July 14, 2011--- Construction on a long-awaited amphitheater in Yonkers, part of the city's revitalization plan for its waterfront, officially got underway Thursday.   

County Executive Robert P. Astorino and Mayor Phil Amicone joined other officials at a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site, to mark the start of construction for a series of Hudson River Waterfront improvements at Trevor Park, including the new 450-seat public amphitheater with dramatic views of the Hudson River Palisades. Construction should be completed by spring 2012. The amphitheater is expected to open in June.

Westchester County provided the $7.5 million to make the project possible and will spend another $1 million to make a pedestrian connection between the Yonkers waterfront, the amphitheater and a Metro-North station, as part of the county's RiverWalk along the Hudson River.

"This is money well-spent," said Astorino. "Not only will it provide all county residents with a fabulous 'go-to' place, but it gives an important boost to the local economy of Westchester's largest city. During the construction phase, it will create about 82 new jobs, and once this amphitheater is completed, it will give an economic boost to the region. I can't wait to attend concerts and other events here."

Said Amicone, "We share the county's vision for a continuous public park along the length of the Hudson River and have made significant progress toward accomplishing that goal. This project will help us revitalize more than a half-mile of Yonkers' waterfront and connect it to access points north and south. And right in the middle of it will be one of the most beautiful and dramatic performance spaces in the Hudson Valley. I want to thank County Executive Astorino and the Board of Legislators for their commitment to this important project."

The $7.5 million amphitheater and parking garage is funded through the county's Yonkers waterfront capital project and will provide the local community with a beautiful new performance venue with dramatic Hudson River views.

The project will be complemented by a $1 million investment in a new Westchester RiverWalk segment linking the Metro-North Glenwood train station, the amphitheater and JFK Marina. The trailway is funded by the county's Legacy Program, which dedicates capital monies to acquire and improve parks and open space throughout Westchester. Specifically, this project will continue the Westchester RiverWalk, a planned 51.5-mile multi-faceted pathway paralleling the Hudson River in Westchester that will provide unfettered public access to the entire stretch of Westchester's Hudson River waterfront. Construction on this portion will begin next spring and take nine to 12 months.