From the Executive Director
Spring technically arrives twice. Meteorologists marked it on March 1. Astronomers are waiting for the vernal equinox around March 20 — when day and night are nearly equal.
So yes, spring has two official start dates — one on the calendar and one in the sky.
But here in New Rochelle, it begins when the energy shifts. When the light lingers a little longer. When the days stretch out and downtown starts to feel ready for what’s next.
As Executive Director of the Downtown New Rochelle Business Improvement District, I feel that shift too. It’s something we work toward every day. The BID’s Clean Streets Team is a visible and valuable presence downtown, working every day to keep our streets clean, welcoming, and well cared for — so that everyone who comes downtown, from families with kids to business owners checking in on their blocks, feels at home.
And with the New Rochelle Police Department’s bike and foot patrols serving as a consistent presence across the district, that sense of safety and community is something you can feel the moment you arrive.
In this issue, we highlight a powerful act of service from members of the New Rochelle Police Department, a new small business grant opportunity, and community programming across downtown.
The season is changing — and so is the energy across our city.
— Anne Gold
Executive Director
Downtown New Rochelle BID
A powerful journey, a meaningful cause — and how our community can help before April 1.
This May, members of the New Rochelle Police Department will take part in a powerful journey — riding bicycles from New York City to Washington, D.C., to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
Led locally by Police Commissioner Neil Reynolds, the ride brings together hundreds of officers from across the country under the banner of Law Enforcement United (L.E.U.), an organization dedicated to remembering fallen officers while supporting the families and colleagues they leave behind.
For New Rochelle, this mission carries deep meaning. The department has lost ten officers in the line of duty — a legacy of service and sacrifice that continues to shape our community today.
Among the riders are officers who serve in New Rochelle’s downtown, where residents and visitors regularly see them working to keep the community safe. And that presence is about to get even stronger. The City of New Rochelle has confirmed that the existing kiosk at Ruby Dee Park will be renovated and converted into a dedicated police outpost — a community-facing hub designed to make officers more approachable and visible in the heart of downtown. Combined with an expanded e-bike, bicycle, and foot patrol program also included in the City’s 2026 budget, it’s an exciting moment for downtown safety and community connection.
Their participation in the NYC-to-DC ride reflects the same spirit of service that defines policing throughout the city — showing that the commitment to community extends far beyond daily patrol.
The Downtown New Rochelle Business Improvement District is proud to help share and support this meaningful effort and encourages the community to stand behind the officers as they prepare for their journey.
Every donation — large or small — helps honor the lives of service while supporting the families and communities who carry their legacy forward.
Support the Ride
📅 Fundraising Deadline: April 1
Please consider supporting the New Rochelle officers participating in this national ride honoring fallen officers and supporting their families.
Donate to the Team New Rochelle Ride here:
https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/w109p8
A Downtown Tradition on Two Wheels
Last year, NRBID highlighted the return of New Rochelle’s Downtown Bicycle Patrol and the long history of bike policing in our city — a tradition dating back to 1899 and continuing today through officers who serve our community every day.
Read the full story:
New Rochelle’s Downtown Bike Patrol: Visibility, Mobility, and Community in Motion
It Happened Here: Life in New Rochelle During the American Revolution
Presented by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts
Lumen Winter Gallery, New Rochelle Public Library
March 2 – 27, 2026
Gallery Talk: Sunday, March 15 at 3 PM
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, this exhibit reminds us that history didn’t just happen elsewhere — it happened here in New Rochelle.
In October 1776, nearly 10,000 British troops gathered in our city before the Battle of White Plains. For seven years, New Rochelle became part of the “Neutral Ground,” where loyalties were divided and daily life was shaped by conflict and uncertainty.
Through historic records, maps, eyewitness accounts, and contemporary photography, It Happened Here connects Revolutionary history to the streets we walk today.
This timely exhibit offers an opportunity to reflect on New Rochelle’s place in the nation’s founding story.
Learn more at newrochellearts.org
At the Library This Month
The New Rochelle Public Library continues to be one of downtown’s most active gathering spaces — bringing together music, theater, lectures, workshops, and family programming all under one roof.
From live performances in the Ossie Davis Theatre to engaging educational programs and community events, the library remains a place where culture and connection thrive.
Below are just two upcoming highlights — visit nrpl.org to explore the full calendar of programs and events.
VoiceScapes Audio Theater
Live audio storytelling that blends voice, character, and imagination into a uniquely immersive theatrical experience.
Let them know you’re coming, register at bit.ly/NRPL_VoiceScapes
Blues Heritage Band
An evening of high-energy, roots-driven blues celebrating the rich traditions of American music.
Downtown businesses: don’t miss this opportunity.
The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program, in partnership with LISC, is awarding $5,000 grants to 25 small businesses across New York State to help support growth, technology, marketing, staffing, and expansion.
Deadline: March 31, 2026
To apply, businesses must complete one Verizon Digital Ready course or event to unlock the application.
🔗 https://www.lisc.org/our-initiatives/small-business/our-work/verizon-small-business-digital-ready/grant-program/
If you are a New Rochelle business interested in applying and would like assistance reviewing your application, please reach out. We are happy to help.