Crown Heights Armory to Become Recreational Center
The Crown Heights Armory, located on Union St. and Bedford Ave., will likely be converted from an abandoned cavern into a long-desired sports and recreation center similar to the one in Park Slope.
The city’s Economic Development Corp. quietly issued a call for a developer to either buy or lease the century-old, 150,000-square foot Bedford-Union Armory and convert it to an unspecified “commuity use.”
Borough President Marty Markowitz and other neighborhood pols have long pushed for it to include a huge skating rink, gymnasiums, running tracks and swimming pools for school kids and neighborhood residents. They also want it to have exhibition space for art shows.
“I am ecstatic to see that, after more than two years of community engagement by my office, we are seeing significant movement toward the repurposing and redevelopment of the Bedford Union Armory,” Markowitz said in a statement after the city “request for proposals” was issued.
His office has pledged $1 million in capital funds for the project in 2015.
The process has long been delayed.
The Art Nouveau-style armory was built in 1903 for the Troop C Cavalry Unit. But in 2011, its 130 soldiers were moved to a new base in Fort Hamilton.
The space has since been used for various community events and as a supply spot for canned goods and other food drop offs following major emergencies.
In August, the Cuomo administration handed over the property to the city.
Markowitz has long lobbied city and state officials to convert the vacant space’s Drill Hall into something grand.
Last year, the boisterous beep persuaded grad students at New York University’s Wagner Capstone program to review various ideas for the spot.
The student group recommended a host of ideas, including a rec center as well as affordable housing. The researchers also suggested a three-floor section of the building called the Head House should be used for community services such as after-school and seniors activities.
The de Blasio administration will ultimately decide on the winning idea and developer. Submissions are due by 4 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2014.
just what we need!
More kids hanging out, more crime, more traffic, more parking problems.
Yossel
Think they can get the smell of old pishechs out from the homeless men that lived here?
Ach
If this were in Willy, Satmar would have purchased it for a few dollars.
" ANOTHER STRATEGIC LOSS"
ARE WE ABOUT TO LOSE ANOTHER CHANCE TO OBTAIN A SITE THAT COULD BE VITAL TO THE STRUCTURE AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY ?
WE ALREADY LOST TWO VITAL SITES IN THE PAST-ONE IS THE ENTIRE SQUARE BLOCK WHERE MEDGAR EVARS COLLEGE IS LOCATED WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN GOTTEN FOR A 99 YEAR, ONE DOLLAR A YEAR LEASE, BUT A REAL “CHOCHEM” DECIDED “WE DON’T NEED IT”, AND THE GILES CHILDREN HOSPITAL ( PRESIDENT & BROOKLYN) DUE TO INFIGHTING BETWEEN TWO OF OUR MOSDOS. THIS SITE COULD BE UTILIZED AS A MASSIVE SEPERATE GENDER TYPE OF “Y” CENTER THAT WOULD ATTRACT FRUM PEOPLE FROM THE WHOLE BORO, OR A CHASUNA HALL THAT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST IN THE BORO, OR OTHER IDEA. IF WE LET THIS GO, WE COULD END UP WITH THE BIGGEST HOMELESS SHELTER IN BROOKLYN RIGHT IN OUR MIDST. WHERE ARE OUR LEADERS? AS MUCH SHOULDER RUBBING AS THEY LIKE TO DO WITH OUR POLITICIANS, THEY SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHING MORE THAN JUST PHOTO-OPS.
SD
boy from the hood
our askoniem only know how to talk aot and take pictures with latitha james who hates jews and whites.
when it comes to action nothing doing
RESIDENT
I KNOW SOMEONE WHO SPOKE TO DEVORIE HALBERSTAM ABOUT IT.
HE IS WORKING TO TRY TO GET IT FOR OUR COMMUNITY,,
HE SAID WE NEED PEOPLE FROM THIS COMMUNITY TO RALLY BEHIND HER AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
Anonymous
Why? That’s so far from the general community.
Bridgebuilder
Nice talk from God’s people.