Dan Reiner

dreiner@lohud.com

NEW ROCHELLE — Park-goers and commuters no longer have to worry about their mobile devices' batteries dying.

Three solar-powered charging stations have been installed at park benches around New Rochelle, and they allow pedestrians to stop and plug in a USB cord to charge their devices. A fourth station will be added this fall.

“This is one part of our broader efforts to position New Rochelle as a forward-looking city, ready to compete successfully for the residents and businesses of the future,” Mayor Noam Bramson said in a statement.

New Rochelle purchased the Soofa stations from Changing Environments, Inc., a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company. Soofa Core charging docks were added to existing benches in Ruby Dee Park and Flowers Park, while a new Soofa Bench was installed outside the Huguenot Children's Library. Each station contains two USB charging ports.

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"(Our goal) is to provide digital amenities and partner with communities to directly improve quality of life in a neighborhood," said Soofa Director of Sales Oliver Madden. "We saw the development and history of New Rochelle as a prime location."

Soofa Benches are the latest push for New Rochelle to develop and modernize the downtown area. In July, the planning board approved a $149 million proposal to transform the city center.

“We have to move into the 21st century," Councilman Ivar Hyden said. "New Rochelle has to position itself as a city that’s genuinely interested in technology."

The New Rochelle Corporation for Local Development funded the four benches for $10,000 total, Hyden said. Madden said the stations have the capability for upgrades of WiFi access, but for now they are for people who "expect the need to plug in."

“It’s perfect for nice days in the park," said New Rochelle resident Cesar Villanueva, 26. "I think now they need more in the city."

Twitter: @reinerwire