The Repurposing of the Armory at Bedford and UNION

A lot of the budget will depend upon how much they expect the condos to sell for.

They will subsidize the below market units and (to some degree) the recreation and community center.

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170302/crown-heights/bedford-union-armory-affordable-housing-fund-bfc-ldcch

This is everything I love about the scrum of Brooklyn politics. Big developer giving a pittance to a local development corp run by a disgraced ex-politician and leader from within a powerful church. Of course, the disgraced "won't be running the fund"...but his son will...yeah, super Trumpian. The $500,000 is enough to look big and meaningful, and might result in something other than the lining of some pockets, but it is too small to get that local dev corp to be able to buy some buildings. 

Trump should not be credited or blamed for inventing "pay to play" or "extort for support".

He is only 70.

BTW, I am somewhat relieved that DeBlasio announced he plans to create 90 new shelters. ...it means that there is now less of a need/temptation for his administration to use this armory as one.

The word from the Mayor's office:  http://www.nyc.gov/html/oec/html/ceqr/16DME005K.shtml

My feeds tell me Tuesday will be a Jerry Springer show..

Protests occured this week in front of the armory with the usual people, claiming things such as "this is our land" and encouraging others to "take it back."  

I'm not sure if there's anyway to direct message me on this sight, but I'm putting together something for Laurie Cumbo in order to show my support for the project moving forward.  If any one else is interested and wants to show there's solidarity on the "pro" side of moving forward, please let me know.  Power in numbers.  Thanks

I'd like to support the project. Please message me.

Another fun meeting?

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170308/crown-heights/bedford-union-armory-scoping-hearing-deal-public-comments

The article states that BFC has now lined up 6 local non-profits as tenants, plus Medgar Evers College.

...the opponents are going to have a hard time convincing the ULURP voters that this project is one that disproportionately benefits white, wealthy people.

The $500,000 that BFC Partners proposes to give to a "fund" for affordable housing, managed in partnership by the Local Development Corporation of Crown Heights, seems woefully inadequate. 

Average cost for creating one unit of affordable housing is $200,000.  Average sale price of a condo in Brooklyn, for 2016, was $795,000.  

BFC will be profiting from the sale of 58 condos.  With the $500,000 the LDCCH will have a great start for beginning construction on those two units of affordable housing.    

Um...they could try harder to make the "fund" look less like a "bribe."

Next you will want them to rent out space to the non profits and MEC at market rates.

...bribery takes many forms, @crownheightster

Haha, it's all a big bribe. Or tribute?

Bertha Lewis may be simply angling for her slice of the pie.

....she got a pretty big slice from Atlantic Yards (now known as Pacific Park).

Bertha Lewis's slice of the pie is a "handout."

She argues that "the community" didn't ask for Condos, yet "the community" is also not the entity in charge of supplying subsidized housing. What the city or state giveth, they also can taketh.

The Patch wrote a play by play of the evening: http://patch.com/new-york/prospectheights/live-updates-bedford-union-armory-public-hearing-crown-heights

The writer for YIMBY, Rebecca, also lives locally and wrote a piece:

 http://www.yimbynews.com/2017/03/fight-to-redevelop-the-bedford-union-armory-in-crown-heights-heats-up.html

Check your inbox @crownheightster @Rick656 @b_funk

Let's figure this out!

Marco555 said:

Bertha Lewis's slice of the pie is a "handout." She argues that "the community" didn't ask for Condos, yet "the community" is also not the entity in charge of supplying subsidized housing. What the city or state giveth, they also can taketh.

The "community" can make their opinions known to their representatives, who can communicate them on behalf of the community to the city and/or state. It'd be in the city's interest/state's interest to listen at least. If the site were owned by a private entity, the private entity legally and morally wouldn't have to give a hoot, right?

mugofmead111 said:

 If the site were owned by a private entity, the private entity legally and morally wouldn't have to give a hoot, right?

That's not necessarily true. It's often in a private entity's best interest to listen to its customers since they'll take their money or allegiances elsewhere. 

I find that I have more choice when it comes to services provided by private entities than I do from government ones.  

Meanwhile, BFC is building its base of support as well: People who live locally and like sports.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/603/290/570/

The supporters of the project may want to be more explicit in their wording.

Something like "the plan presently being pursued by NYC EDC and BFC demonstrates the skills, experience and knowledge our community needs"

Put that in, and I'll sign.

...but I don't think it will sway any of the ULURP voters. They will be selected based on supporting the project.

Crain's has done some digging into the Crown Heights Development Corp that has signed on to be a part of the armory.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170313/REAL_ESTATE/170319977

Spoiler alert:   All the names of the Brooklyn Democratic Machine are there.

Cuomo may provide some cash toward subsidizing the housing units at the Bedford Union Armory.

http://www.kingscountypolitics.com/cuomo-looks-get-involved-bedford-armory-project/

...however, it would surprise me if this mysterious "new money" went to new projects as opposed to making up for the loss of federal funding to existing sites:   http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-slash-20m-nyc-affordable-housing-program-article-1.2999393?platform=hootsuite

BFC is smart enough to never publish a photo of a wealthy white family pushing a stroller 

http://files.constantcontact.com/3d484e69501/f91f86ad-f5f5-4c69-8aa5-2001362d98d8.pdf

http://nycpolitics.com/2017/03/26/bedford-union-armory-discussion-with-bertha-lewis-district-leader-geoffrey-davis/

Community land trusts involve properties that already exist.  Meaning no one had to built them, never mind renovate and build out a rec center.  I guess she thinks someone can just pull 100 + million out of a hat with a magic wand and then voila dole out apartments at sub market rates?  That's fascinating logic

Neither she or Geoffrey Davis have access to money, a seat on the ULURP committee, or a seat in the body that must ultimately approve this deal (the NYC Assembly).

...each is desperately trying to use this issue to appear relevant and the mouthpiece for "the community".

Things are built for money ...not "communities".

whynot_31 said:

Things are built for money ...not "communities".

Self-sufficient communities build for "community"...

South Crown Heights does not meet that description.