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- On The Record: Modernizing Rye's Master Plan
On The Record: Modernizing Rye's Master Plan
Council taps firm to lead long-stalled reboot
Good morning. ☕ This is your Thursday, March 5, Rye Record newsletter, curating some of the latest headlines across the city of Rye.
Today’s Weather Channel local forecast is rainy with a high of 40 degrees 🌧️ Check out the forecast for the rest of the week here.
Planning for reality. Rye’s 40-plus-year wait for an updated comprehensive plan may soon be coming to an end.
The City Council approved a resolution last night to contract with AKRF Planning to create a new vision for the city’s future, modernizing a plan that’s been in place since 1985 — the second-oldest in Westchester County.
“Having an up-to-date plan that captures the vision for Rye going forward, and which recognizes both our legacy and needs of residents today, and in the future, is absolutely essential,” Mayor Josh Nathan said at Wednesday’s meeting.
AKRF proposed an 18-month timeline for a finalized plan, and Nathan said, “We’re going to work very hard to honor that clock.”
The White Plains-based development consulting firm has provided municipal planning services to over 25 New York communities, including Mamaroneck, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, Yonkers, and Pelham. In 2025, AKRF completed a comprehensive plan for Mount Vernon, which previously had the county’s oldest plan, created in 1968.
“The world has changed, Rye has changed, and the people living here are very different,” Nathan said. “A good plan serves as a lens or strategy by which future councils, boards, and commissions can make important decisions for how best to serve our community, how to use our space, how to support preservation of our legacy, and how we can foster good progress for everyone.”
Rye’s master plan hasn’t been updated since it was drafted in 1985.
-Today’s newsletter is curated by Chris Marshall
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RYE RECORD STUDIOS 🎙
IN OTHER NEWS
NY’S SAFEST CITY. A new ranking lists Rye as the safest city in the state, ending Bedford’s two-year run in the top spot. See what helped Rye leap from third. -Record staff
SKATING ON. The Garnets fell 3-2 in overtime of Sunday’s Section 1 championship, but it didn’t end their season. Rye was the lone team to receive an at-large bid to this weekend’s state tournament quarterfinals. Find out why. -Steven Kearney
HARRISON MAN MISSING. Brian McGillicuddy went missing during a hike in the Scottish Highlands, prompting a large-scale search when the 64-year-old Harrison resident failed to return as planned on Feb. 19. Get the details here. -Record staff
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CITY
John Sullivan has worked for the City of Rye since April 2024. Photo courtesy city of Rye
John Sullivan has been promoted to Rye assistant city manager.
Sullivan was first hired as assistant to the Rye city manager in April 2024 by former City Manager Greg Usry. Since that time, Sullivan has worked across departments leading projects and initiatives as a team member in the Office of the City Manager.
“John has been an invaluable asset to me and the city since joining our team in 2024,” said City Manager Brian Shea. “He consistently steps up and brings a thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach to complex municipal issues.”
-Record staff
SPORTS
Carson Miller and Henry Shoemaker will play for another section title. Photo/shotsofthegame.com
The fifth-seeded Garnets looked nothing like underdogs in a 60-49 upset of top-seeded Suffern in Monday’s section semifinals.
Suffern (20-3) beat Rye (18-5) by 21 points in January, but in the rematch at Westchester County Center, the Garnets stepped up when it mattered most.
“Defense is the strength of our team,” said Rye coach Tom Proudian, “and we just knew if we were fortunate to get another crack at Suffern, that we’d have a really good chance to beat them.”
The Garnets face No. 3 Clarkstown North (20-3) in the championship at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
-by Steven Kearney
BUSINESS & ORGS
A Rye dining staple announced its closing last Friday. Photo courtesy Facebook
On The Way Café, a luncheonette that dished out breakfasts and lunches to Rye diners since the 1980s under several owners, served its last meal on Feb. 15.
Co-owners George Degenhardt, his wife Grace, and their nephew, Joseph Mortelliti, officially announced the closing on the café’s website and social media Friday.
The family, who owned the café for the last 16 years, cited two primary reasons for its demise: an inability to attract customers at pre-pandemic levels, and rising rent, food, and labor costs.
“Although many restaurants in Rye are filled at dinner, tastes have changed and there isn’t as much business for a place like ours, which only serves breakfast and lunch,” George Degenhardt said.
-by David Hessekiel