Project Overview

On January 20, 2011, FASNY acquired the former Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains. The site includes the existing clubhouse and the 18-hole golf course. Our vision for this 129.69 acres property is to create a low-density, park-like campus that will enable us to consolidate all of our school divisions over a period of several years.

Our proposed plan:

1. Will be a Valuable Economic and Cultural Asset For White Plains

          • White Plains and Region become more attractive to global businesses

          • Generate employment and jobs

          • Stimulate business for specialized “Mom and Pop” shops in White Plains

          • Draw new consumers to White Plains businesses

          • Expand the housing market, and enhance long term property values

          • Bring well respected school to White Plains and add to the cultural diversity of the city

          • Donate the 60-acre Conservancy, worth $8 million, that would become the largest open space in White Plains

          • Assist in creating a plan for passive public uses of the Conservancy such as walking, jogging and biking, with ties
            into the city trail network

          • School ball-fields available for community use


2. Constitutes the Best Viable Alternative

          • Golf Club: Property on market for 2 years, FASNY only purchaser to reach closing
                    - 15% of the roughly 4,400 private clubs nationwide are having serious financial problems (National Golf
                        Foundation)

          • Proposed purchase by City for recreational facility voted down 6 to 1
                    - City could not afford $15 million
                    - City use included new competitive lap pool, new children’s pool and 350 parking spaces

          • Residential Development: “at least” 80 homes could be built on property under current zoning

          • New York State Law promotes and favors building of schools in all zoning districts, and as such, they must be
            “accommodated”

          • If school is not permitted, FASNY would mothball the land and seek to repackage and sell for investment purposes


3. Is an Environmentally Sensitive Use

          • Conservancy: maintains at least 60 acres of the Property as public open space and restores property to its natural
            state

          • Green Development: utilize sustainable development practices, including permeable paving, solar panels, use of
            recycled content materials, recycle rainwater for irrigation, and low flow fixtures

          • Improve storm water management: stop excessive watering and pesticide chemicals; create storm water retention
            ponds, vegetative swales, and bio-filtration systems