The Repurposing of the Armory at Bedford and UNION

whynot_31

CAMBA's Mother Gaston development will soon be ready for occupancy, and the lottery for its affordable units is now open.

http://www.brownstoner.com/real-estate-market/affordable-housing-brooklyn-brownsville-603-mother-gaston-boulevard/

(CAMBA will operate the recreation facility planned at the armory, and may have a role in operating the residential building)

yesbrooklyn

http://www.kingscountypolitics.com/honoring-anti-violence-legacy-supporting-path-forward/

whynot_31

That writer (Mr Davis) will benefit from far below market office space.

This writer will administer the $500k fund described above: http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/2017/4/4/opinion-let’s-work-together-succeed-bedford-union-armory

(Cut and paste, don't merely click)

As one might expect, both are in support of the current plan.

Rick656

Anybody disagree with what seems to be the bottom line here: "Here’s one thing I know for sure: If we kill the deal, we won’t get any more affordable housing. We will get nothing. No rec center for our youth, no office space for our nonprofits and no housing for low- and middle-income families. The armory will simply sit vacant for many more years to come."

whynot_31

Those who believe in killing the deal seem to believe that money to support their utopian visions will magically appear.

crownheightster

I don't disagree. I think if this deal gets killed, the best we can hope for is an empty, unused Armory. I fear the City or State might stick it to us/Diana Richardson and give us a sister homeless shelter to the Bedford Atlantic Armory. You know how petty those politicians can be.

whynot_31

The Democratic Socialists of America are going to march in opposition on April 12th

https://www.facebook.com/events/213779502440511/?ti=icl

I hope they remember to wear red.

Marco555

They're marching in Fort Greene park! Seems like a funny location to do this?

whynot_31

At first glance, you would think so.

However, this was basically a march through Laurie Cumbo's district by Ede Fox.

Ms. Cumbo is one of the main supporters of the present deal, and Ms. Fox is running against her in the next election.

https://www.facebook.com/edefox/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

Her campaign, along with the construction union that would like to be hired for the project, is behind much of the opposition.

whynot_31

Ede had an Op Ed piece in Crain's today: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170419/OPINION/170419892/how-to-solve-the-latest-armory-controversy-and-prevent-others

yesbrooklyn

"experience with community land trusts" hahahaha please

whynot_31

As discussed above, Mr Davis and First Baptist are both receiving benefits from the developer.

Mr Davis has written a response: 

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170421/OPINION/170429995/opposition-to-crown-heights-armory-plan-is-misguided

yesbrooklyn

Does anyone know anything about the substation across the street?  How would one get information about it?

whynot_31

Do you mean the MTA building at 1590 Bedford?

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6689989,-73.9556626,3a,75y,240.55h,96.12t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s3tzQC5Ra9OJVNUluL0zJEA!2e0!6s//geo1.ggpht.com/cbk?panoid=3tzQC5Ra9OJVNUluL0zJEA&output=thumbnail&cb_client=maps_sv.tactile.gps&thumb=2&w=203&h=100&yaw=91.518715&pitch=0&thumbfov=100!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

It used to be a car dealership

http://www.brownstoner.com/architecture/building-of-the-day-1590-bedford-avenue/

I'm not sure what the MTA uses it for now that it has it.

yesbrooklyn

Yes, I'm curious what the MTA uses it for too.  Thanks for this brownstoner link

dmiami2

The old car dealership is not a substation... I think it's just a garage used by the city.   

There is a substation 2 blocks east on Nostrand.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/leadership/sets/72157607791997215/

http://www.brownstoner.com/brooklyn-life/closing-bell-tour-nostrand-avenues-substation-22-built-to-power-the-irt/

whynot_31

Ede Fox seems to be making Laurie Cumbo's support of the present armory plan a central component of her campaign against her.

However, it is not clear to me how much the average voter cares or is informed.

Not a big voter turnout in our district

crownheightster

I will make sure to go out and vote for Laurie. She has a good head on her shoulders.

whynot_31

No one is running against Jesse Hamilton, but he knows that his constituents are afraid of being priced out of their homes

If the development was 100% affordable (defined by him as apartments renting for under $1000), there would be no money from the development to subsidize the recreation center.

doughmane

His announcement of joining the IDC, just prior to election day, illustrated his clear dedication and commitment to fostering his own career and interests, instead of the needs and interests of citizens in his district.   

And stop wasting paper on those flyers, Jesse!      

b_funk

whynot_31

As result of BFC's moves, it's opposition is no longer able to paint the project as being not for the community (which seems to be a euphemism for low income long term residents, which is a euphemism for black people).

As you maybe aware, one of the main forces opposed is unions: They want only (expensive) union labor to be used in the project.

However, this group comes into conflict with the opposition people who want it to be "100% affordable"

So, the opposition is at risk of falling apart now that First Baptist, WIADCA and Davis have signed on in support of the project.

Sorry, there isn't enough money that EVERYONE can get more than they deserve.

crownheightster

"As part of the partnership in development, CAMBA will oversee the rec space, which will include Team First, New Heights Youth, Central Brooklyn Soccer Club, Imagine Swimming and the Kings County Tennis League. Additionally, all programming will be free or discounted for Crown Heights residents. There will be more opportunities for other operators at the Armory’s rec center and additional operators are expected to join in the near future." 

FREE! http://www.kingscountypolitics.com/bedford-union-armory-developer-camba-partner-youth-sports-leagues/

I swear to god, if the "community" effs up this deal, I'm gonna throw a hissy fit.

whynot_31

Dare I ask how they are going to define "Crown Heights"?

Does PLG and Brownsville have less of a claim to this city owned armory?

b_funk

@crownheightster ... call our councilwoman and tell her you want this.  http://council.nyc.gov/district-35/

crownheightster

@b_funk -- I've called Laurie so many times that her chief of staff knows me by name

b_funk

lol.  me too.  just wanted to make sure she's hearing from the supporters too!

whynot_31

Construction Unions have become so weak that they can no longer compete for many market rate projects, and must really fight to get the government and quasi government ones.

This is a quasi government one.

I won't be sad if they do not get it.

mac1

Whynot, what's your sense of what happens with this project now?  And when will we know?  

whynot_31

I believe we will know after Laurie Cumbo's re-election in November.

...and it will happen, but take far longer than it should because it won't be very profitable to construct, and developers will prioritize other projects as a result.

Note: In the unlikely event that Cumbo is defeated by Ede Fox, it will still happen but take even longer.

...and we may end up with a rec center that is always closed because it lacks a subsidy.