Planning board backs referral for downtown transit‑oriented arts district in Mount Vernon

The Mount Vernon City Planning Board on March 5, 2025 agreed to ask staff to send favorable comments to City Council on a proposed zoning text amendment and map amendment to create a downtown transit‑oriented arts district, a change the applicant says would allow two 12‑story buildings with 272 apartments, ground‑floor arts and youth spaces and on‑site parking at the former YMCA site in downtown Mount Vernon.

The referral matters because it is an early step in the city’s zoning process: the board’s comments will go to the City Council, which will consider the formal text and map amendments before any site plan or building permits can proceed. If approved, the rezoning would enable a mixed‑use project the developer says will replace a vacant, contaminated building, add housing near transit and create community‑program space for arts and youth organizations.

Trinity (the project team) and its counsel presented the rezoning concept, showing a two‑building plan with buildings fronting South Second and South Third avenues, separated by an open courtyard that will include parking and outdoor arts…