White Plains, NY

The site of one of the oldest settlements in New York State, the city of White Plains is considered a major suburb of New York City. According to 2007 estimates, the city is home to roughly 57,000 residents. Median household incomes are in the vicinity of $71,000, substantially higher than the state average. In recent years, White Plains has seen a spike in population, as young professionals began moving into the city, drawn by the short commute by train and the lower cost of living. In spite of this general prosperity, studies have shown that more than 12 percent of the population of White Plains lives below the poverty line.

Known for its rich history, White Plains was the site of a critical Revolutionary War battle, which took place on October 28, 1776. Although England prevailed in the encounter, General George Washington and his troops managed to elude capture, thereby mitigating the impact of their defeat. Historians have noted that if Washington had been captured, the course of the war would have been decisively altered. The events of October 1776 are commemorated each year by the White Plains Historical Society.

White Plains Airport in Westchester County provides a convenient alternative to the major airports of La Guardia and Kennedy in New York City. The facility serves more than one million travelers annually, with daily, non-stop flights to several major American and Canadian cities.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The city is home to 31 neighborhood associations, the members of which belong to the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations (WPCNA). The purpose of the council is to enhance the quality of life in all city neighborhoods. As an advisory council, the WPCNA helps facilitate the sharing of information between citizens and government officials, while also promoting community involvement.

In recent years, downtown White Plains has seen major renovations of some of its older commercial properties, among them the former General Foods headquarters, now segmented and leased to smaller businesses. The City Center White Plains development, built on the site of a former Macy's department store, contains two apartment and condominium towers, comprising roughly 600,000 square-feet of commercial, restaurant, and entertainment space, as well as extensive parking facilities.

Situated downtown, the recently-opened Renaissance Square includes a Ritz-Carlton Hotel and more than 400 condominiums.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Economically, White Plains has benefited enormously from the many large corporations that have relocated their headquarters to the city over the years. These companies have included Combe (manufacturer of grooming products for men), Ichan Enterprises, ITT Corporation, and Starwood Hotels, a chain of luxury resort properties.

FOR VISITORS

The White Plains Historical Society plays a critical role in preserving and promoting the city's heritage. Some of the city's most notable historical landmarks include:

• Dating back to the early 1700s, the Jacob Purdy House is one of the oldest existing structures in the city. It is noteworthy for having housed General George Washington during two critical phases of the Revolutionary War. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and now serves as the headquarters for the White Plains Historic Society.
• Situated on the site of the former First Methodist Meeting House, the White Plains Rural Cemetery was first formed to 1854, and has served the city for more than 150 years. It is estimated that roughly 24,000 people are buried in the cemetery.
• Built in 1909, the White Plains Armory is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The castle-like structure stands on the site where the Declaration of Independence was first read to the citizens of New York.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• The Westchester Ethical Culture Center is located in White Plains. The center is dedicated to promoting ideals of ethics and civic responsibility within the White Plains community.
• Originally constructed in 1893, the Percy Grainger Home and Studio served as the composer's primary residence between 1921 and 1961. The house still contains many of Grainger's personal possessions, including the wheelbarrow he used to transport his luggage to and from the train station, and the fireproof vault where he stored his music manuscripts. The house has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1993, and is maintained by the International Percy Grainger Society.

EDUCATION

The Pace University School of Law, along with the university's prestigious Graduate Center, are both located in White Plains. The city is also home to a campus of Mercy College, a private liberal arts school. The College of Westchester offers a wide range of degree programs. The nearby SUNY-Purchase campus has a world-class reputation for its liberal arts and sciences programs.

LOCAL MEDIA

White Plains is home to several AM radio stations:

• WLIE 540 Business News
• WGSM 740 Asian
• WNYC 820 Public Radio
• WHLI 1100 Nostalgia
• WFAS 1230 Nostalgia

There are also several FM radio stations that operate out of the city:

• WARY 88.1 College
• WNYC 93.9 WNYC Public Radio
• WKJY 98.3 Adult Contemporary
• WFAS 103.9 Adult Contemporary
• WXPK 107.1 Adult Album Alternative

Local television stations in White Plains include:

• WNYW 5 FOX
• WCBS-TV 2 CBS
• WABC-TV 7 ABC
• WWOR-TV 9 FOX
• WNBC 4 NBC
• WNET Educational Broadcasting Corporation

Newspapers serving White Plains:

• White Plains Journal News
• Westchester County Weekly
• White Plains CitizeNet Reporter (online only)