To be honest, I don't know how I feel yet. I'd like to see the proposals that have been received, since the RFP is closed now, so they're all in. Personally, I don't know how a community group or small non-profit could run that thing effectively, but maybe the right partner is out there. Any ideas?
Below is the text of the NYCEDC offering. It's definitely worth giving an eyeball to, since it lays out a lot of the issues:
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
today announced a request for proposals (RFP) to transform the vacant Bedford Union Armory in
the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn into a facility that will anchor the
neighborhood and become a valuable amenity for local residents, while also
preserving the historical character of the Armory. The easily accessible
site, located in one of the most diverse neighborhoods of New York City, was
built in 1903 and contains 138,000 square feet. The building was in
continuous use from its opening until 2011, and in August 2013, the State
relinquished use of the Armory to the City. The RFP seeks respondents
whose proposals will meet community needs and ensure the future success of the
Armory within the Crown Heights neighborhood.
“We are looking forward to helping the Bedford Union Armory,
a cornerstone of the Crown Heights community for more than a century, fulfill
its potential as an engine of economic growth,” said NYCEDC President Kyle
Kimball. “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.” “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,” said Brooklyn
Borough President Marty Markowitz. “This amazing facility will become the
'crown jewel' of Crown Heights – a fantastic community space in a neighborhood
underserved in recreational and community facilities. I want to thank my fellow
elected officials for their support of this project, namely Congressman Hakeem
Jeffries, Brooklyn Borough President-elect Eric Adams, Assembly Member Walter
Mosley and Public Advocate-elect Letitia James, as well as Deputy Mayor Robert
Steel, NYCEDC President Kyle Kimball, their respective staffs, and of course
NYU Wagner’s School of Public Policy for administering the capstone project
that catalyzed this progress.”
“I am proud to join the New York City Economic Development
Corporation in announcing the RFP to develop the Bedford Union Armory in the
Crown Heights,” said Council Member Letitia James. “It has long been my
interest in seeing the Armory converted into a mixed-use space that includes an
open, accessible recreational facility that serves the needs of the local
community. I look forward to assisting in the transformation of this beautiful
space.”
"The development of the Bedford Union Armory is a vital
centerpiece of the economic rejuvenation of the Crown Heights
neighborhood," said Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley, who represents New
York's 57th Assembly District. "By providing new valuable community space
and resources, the Bedford Union Armory will help define the character and
principles of central Brooklyn for the next generation. I look forward to
working with the New York City Economic Development Corporation and my partners
in government to ensure the smooth and fair development of this important
site."
Respondents will be selected based on their ability to
meet the following goals:
- Create a financially feasible and economically viable project;
- Ensure a substantial portion of its uses are community-serving;
- Preserve the character of the facility and respect the surrounding neighborhood context;
- Incorporate principles of sustainable design; and
- Expand quality jobs for local residents and maximize permanent employment opportunities for the City’s local and disadvantaged residents through participation in the HireNYC Program, a free program that connects the City's workforce development services to economic development projects.
One or multiple developers may be selected to develop the
site, and it is anticipated that a designation will be made by spring
2014. Proposals must be submitted by Thursday, January 23, 2014.
In 2012, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
initiated the Bedford Union Armory redevelopment process, a community
engagement and visioning process that brought together local elected officials,
residents and other community stakeholders to help determine appropriate future
uses for the Armory. The community recommendations included public uses
such as public recreation space or a sports-specific complex. The
recommendations also acknowledged that the feasibility of these types of spaces
would require developing a portion of the site for private uses. For
their capstone project in 2012, graduate students at New York University’s
Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service authored a report suggesting
funds for operating the Armory could come from constructing apartments on the
site of its one-story parking facility.
In recent years, the National Guard has opened the
Armory for a variety of civic functions, including events for the local
Caribbean and Jewish communities. In 2010, the Armory served as a collection
point for canned goods and other emergency supplies in the wake of the
earthquake in Haiti. In addition, the Armory has been leased to movie
production companies for set building and filming. Built by architects
Pilcher and Tachau, the Armory was acclaimed as the first structure of the
“L’Art Nouveau” style in Brooklyn.
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