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On Monday, the company announced that it had purchased the property from Davenis Realty Inc. for $3 million, which they plan on transforming from an area of industrial uses to more residential and retail developments.
Metro-North will still own the station’s platform, but the building had been privately owned since the 1950s. According to MacQuesten officials, “a reimagined Metro-North station will serve as the focal point for a renaissance of a large surrounding area."
At just 13.1 miles away, Mount Vernon West is the closest Metro-North station on the Harlem Line to Manhattan.
“This is an underutilized property that cries out for revitalization,” MacQuesten President Rella Fogliano said in a statement. “The key to revitalizing and reimagining our urban areas is capitalizing on the mass transit opportunities that are already in place.”
Fogliano added that Mount Vernon West was once a jewel of Metro-North, but over the years, it has fallen into a state of disrepair.
“Over the years, the area around Mount Vernon West became industrialized, and as time went on, the station suffered from a combination of factors, including insufficient maintenance and decreased ridership,” she added. “But with today’s emphasis on mass transit-oriented development, we see a bright future for this location.”
This is just the latest opportunity MacQuesten has pursued in Mount Vernon. The Modern, an 81-unit affordable housing development located down the block from the station on Mount Vernon Avenue is set to soon open. They are also waiting on a possible zoning change after purchasing a gas station adjacent to the station that they hope to transform into more residential housing.
According to MacQuesten Managing Director of Development, the company is researching various options for the station, including renovation and demolition, noting that environmental and historical reviews must first be conducted.
“This is an exciting time for Westchester’s cities, and Mount Vernon is very much a part of the revitalization and renewal trend that has been rapidly accelerating for the last several years,” Apicella said. “Having two train lines providing quick access in and out of Manhattan gives it a huge advantage.”
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