YORKTOWN HEIGHTS – Demolition of portions
of the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights began Friday to make
way for a remodeled and modernized shopping center that opened more than
30 years ago.
Eric DiBartolo, president of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce, expects
the mall “to once again become an economic engineer for Yorktown
and the surrounding communities.”
The $60 million project is expected to be an economic boon for the entire
region, said Westchester County Legislator John Testa of Peekskill.
Demolition begins in portions of the more than 30-year-old mall
before major renovations begin
Town Supervisor Michael Grace said the project will make Yorktown “a
destination that is once again open for business.”
State Senator Terrence Murphy was among those who attended a ceremonial
groundbreaking on Friday saying the renovated mall will grow the economy.
“This is part of the economic development that I have been working
on and as chairman of the Rules and Regulations Committee for New York
State, I have been going through all of the regulations for small business
owners and there are 140,000 pages of rules and regulations in New York
State. There is a reason why we are ranked last; we are ranked 50th of
the business-friendly states,” he said.
Murphy hopes that as regulations are eased, it will become easier for
businesses to operate.
This project will generate “a number of good-paying jobs and reduce
the tax burden on residents of this town.”
The Jefferson Valley Mall’s revitalization will include a new exterior
look, a contemporary food court, new stores, a family restroom and nursing
room.
