The Repurposing of the Armory at Bedford and UNION

@homeowner -

St John's lists women's swim as happening on Tuesday's at 7:30. 

https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters/B245/schedule#Pool

...once it is built, the armory pool might be nicer and -um- more exclusive.

Hearing this project may have stalled due the expiration of 421-a. Can anyone confirm or deny?

I can't confirm or deny 421a's impact on the site.

However, I will add the this site is subject to ULURP, as a result of being publicly owned and a portion being sold for town homes.

It is a lengthy process.

The developers now want nonprofits that would like to use the facility to provide their opinions via a questionarie :

http://files.ctctcdn.com/3d484e69501/4003cf63-a12a-4555-8ff5-65587d39ecdb.pdf

Seems like a lot of moving parts in this project and a lot to manage considering 'Bedford Courts' is a newly established organization and therefore never done something like this.  I hope they get some real savvy for-profit-world business advisors who are experienced so this doesn't turn into chaos.  I wonder why they are seeking to do so much at once as opposed to filling space organically over time and taking it slow in the beginning.

Surprised the questionnaire is from Bedford Courts and not CAMBA?  CAMBA while experienced doesn't have a reputation for being organized or for being the best managers.

Much like charter schools community organizations need time to get a strong team together to run the place before they start cranking at full-tilt (or in the case of charter schools opening to every single grade).  Charter schools start with 1 or 2 younger grades and built up.  Seems like the sports facility aspect of this project is a big enough endeavor and then adding the office spaces and non-profits at the same time could be alot to manage.

Man, I want that pool...

Some people are upset that Slate will be developing the armory, in light of its role in Rivington House.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20160808/BLOGS04/160809911

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/rivington-house-developer-sets-its-sights-on-crown-heights-and-neighbors-arent-having-it-8958383

This presumes a couple of things.  

1.  Non-shady developers exist

2.  CB9 protest leaders can rationalize and understand complicated economics in play

Those opposed to it now include Bertha Lewis.

http://therealdeal.com/2016/08/10/activists-call-on-carmelo-anthony-to-pull-support-from-bedford-union-armory-project/

...locals may remember her from her days with ACORN and cashing in on Barclays center.


DeBlasio might not even like her:
http://m.nydailynews.com/news/politics/exclusive-de-blasio-aides-refuse-bertha-lewis-roundtable-article-1.2310233

http://nypost.com/2016/08/11/de-blasio-will-take-a-hard-look-at-rivington-firms-new-deal/

Can someone explain to me why contracts would be awarded to people based on gender and skin color as opposed to natural economic forces?  Not so sure I understand the nuance of why women and people of color work for only certain companies?  

What Lewis is asking for seems like preferential treatment just because?  Just trying to understand here...

And nevermind the whole Slate issue for the moment...

As you may recall, Lewis dropped her objections to Atlantic Yards after receiving a large donation from FCR, and some mandates re: hiring people who live in NYCHA.

She may be hopeing for a similar outcome here.

...money is a lot easier to count than impact. This community is for sale, and she wants to be the seller.

After protest against Slate, it sold its interest in the Bedford-Union Armory project to BFC (its co-partner)

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/developer-ditches-brooklyn-armory-project-pressure-city-article-1.2764062?cid=bitly

My wife and I engage in similar practices.    Like Slate and BFC, we have different last names.

When we think her last name will result in better service, we use it.

Likewise, there are occasions when we feel mine will help us out, and use it.

Hmm...That article has a picture of the wrong armory, no? That's the other one at Bedford and Pacific, which is currently a homeless shelter. 

yup, it may have been written (and edited) by someone who has never been to the area.

Thankfully, Rachel gets it right in her piece:  https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160824/crown-heights/controversial-developer-backs-out-of-bedford-union-armory-project

Why an entity like Slate and BFC partners was chosen to begin with:  http://www.villagevoice.com/news/why-is-the-city-allowing-luxury-condos-on-public-land-in-crown-heights-9033597

OMG. I can't wait to hear how this meeting goes.

Now that's Slate is gone what's the new bone to pick?

Well, I think it is safe to say that several of the bidders that were not chosen in favor of Slate are going to want to be selected as the replacement.

Depending upon how they perceive the audience, each will state how they are more community focused, will hire locally, will use union labor, and/or be able to construct facility that is able to provide services for free to the elderly and under privileged.

We have only begun...

Does BFC even need a replacement for Slate? I mean, is it required that there be two developers?

I have no idea whether one is legally required, but will state that BFC is massive enough that it likely does not need the help of an additional developer.    

 Here's a list of their present and past projects:

http://bfcnyc.com/past-projects/

http://bfcnyc.com/ourportfolio/

BTW, I assume BFC bid on the armory with the assumption that they would be partnered with a developer, and had a defined set of responsibilities.

... adjusting such contracts after the fact may be problematic.

Carmelo is out. http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/carmelo-anthony-drops-support-crown-heights-armory-deal-article-1.2791283

Bertha Lewis wins. 

EDC is screwed

This makes me sad. I was so looking forward to having a pool in the neighborhood. 

Maybe in 2025, as opposed to 2020.

Something to look forward to. Like the Barclays Center.

Tonight's town hall mtg should be interesting

someone live blog!  i was so hoping to go but stuck at work...