The changing face of Bedford Hills

Adams Street as seen from the Bedford Hill train station.

By JEFF MORRIS 

The face of downtown Bedford Hills is likely to undergo some dramatic changes in the not-too-distant future, particularly along Adams Street, where two multistory apartment buildings are being planned, along with a signature mural.

Bedford Hills was hit particularly hard by the pandemic and the resulting dramatic drop in commuter traffic. The town has been trying to find ways to inject more life into the hamlet for years, but while infrastructure improvements were made, including the introduction of sewers and new sidewalks, vitality has been slow to follow. Now, however, it appears that the trajectory of the hamlet may be on the upswing.

Artist’s conception of the apartment building planned for 61-85 Adams St., Bedford Hills. THE HELMES GROUP

61-85 Adams St.

A proposal for a two-story, 10-unit apartment building at 61-85 Adams St., Bedford Hills, was granted preliminary site plan approval by the Planning Board on Sept. 14. 

Planned are 10 apartments — eight one-bedroom and two two-bedroom, including two classified as affordable. There are currently two commercial buildings on the site, both of which would be demolished. Both structures had been determined to be antiquated and not usable. The approved plan calls for a sidewalk to be extended up past the new building.

A rendering of a proposal for a 12-unit apartment building at 59 Adams St. T. ABILLAMA AND ASSOCIATES

59 Adams St.

While there are plans for a 12-unit apartment building at 59 Adams St., this proposal for what would be a four or five-story building has run into some pushback from the Planning Board due to concerns about its size and massing of the facade. First introduced last year, the design has already undergone revisions, such that after initial opposition by the Bedford Hills Fire Department, it has since received its blessing. It is likely to undergo more changes to further reduce its street impact before it achieves any kind of approval. Nonetheless, it seems probable there will be an apartment building on the site.

The brick wall on Adams Street of Bedford Grab & Go, soon to be covered by a mural. JEFF MORRIS PHOTOs

Grab & Go mural

For months, the Town Board has been discussing a plan to have a mural painted on the brick wall facing the train station at 1 Adams St., home to Bedford Grab & Go. A working group was formed to solicit proposals and narrow down finalists to create the mural, which will be funded through some remaining ARPA funds and Downtown Improvement Grant funding, in an effort to beautify and enliven the downtown to attract businesses and visitors. 

As of Oct. 6, when the Town Board approved the text of a potential contract, the committee was said to be very close to making a final selection. At press time, Chief of Staff Lisa Burke told The Recorder that “the workgroup has selected a finalist but we are in the final stages of working out a contract and making sure the selected muralist can work within our timeframe.” The contract calls for an Oct. 31 target date for installation of the project, but with completion no later than Dec. 31.

The Bedford Hills train station.

Bedford Hills train station

At the center of Depot Plaza, and considered a key piece of hamlet revitalization, sits the Bedford Hills train station. The town leases the building from the MTA and has been attempting to find a tenant for this historic piece of transit history.

In August, the Town Board approved engaging a real estate attorney who has experience working with the MTA in an effort to facilitate negotiations. The attorney was to provide advice on how to move forward with getting a tenant in the train station, modifying the town’s lease, or potentially even trying to gain ownership of the property in order to make improvements to the building.

A “neighborhood bar & grill” has been approved for the vacant store at 19 Babbitt Road.

New restaurant

Meanwhile, around the corner and across the street at 19 Babbitt Road, what has been described as “a classic small neighborhood bar & grill-style restaurant” was granted final site plan approval by the Planning Board on Sept. 14. Located in a currently vacant space that was formerly an insurance office, and next to a barbershop, it is to operate seven days a week for lunch and dinner, with full bar service. No name or opening date has yet been announced.