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Del Vecchio died early on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
Del Vecchio, who served four terms in office from 1976 to 1993, “guided the city through the process of urban renewal, which changed the face of the central business district,” current White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach said.
As mayor, he oversaw the modernization of land use regulation in the city. Del Vecchio was an early advocate for the use of energy efficient technology. Under Del Vecchio, the city first tested and utilized environmentally friendly alternative fuel vehicles.
He secured permanent, direct Community Development Block Grant Program funding for the city through special federal legislation. This funding continues to be used today for neighborhood and streetscape improvements.
Del Vecchio managed the complete reconstruction and expansion of the city’s Ebersole ice-skating rink, without the loss of any skating-season time. He acquired the closed state armory on South Broadway and arranged for its conversion to senior citizen housing and a public senior citizens’ community center still in use today.
During Del Vecchio’s tenure, a new Public Safety/City Court building was constructed to house the police department and City Courts. This was also done on time and under budget.
He secured funding for the construction of the Bronx River Parkway exit ramp to Main Street, which permitted closing of the Woodlands Place exit, thus reducing traffic in the Fisher Hill residential neighborhood.
Del Vecchio negotiated the agreements under which the federal courthouse was constructed as well as the agreements under which the Galleria was built. He built the 2,800 space municipal parking structure at the Galleria. Del Vecchio was a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Manhattan College.
He was elected to the Common Council in 1972 and served for one term before becoming Mayor. Mayor Del Vecchio had the honor of hosting President Gerald Ford in 1976, when the President visited White Plains for our country’s Bicentennial celebration.
Del Vecchio’s family has continued to serve White Plains in various city departments, including the Department of Public Safety, Department of Public Works, and Parking Department. Del Vecchio and his wife of more than 70 years, Claire, had eight children. Wake and funeral arrangements have not been announced.
"We send our condolences to the Del Vecchio family and our gratitude for the years of dedicated service he gave to our city," Roach added.
“Westchester County mourns the passing of former White Plains Mayor Alfred Del Vecchio. Mayor Del Vecchio served the city he loved for many years and helped to shape White Plains into the city that it is today,” Westchester County Executive George Latimer stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
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