The Linc Project

Thanks to an $11.96 million award, Memorial Highway will undergo a revitalization effort to create a park. The project was announced by Senator Chuck Schumer, Mayor Noem Bramson, and Representative Jamaal Bowman in a press conference in November. 

Initiating the project has been a several-years-long battle by the city and state officials. Memorial Highway is an unfinished highway that was constructed in the 1950’s, denoted as a “highway to nowhere” by city officials and local residents. Memorial Highway was initially constructed to connect I-95 to the Hutchinson River Parkway, but the project was never finished and left a “hole in the community” according to Mayor Bramson. Memorial Highway also puts unnecessary stress on local roadways as stated by Senator Schumer’s letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigeg. 

The 11.96 million dollars will be used to transform the parkway into open parklands divided up into four zones. Those zones will include the Lincoln Park Connector, which will highlight the history and culture of Memorial Highway and connect people from Lincoln Park to the Montefiore Hospital. The second zone will be known as the Lincoln Community Zone, providing a recreational space for pick-up sports and seating for spectators. The third zone, known as the Market Zone, is designed specifically for small businesses and regional farms to sell their goods. The fourth zone will be known as Library Walk and will connect the area to the New Rochelle Public Library. Lastly, an exercise terrain area will include outdoor exercise equipment, green beds, and an urban fitness trail. There will also be a bite and pedestrian path through the entire region.

There are currently no concrete plans as to how road traffic will change with the project. One idea mentioned in the plan is to convert North Avenue to a one-way street and a remaining portion of Memorial Highway into a one-way street with traffic moving in the opposite direction. Aside from traffic concerns, elected officials are hopeful for the potential impact of the project on the local area.