Scarsdale Forum Calls for Reopening of Discussion on Development at the Freightway Site

The future of the Freightway Garage and the adjacent Village-owned land continues to hang in the balance. The possibility of developing the site into housing, retails spaces, parking and other community facilities was discussed for several years. However, the issue was tabled in January 2020 by Mayor Samwick after the community could fail to come to consensus on a host of issues raised by potential development.

Since that time, the aging garage continues to deteriorate and its condition will need to be addressed.

A new report from the Downtown Revitalization Committee of the Scarsdale Forum calls for the Village Board to reopen the discussion about the garage.

Below find their press release:

The Downtown Revitalization and Municipal Services Committees of the Scarsdale Forum have prepared a Report recommending that the Village of Scarsdale renew efforts to study the potential redevelopment of the Freightway site

You can read a copy of the full report which is available for download here.

According to Downtown Revitalization Chair Susan Douglass and Municipal Services Chair Madelaine Eppenstein: “The Forum’s Report urges the Village Trustees and the Scarsdale community to look closely at the site, consider its potential, and revive the process of reimagining improved uses of this large tract of land.”

The Report makes the following recommendations to the Village:

1. Engage the community by providing an updated summary of the work done to date and the reasons for continuing the redevelopment project.

2. Address the need for development promptly, considering that portions of the garage are already cordoned off due to safety issues and the likelihood of ever- increasing costs to address the future of the site.

3. Assess future parking and e-charging needs of motorists and users of bicycles, scooters, and other motorized vehicles.

4. Determine preferred uses for the site and issue an RFP for developers who will engage in a community-based development project.

5. Consider multi-unit housing as part of the site development plan and modify zoning as needed.

6. Reassess the impact of multi-unit housing on the School District and propose limits on unit sizes and occupancy to avoid negatively impacting the schools.

7. Establish an accelerated timetable for development of a strategic plan and implementation of the project to prevent escalating costs far into the future.

For more information about the Scarsdale Forum and how to join us please visit our website at www.scarsdaleforum.org.