Yorktown Planning Department Wins Award for Train Station Restoration

The Westchester Municipal Planning Federation will give the Yorktown Planning Department a historic preservation award for the renovated Yorktown Heights Train Station.

Yorktown will receive a Planning Achievement Award for Historic Preservation and Restoration during the Federation’s 47th Annual Planning Awards program on November 29.

“I extend congratulations to you and the Town of Yorktown for this outstanding achievement,” wrote Federation director-at-large Janet Giris in a September 20 letter to Supervisor Matt Slater.

The $467,000 restoration of the former train station at Railroad Park preserved the original depot, which is the only one of its kind along the route of the former New York and Northern Railway that has not been significantly altered since it was built in 1877. Planning for the renovation began in 2004 and the project was completed in 2020.

“The Yorktown Planning Department is known for its high level of professionalism and skill,” said Supervisor Slater. “This recognition is well deserved and adds to the pedigree of an accomplished department. Many of our Town’s current and former leaders worked on this project over a 16-year period and I’m grateful that they persevered. Our residents are thrilled that an important symbol of our history and our Town’s development has come back to life.”

In the 20th century the railroad serving the former Yorktown Heights Station was nicknamed the Old Put. It was abandoned starting in 1958 due to low ridership. Unlike the existing commuter railroads in Westchester County, the Old Put line lacked a direct connection to New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, which hurt ridership throughout its existence. Most of the former roadbed has been converted for rail trail use.

Supervisor Slater gave Yorktown Planning Director John Tegeder a proclamation for shepherding the project through several administrations. Tegeder estimated that he has worked to advance the renovation for 20 years and he called the ribbon cutting a personal and professional accomplishment.

“It is really something that I hold high as a great achievement for the Town of Yorktown,” said Tegeder last year. “This building really set the stage for the premier hamlet in the Town of Yorktown, which is Yorktown Heights. When the train came through there was really nothing here….This train station and the train that came through here started this village.”

The construction on the station was done by Clemco Construction of Yorktown. Some of Clemco’s other local historic restorations include the Rye Meeting House and Philipsburg Manor Mill.

Walter Sedovic Architects of Irvington oversaw the restoration design. The firm’s clients include Kykuit in Pocantico Hills and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Pictured [L to R]: Tom Clemmens of Clemco Construction; Jill Gotthelf and Walter Sedovic from Walter Sedovic Architects; Councilman Vishnu Patel; former Assistant Planner, Tom D'Agostino; Town Supervisor Matt Slater; Councilman Tom Diana; Town Planner Robyn Steinberg; Director of Planning John Tegeder; Nancy Milanese and Nancy Calicchia, Planning Department staff; and Councilman Ed Lachterman.