To the editor,

Last week many of us saw the foundation starting to be laid at 379 South Riverside Ave. ( former Nappy’s) for a new mixed use building approved under the 2013 Harmon zoning law amendment.

Soon we will see a new three story building with apartments above commercial on the first floor. This type of development, sometimes called Transit Oriented Development or TOD, has become very popular in other Westchester municipalities providing much needed housing in areas that are walkable to commuting trains and shopping.

People living in these mixed use buildings help the local businesses by providing a base of customers within their neighborhood.

While the Village eventually defeated a lawsuit launched by a small group, it was at cost to Village taxpayers of $479,000 in legal fees and two years of delayed implementation, Croton is beginning to see its results and joining other municipalities in enabling this much sought after type of housing.

Unfortunately, many of the Croton United Party’s leaders opposed this rezoning–including our current Mayor when he was a Trustee and one of their candidates this year. However, I believe that the recent site plan applications in Harmon utilizing the amended zoning and the current construction point to an economic revitalization for this area.

With the completion of the building at 379 South Riverside Ave, it will be a model for other similar development in the Harmon/South Riverside area. I look forward to it.

Ann Gallelli