |
| To recognize the potential development opportunities surrounding the rail stations and other inter-modal transportation facilities in Yonkers and link this development to the waterfront |
Goal: To promote tourism in Yonkers that will attract more visitors, both
locally and regionally, to the City of Yonkers
| To promote Yonkers to residents in New York City, Westchester County and all of New York State by focusing on the unique history and recreational/cultural aspects of the Hudson River |
| To link potential waterfront activities along the historic Hudson waterfront and the Central Business District with related tourism opportunities elsewhere in the City |
| To offer a variety of recreational and educational opportunities not widely offered in other communities in the region that will attract people to the Yonkers� waterfront |
| To recognize the harbor potentials of the Yonkers� waterfront and promote its services |
Waterfront Natural Resources Goals
Goal: To protect and enhance environmental and natural resources along the waterfront
| To implement best management practices that minimize potential environmental impacts on natural resources, while increasing usage and understanding of these resources, within the LWRP boundaries |
| To protect significant environmentally sensitive areas from further development and reinstate natural areas that contribute to an improved character of the waterfront |
| To identify significant water habitats and determine enhancements that should be considered |
General Environmental Goals
Goal: To create a healthy, livable environment along the waterfront on both the land and water side
| To identify brownfields along the waterfront and determine potentials for clean-up and redevelopment |
| To enhance natural areas, visually and physically, that will promote public use and enjoyment of the Hudson River |
Goal: To provide a natural, living educational resource for the community
| To develop a �living learning environment� along the waterfront that encourages visitors to explore the natural characteristics of the Hudson River |
| To maintain the urban and natural ecosystems along the waterfront so that generations may enjoy the educational opportunities available in Yonkers |
| To work with local school districts and not-for-profit organizations to implement programs that will be beneficial and contribute to their educational goals |
Recreation and Cultural Goals
Goal: To provide programs, activities and facilities, which instill community pride and encourage involvement
| To view the waterfront as a public gathering area where small and large-scale celebrations and community events will take place |
| To encourage residents to spend more time at the City�s watefront |
| To improve safety and security along the waterfront, ensuring users of facilities and program participants feel comfortable and at ease |
| To ensure the on-going maintenance and upkeep of waterfront facilities and public open space areas for continued enjoyment by the public |
Goal: To improve public access to the City�s waterfront, both physically and
visually, and encourage connections between the waterfront and residential
neighborhoods, businesses and nearby attractions
| To highlight, protect and enhance the scenic, historic and cultural resources along the Hudson River |
| To establish access points to the waterfront in regular intervals |
| To increase the number of recreational opportunities along the Hudson River that will bring people to the waterfront |
| To develop a continuous, green access system along the waterfront that enables and encourages people to walk easily and safely along the waters edge |
| To create a cohesive trail system which links all waterfront amenities with surrounding developments, allowing people to move freely and effortlessly from the waterfront to other key development areas within the City |
| To implement a way finding program that would clearly identify waterfront destinations, access points, pedestrian and bicycle routes and connections to surrounding uses |
| To create a green/open space that links the waterfront with other significant open spaces in the City of Yonkers |