Renaissance Plaza Fountain and Open Space Incubator Project (2005 Main Street)

City of White Plains (Winner)
County: Westchester County
Population: 50,000 +
City Hall: (914) 422-1200

Renaissance Plaza, a 21st Century water feature and open space incubator, serves as the centerpiece of the Downtown district of White Plains. The area of the water fountain prior to the construction of Renaissance Plaza was dangerous, unsightly, and discouraged pedestrian activity in the downtown. Renaissance Plaza creates open space linkages throughout the city and serves to unite different commercial areas, activating an area once barren and unsafe, and is home to a state of the art water feature with choreographed music, lights, and leaping fountains. The $3.5 million redesigned fountain and plaza was constructed with funds raised from public sources and private developer contributions, and is a stunning example of the power of public and private partnerships. Renaissance Plaza employed Urban Renewal Agency resources and private developer financing, which allowed for the development of the project without using local tax dollars.

The fountain is also home to the City of White Plains first open-space incubator, which houses an indoor/outdoor Starbucks that services the park year round. The city receives $30,000 annually from its licensing agreement with Starbucks, funds which have been earmarked for the acquisition of additional open space. The city's Open Space Initiative, the first of its kind in the State of New York, has proven to be remarkably successful. Money from the open space incubator built on Renaissance Plaza has assisted in the acquisition of nearly 45 acres of open space, which stands as the largest addition of open space to the city's inventory in more than 25 years. Not only does Renaissance Plaza create new life in the downtown, it is a park that helps create more parks.á Renaissance Plaza is maintained cooperatively by the Business Improvement District (BID) and the city. The City of White Plains programs the fountain with concerts and other events. A full cross section of White Plains residents and visitors meet day and night to watch the fountains, visit the cafe, lounge on the grass, listen to the concerts or enjoy special events.