Rye Brook, New York
Rye Brook is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States, within the town of Rye. The population was 9,347 at the 2010 census.[2]
For the town of which Rye Brook is a part, see Rye (town), New York. For the area within both the town of Rye and the village of Mamaroneck, see Rye Neck. For the nearby city, see Rye, New York.
Rye Brook, New York
July 7, 1982
Paul S. Rosenberg
3.45 sq mi (8.94 km2)
3.43 sq mi (8.88 km2)
0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) 0.29%
249 ft (76 m)
10,047
2,930.86/sq mi (1,131.48/km2)
36-64325
0979940
036119
Rye Brook has been designated as a Tree City USA for 14 years.[3]
History[edit]
Rye Brook is located in southeastern Westchester County and shares its eastern border with Greenwich, Connecticut. The village was an unincorporated section of the town of Rye until its incorporation as a village on July 7, 1982.[4][5]
In 1982, 150 residents of the unincorporated area proposed to establish the village of Rye Brook and organized a petition containing 1,536 signatures. The petition drive, which contained the signatures of approximately 36% of the registered voters in the unincorporated area, was organized by the Independent Civic Association.[6] It was reported by The New York Times that one resident commented, "There is a time for a community to redefine itself," further stating that residents of the unincorporated area "should be able to elect their own officers" and "protect their tax base."[6]
The residents of the unincorporated area voted on June 23, 1982 to create the Village of Rye Brook. It was the first village created in New York State in 54 years.[7] The referendum to create the new political identity passed with 58% of the voters in favor (1,991 to 1,434).[7] The first election in the Village's history was held to elect a mayor and four trustees. The first village official was Lee Russillo, who was sworn in as Rye Brook's first Village Clerk, and was responsible for the first election day.[7]
The village is home to the William E. Ward House, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[8] Also known as Ward's Castle, it was the home of the National Cartoon Museum, established by Mort Walker, the creator of Beetle Bailey, from 1976 to 1992.[9]
In 1983, 800 Westchester Avenue, described as the "Taj Mahal of Rye Brook"[10] and the "contemporary equivalent to the classical villa," was constructed as the General Foods Corporate Headquarters.[11]
Geography[edit]
Rye Brook is located at 41°1′11″N 73°41′0″W / 41.01972°N 73.68333°W (41.019767, -73.683419).[12]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2), all land.
Rye Brook residents have access to the historic Rye Town Park-Bathing Complex and Oakland Beach through the town of Rye, although the complex is located in the city of Rye, a separate municipality.
Rye Brook has six main parks totaling nearly 100 acres (0.40 km2):[15]
The village has two alternative passive parks:
Economy[edit]
Personal income[edit]
The median income for a household in the village was $98,864, and the median income for a family was $111,287. Males had a median income of $75,712 versus $45,698 for females. The per capita income for the village was $48,617. About 1.8% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.
Industry[edit]
Universal American is headquartered in Rye Brook. Formerly, Snapple, Kraft Foods and IBM had their headquarters in the village.
WRNN-TV is an independent television station with its headquarters located at 800 Westchester Avenue.
Government[edit]
The village of Rye Brook is governed by a mayor and a five-member Board of Trustees, all volunteers. Jason Klein is the current mayor.[16] The board appoints a village administrator who runs day-to-day operations in the city.[16] Rye Brook has its own police and fire departments. The police department, led by a chief of police, consists of 28 officers and one support staffer.[17] The fire department operates one firehouse, and the Port Chester Fire Department has a contract with the village to respond to calls. Port Chester's fire chief also oversees the Rye Brook police department.[18]
On the federal level, Rye Brook is located in the New York's 17th congressional district. On the state level, Rye Brook is located in the 36th State Senate district and the 85th State Assembly district. On the county level, Rye Brook is located with the 6th Westchester County Board of Legislators district.[16]
Within the village lie two school districts, the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District and the Blind Brook School District. Blind Brook makes up approximately 70% of the village and Port Chester covers the remaining 30%.[15]
Infrastructure[edit]
Transportation[edit]
Commuters have the option of using the Westchester County–operated Bee-Line Bus System.
Part of the Westchester County Airport is located in the northern part of the village.
Major roads that serve the area include, in the northern part of the village: