In Favor of Game On 365

Dear Scarsdale10583: I am writing as a 30 year Greenburgh resident who operates a business and has raised his family at our home on Wayside Drive, just off of Dobbs Ferry Road. My business partner and I currently own and operate the Westchester Golf Range, a facility that a large number of Greenburgh residents have enjoyed for over 60 years.

The Golf Range sits adjacent to 715 Dobbs Ferry Road, the site currently being considered for The Westchester Field House, a year-round, indoor sports facility. Like so many Greenburgh residents, I have watched the old Franks Nursery site languish for years and become a tax burden. As a neighbor, I have closely followed the development of this proposal, and after nearly two years of public deliberation I have come to strongly support it. After many public meetings, an open RFP, and a town-wide referendum overwhelmingly supported by two thirds of residents, it is clear that The Westchester Field House has the support of this community as well.

The project is a good fit for the immediate neighborhood and will maintain the recreational landscape along Dobbs Ferry Road. The proposed facility will complement Rumbrook Park, the Westchester Golf Range, Elmwood Country Club and Elmwood Day Camp, all of which help improve the quality of life for Greenburgh residents. Considering the alternatives, I cannot imagine a business better suited for that location.

Bringing The Westchester Field House to Greenburgh will also be good for local business, including the Golf Range. In a difficult economy, local businesses can finally look forward to a new, complementary business coming to our neighborhood. While most residents and business owners want to see real progress for Greenburgh, a handful of others have filed a lawsuit to stop this project for their own self-interests.

I am happy to see that the Town is looking to move this project forward and avoid expensive litigation and delays by planning to sell the Frank's Nursery site to Game On 365. The opposition, spearheaded by another local sports facility, motivated by commercial self-interest, will likely advocate to start the process over, with a new RFP for the site, or an open bidding process for the land. Either avenue will create unnecessary delays and result in the property remaining vacant for years to come. It would also raise uncertainty as to the type of development that may come to the neighborhood.

There is a public meeting at the Greenburgh Town Hall this Wednesday, January 9th, at 7:30pm, to discuss the Town's proposed action of selling 715 Dobbs Ferry Rd to Game On 365. I encourage all Greenburgh residents to support this action to help move this project forward.

As a resident, taxpayer, business owner and sports enthusiast, I encourage you to support this project and finally bring real progress to Greenburgh.

Steve Quagliano