Yonkers' city officials are seeking public input on a plan that could reshape one of Yonkers' busiest commercial corridors, with potential changes to housing, zoning, local businesses, and public spaces.
South Broadway could be on the verge of significant change, and Yonkers residents will have an opportunity tomorrow, November 5, to weigh in on what the future of the neighborhood should look like.
The City of Yonkers will host its second public meeting for the Investing in South Broadway initiative, an effort to explore new housing opportunities, strengthen local businesses, improve streets and public spaces, and guide future development along one of our city's most established commercial corridors.
The meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. at Silvio's Restaurant on 351 South Broadway, will give residents an early look at potential zoning changes and preliminary planning ideas shaped by community feedback.
What Is the City Proposing?
Launched earlier this year, the Investing in South Broadway initiative focuses on the corridor between Park Hill Avenue and Caryl Avenue, near the Bronx border.
The city has identified several priorities, including expanding housing options, supporting existing businesses, improving pedestrian safety and transportation, and preserving the neighborhood's character. The city is also taking a closer look at its zoning rules, including where new development is allowed and what can be built.
Current regulations vary across South Broadway. In the corridor's central district, for example, apartment buildings are generally not permitted as a new use, and building heights are limited to 40 feet. Other sections allow residential buildings reaching 80 or 120 feet. Changes to those restrictions could create new opportunities for additional residential and mixed-use development.
Why South Broadway, and Why Now?
In recent years, much of Yonkers' development has been concentrated along the Hudson River waterfront and downtown. Now, attention is turning to other parts of the city, including South Broadway.
The corridor is home to longtime businesses, restaurants, shops, medical offices, and residential buildings, along with vacant storefronts and properties that could be redeveloped. City officials are looking at ways to attract new investment to the area while addressing improvements to local streets and infrastructure.
Several residential projects are also being considered or planned along South Broadway, including affordable housing developments near Caryl Avenue and the South Broadway post office. But new development also brings concerns about rising costs, displacement, and what these changes could mean for the residents and small businesses already there.
What Could Change for Residents and Businesses?
Although specific proposals are still being developed, several issues are likely to shape the conversation:
Housing and affordability: New zoning could allow additional apartments and mixed-use buildings, potentially expanding housing options. Residents may want to know how much of that housing would be affordable and what protections could be available for existing tenants.
Local businesses: The city wants to bring new investment to South Broadway, but what that means for existing businesses, particularly those facing rising rents, remains an important question.
Traffic and pedestrian safety: Street improvements, safer sidewalks, lighting, and transportation connections are among the initiative's top priorities. The future of the long-discussed South Broadway Greenway, which envisions improved bicycle and pedestrian connections, is another issue worth watching.
Neighborhood character: South Broadway has a distinct identity shaped by generations of residents and small-business owners. As plans move forward, the question is how much of that character will remain as new development takes shape.
What to Expect at Thursday's Meeting
According to the city's project website, the upcoming session will include a review of feedback collected through community surveys and previous discussions, along with preliminary ideas for the corridor.
Officials and planners are also expected to introduce an initial zoning framework, giving residents a better understanding of how potential changes could affect future development.
The meeting is intended to gather feedback rather than serve as a final decision on rezoning. It is open to the public, with participation available in English and Spanish.
How Residents Can Participate
Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.
Silvio's Restaurant | 351 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10705
Open to the public; English and Spanish
For residents who live, work, shop, or own property along South Broadway, Thursday's meeting offers an opportunity to help shape the direction of a planning effort that could influence the neighborhood for years to come.
As Yonkers continues to grow, the question facing South Broadway is not simply how much development the corridor can accommodate, but how that growth can serve the community already there.