Feb. 12, 2014: The Bronxville Board of Trustees took a first, tangible step toward upgrading the village's department of public works (DPW) facility on Palumbo Place. At its regular meeting on February 10, the board approved a resolution to hire Calgi Construction Management of White Plains to determine whether modifying the current DPW facility is feasible or whether a new complex should be built.
The current facility, built in 1942, is not large enough to house expensive trucks and equipment or provide adequate space for DPW employees to perform repairs.
Trustee Anne W. Poorman noted that restriction of Palumbo Place to one-way traffic grew from concern that DPW employees were "literally lying in the busy two-way 'cut-through' street repairing vehicles."
Trucks and equipment, which sit outside in all types of weather, suffer from the extremes and tend to have shorter useful lives. "We shoot ourselves in the foot," Poorman said, "because we buy really expensive equipment." She stated that although the DPW facility upgrade has been a topic of board discussion for approximately five years, budget realities have led to its deferment.
Calgi Construction Management, as part of its $23,550 contract, will meet with the appropriate DPW staff to prepare a detailed analysis of space and equipment needs; review existing space for possible modification to meet current and future needs; develop alternative site designs; and prepare schematic plans showing overall layout and room sizes for village review. Calgi will engage the services of an architect as well as electrical and mechanical engineers in developing a comprehensive plan for the site.
Harold Porr, village administrator, pointed out that since DPW operations cannot shut down during a renovation, Calgi will explore upgrading one area while the other stays in operation and will then overhaul the second. The DPW complex houses a salt barn.
Porr pointed out that the village has a positive track record with Calgi, as the company served the construction manager for the village hall renovation.
Deputy Mayor Robert Underhill stated that a key goal of the evaluation is to determine possibilities for the DPW facility given the magnitude of capital expenditure involved in the upgrade alternatives. He added that long-term financing for the duration of the project would be favorable in the current economic environment.
"I think we've seen in the last couple of months how important DPW is to the safety, well-being, and ambience of Bronxville," Poorman stated. "They do a fabulous job."
Pictured here: Current DPW facility.
Photo by Carol P. Bartold
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
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Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400