The Repurposing of the Armory at Bedford and UNION

"De Blasio indicated that Laurie Cumbo's 16-point defeat of Ede Fox in Tuesday's Democratic primary was a positive sign for his and BFC Partners' designs to renovate the Bedford-Union Armory. The developer's proposal calls for a mix of market-rate and below-market housing, with the former effectively subsidizing the latter and a new recreation center in the long-vacant structure." http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170915/REAL_ESTATE/170919920

City Planning has always been in favor of this project. It is an entity under the Mayor's control and focused on the economic health of NYC. ...whereas CB9 is none of the above. https://commercialobserver.com/2017/10/controversial-bedford-union-armory-development-sails-through-planning-commission/

The armory debate/battle is now the subject of a documentary: https://www.facebook.com/events/384445521998191/

Rebecca provides some additional insight: https://commercialobserver.com/2017/11/armory-conflict-is-the-mayor-willing-to-kill-a-development-over-subsidies/ "A handful of developers submitted proposals, including Triangle Equities, Steiner NYC, RBH Group and a partnership between Jonathan Rose Companies and Poko Partners, according to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Law request. All of the bids included housing and community space. But each team came armed with its own ideas for retail and commercial portions of the complex. Steiner pitched a Brooklyn outpost for the artsy, Berlin-based Michelberger Hotel with a performing arts space and greenhouse. RBH proposed a WeWork, an aeroponic (soilless) farm and an Eataly, as well as public gardens and a farmer’s market. Triangle floated a grocery store, a New York Sports Club and an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema."

Finally, after years of inaction and debate, a deal is reached: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/city-council-strikes-deal-approve-bedford-union-armory-project-article-1.3648721

Cumbo declaring it a win: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Cumbo-Announces-Major-Wins-at-Bedford-Union-Armory.html?soid=1116258586297&aid=mxTPA1l_rwg

It should be thought of much like the familiar "poverty level" statistics. In this case the average median income for a family of 3 has been determined to be $85,900. Hence, a family making 60% of AMI is making $51,540. (when it is all said and done, they will agree on an income range of say $49,000 - $53,000). Meaning that if you have a family of 3 and your income is in that range, you can be one of the literally tens of thousands who is able to enter the lottery for the 152 apartments. [if you have a larger or smaller family, your income range will be different, because your family size has a different AMI]

"The city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the New York City Housing Development Corporation agreed to contribute $50 million in funding for the affordable housing part of the project, according to a spokesman for the New York City Economic Development Corporation." https://commercialobserver.com/2017/11/bedford-union-armory-gains-more-affordable-housing-and-wins-key-council-vote/

I read somewhere that the judge did not issue a stay, but didn't bother to link it. Here's the step the city took as a result of the process not being stayed: http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/2017/11/30/city-council-vote-approves-volatile-bedford-union-armory-redevelopment-brooklyn

I choose instead to have faith in NYC DOB. I force myself to believe that their staff is not corrupt, that their testing methods are sound, and that they have the actual power to protect the public in the event that real dangers exist.