The Repurposing of the Armory at Bedford and UNION

I've now been told that we won't know what the site will become for a few MORE months.

However, it seems that the back half of the site and right side of the site (the former parking facility and stables) are likely to become some variety of affordable housing.

Needless to say, such a use would not be able to provide much of a subsidy to the drill hall. So, the drill hall is going to have to pay its own way and should probably be thought of as a seperate project.

Nothing is free.

If that's the case, does that narrow the list of feasible alternatives for how the remainder of the space might be used?

I suspect the answer is "yes".

If the drill hall has to break even, we are not going to be able to have a lot of "free" programming in the space.

So, for example, if the drill hall becomes a recreation/exercise space, we are likely looking at something that is geared toward folks who go to unsubsidized membership gyms (ie Planet Fitness)

....as opposed to it being able to offer services that are similar to those available at St. John's Recreation Center.

http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters/B245

Too bad. According to the Parks Department, there aren't any rec centers within 11225.

Despite EDC being the "lead agency" on getting the armory repurposed, they make no mention of their efforts re: same in their 2014 newsletter.

http://www.nycedc.com/2014/?utm_source=NYCEDC+Newsletters

Crain's ran a piece today.

"Reactivating this historic property will generate jobs, spur economic
activity and revive a vibrant facility that will once again serve the
neighborhood for years to come," Economic Development Corp. President
Kyle Kimball said in 2013, when the city issued the request for
proposals."

The article makes many of the points discussed in this thread.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150531/REAL_ESTATE/150529852

A new head of the EDC has been appointed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/30/nyregion/de-blasio-appoints-new-head-of-economic-development-corporation.html?smid=tw-share

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150629/BLOGS04/150629863

Oh, this is taking forever...

This is government at work.     An equally painful saga is playing out at the Court Officers Academy.  Funding was originally allotted for it in 2006.

  http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/32588/former-st-teresa-school-to-train-court-officers/p1   

Number of references to the Bedford Union Armory in today's EDC newsletter: 0

http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=1ea59591e8f61f1e32eec4bca&id=52882a60bf&e=9d2fc619e1

 I've decided I support the idea of this becoming some kind of senior citizen's center.....mainly because I'll be a senior by the time anything actually happens.  This will make for a great community resource....in 2050.

 I've decided I support the idea of this becoming some kind of senior citizen's center.....mainly because I'll be a senior by the time anything actually happens.  This will make for a great community resource....in 2050.

Good call... forward looking...  I think I'd support that too right about now.

Something will happen before 2050, but it might not be of the city's choosing.

http://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/our-programs/advocacy/legal-victories/the-callahan-legacy-callahan-v-carey-and-the-legal-right-to-shelter/

Meanwhile, the city is going to continue renting out the space for the occasional concert.

This guy appears on Sept 26:

Any updates on when they'll announce something?  Wanted to go to above concert to see the space but missed it.  Anyone go - what it's like inside?  Could it become a community center and a YMCA maybe?  How great would a Y be for the community?

I suspect you may have missed page 1 of this thread. It contains video and whatnot.

Sadly, the last update the city has provided is that the plans will be announced this fall.

...they have stated similar things about the site in the past.

I thought a community center was a no-go. A Y may be profitable. I also believe that several of the proposals included residential housing. *shrug*

If the comments by the new chief of the EDC are any indication, this project is not a priority. She doesn't mention it once:

http://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/new-edc-chief-takes-aim/

At least the site is not a derelict empty lot, like the former gas station that's diagonally across the street. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The owner of former gas station is reportedly waiting for the CB9 rezoning. Such things BRING the city money, and thus tend to happen in a timely manner.

On the other hand, the city will be lucky if it breaks even on redeveloping armory. Hence, we still may be writing on this thread in 2017.

They'll probably wait for the project on Bedford just on the other side of EP to go up and see how successful is right?  Also whats the process of checking on environmental safety for a former gas station?  I'd hope there'd be some serious hoops to jump through.

Also why would the city loose or break even on armory development if they sold it to a private enterprise?  Curious

As per the terms of the transfer from NYS, the city can not actually sell the armory but they can lease it to an entity for 99 years.

Not all loses are financial.

Also of note, a Rave is in the armory's future: http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/46303/a-rave-will-happen-at-the-bedford-union-armory-nov-20-and-21#latest

And, the celebration of Kinus (for Orthodox Jewish event): http://crownheights.info/picture-of-the-day/504441/kinus-production-team-plan-to-transform-the-armory/

As noted in the Rave thread, it is now scheduled to happen in Sunset Park, because local politicians objected to it.

So, I give you this photo set of the interior of the armory to keep you entertained while we are waiting for it to be fully utilized:

https://www.facebook.com/evelyntully.costa/media_set?set=a.1226258540725034.1073741838.100000226999784&type=3&pnref=story

Here is the crux of one of the proposals submitted to the EDC for consideration:

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2zZl43jSHpgUkRxLV91VnlWNDg/view

Note, a total 8 proposals were submitted by different entities, and (as discussed above) the EDC has yet to announce its decision.

The 71st Pct advising us that there will be a gala at the Bedford Union armory.

"On Wednesday, December 02, 2015, the 71st Precinct is having a Large Fund Raiser at Bedford Armory

There will  NO be parking on the following blocks

• Rogers Avenue from Eastern to Empire
• Union Street Bedford to Rogers
• President Street Bedford to Rogers

At 6PM to 12AM Rogers Ave will be closed to all through traffic

All blocks leading into Rogers between Empire and Eastern will also be closed. Residence with proper ID will be permitted to access all closed blocks at all times.

There will be several check points, several anti-terrorism officers and a large police presence in the area. There are NO KNOWN THREATS however the NYPD will be taking extra precautions during this event."

...I believe this event is actually held by the Satmars, not the NYPD.

While the block associations around the armory are pleased that the rave did not take place, larger questions remain.    At a meeting this week, they hope to get some clarity:   

Meanwhile, here is a video of the Satmar Fundraiser event that took place in the armory in 2013.

The same event is to occur tonight (Wednesday, December 2) with even more attendees than 2013.

Did anyone go?  Whats the story?  Will it have a sports complex as well as housing?  I'm sure there was a lot of patting oneself on the back about the rave though many FROM the neighborhood I'm sure would have attended.

Also @whynot can you continue to keep us informed of meetings like this about it in the future?  Where did you learn about yesterdays mtg?  And thanks!

I went. The long and short of it: The city was deciding between two developers, one that proposed a project emphasizing community based initiatives and the other weighing heavily on economic based initiatives. Unsurprisingly, the economic development plan won out.

Walter Mosley, Laurie Cumbo, and Jessie Hamilton all spoke but declined to give specifics outside of the fact that the project is now entering the the URLURP phase and the developer will be announced in the coming days.

Exactly what the project will become is still a bit of a mystery but it's getting clearer and we should know more very soon.

And yes, @yesbrooklyn, there was a lot of self congratulating regarding getting the rave moved.