This site is closed to new comments and posts.

Notice: This site uses cookies to function.
If you are not comfortable with cookies then please don't browse this website.

The Repurposing of the Armory at Bedford and UNION - Page 6 — Brooklynian

The Repurposing of the Armory at Bedford and UNION

1…34689…23

Comments

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited December 2014
    In June 2012, I wrote:

    Although not politically popular, I can think of another use that comes with a somwhat ok funding stream:

    Alternative to Incarceration.

    Some of the funds that are presently spent to jail people on Rikers Island for misdemeanors could be used to create a day reporting center that focused on GED, drug rehab, vocational skills, etc.

    Those who failed to report, or acted like pricks while at the center, would join their incarcerated peers at Rikers. I doubt the political obstacles could be overcome though....

    Update: The political obstacles have now been greatly reduced, and money is now available.
    http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20141202/POLITICS/141209971/mayor-130m-to-revamp-nyc-jails-for-mentally-ill

    Game on?
  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    Seriously, if both of our neighborhood armories are used for fairly serious social services... OY VEY
  • southeast
    southeast
    In June 2012, I wrote:

    Although not politically popular, I can think of another use that comes with a somwhat ok funding stream:

    Alternative to Incarceration.

    Some of the funds that are presently spent to jail people on Rikers Island for misdemeanors could be used to create a day reporting center that focused on GED, drug rehab, vocational skills, etc.

    Those who failed to report, or acted like pricks while at the center, would join their incarcerated peers at Rikers. I doubt the political obstacles could be overcome though....

    Update: The political obstacles have now been greatly reduced, and money is now available.
    http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20141202/POLITICS/141209971/mayor-130m-to-revamp-nyc-jails-for-mentally-ill

    Game on?
    NIMBY!!! I know I'm being selfish, but I have my children to think about.  My job is to keep them safe, and having this around, is a risk (however great) I'd prefer not have.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    Very few members of the public want such facilities near them. Hence, such decisions are rarely left up to the public.

    http://www.ny1.com/content/news/215566/plans-for-borough-wide-parole-reporting-center-not-sitting-well-with-some-brooklyn-residents/

    While the announcement re: revamping jails for persons with mental illness makes it sound as if DeBlasio is acting benevolently (ie to show that he runs a humane jail system), there are also several court decisions that have pushed him to act.

    Brad H comes to mind: http://mhp.urbanjustice.org/mhp-bradH.v.cityofnewyork

    I'm interested in seeing if these forces are enough to allow the programs to obtain space in the Bedford Armory.
  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    If they do, there would be serious community organization around "BOTH of our armories in our predominately neighborhood of color are social services hotspots. Lawsuit time." I would unleash all of my NIMBY fury in order to get my damn YMCA/affordable housing/Trader Joes armory.
  • mcpoet
    mcpoet
    Even as someone who works with this population, I'm wary of a mass influx of more programs like this.  It seems like this is becoming the go to area for homeless shelters, treatment centers, scattered site housing, sex offender housing, etc.  I'm skeptical that anything like this would happen, given that the rising property values have led to an influx of people with political clout (see: wealth), as well as extant owners who don't want to see their skyrocketing property values brought back down to earth.  Considering how rapidly this neighborhood has been changing (I'd argue, as most would, for the better.....leaving aside the inevitable crunch this creates around housing), it seems like a silly idea to take something that would help to facilitate that development and instead do something that would stand as a direct bulwark to continued progress and development.  I'd imagine there are many other locations that could serve this purpose in areas that would make more financial sense for the city as well.  I really hope that whatever goes there it's something that attracts people to the area, and not something that discourages people from venturing south of Eastern Parkway.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited December 2014
    The facility is one of the few that are large enough that the city could use part of it for this purpose, and the rest for other purposes.

    While the city is dedicating a chunk of change to the diversion programs, they aren't spending enough that the non-profits are going to be able to afford market rents.

    There have been prior funding streams of this variety [CASES is presently the provider for Brooklyn: http://www.simplyhired.com/job/clinical-supervisor-lcsw-lmsw-brooklyn-cirt-job/cases/ice3gcguiz ], but the programs were too small to effectively "score" a portion of a prime space like this armory.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited December 2014
    Another mtg this week:

    image
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited December 2014
    I have been told that before 2/1/2015, the EDC will finally announce the winning bidder for the armory, as well as how it will be used.

    tick, tick, tick
  • dmiami2
    dmiami2
    The former gas station across the street (1550 Bedford) was officially signed over to "1550 Bedford Ave LLC" for $7.2M... I believe whoever created this LLC is the new owner that will develop the lot. 

    The lot was part of $41M REIT that included the gas station on Empire and Bedford, as well as others...  The gas station on Empire is slated to become another storage facility, probably somewhat due to the limited options the site is zoned for.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    That lot is one of the Big 16 I track closely.

    http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/44634/links-to-the-big-16-developments-in-western-crown-heights/p1

    I've updated it's thread with your news:
    http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/38184/the-gulf-stationdunkin-donuts-at-ep-and-bedford-1550-bedford&nbsp#Item_51
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    I have been told that before 2/1/2015, the EDC will finally announce the winning bidder for the armory, as well as how it will be used.

    tick, tick, tick
    The announcement will formally be made by the EDC, the mayor and the borough president.

    Prior to this, last minute jockeying is being done by the less famous and powerful politicians to try and score patronage jobs for their supporters.

    It isn't clear whether they will be successful.
  • Schmu
    Schmu
    I overheard at the local pharmacy that they chose someone and they are putting in a hotel, ugh. Anybody else hear this? Any details?
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited January 2015
    When they choose a bidder, a public announcement will be made by people in authority.

    A hotel has been among the uses discussed for the land occupied by the former parking facility. It would generate significant revenue to subsidize the drill hall.

    I think it is more likely that the parking facility will be turned into a mix of market and below market rate housing. Such a use would not generate much of a subsidy for the drill hall, but would allow the mayor to claim it toward his affordable housing goals.
  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    Only 10 more days until we hear what will happen to our armory!!!
  • mcpoet
    mcpoet
    Any update on the rumor that they're close to announcing their decision?
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    I have requested a timeline from Eric Adams and EDC, but received no response.

    Other people (local activist types that I know) have made similar requests, but have not yet heard anything.

    After reading this, maybe Rachel will bother them as well.
  • dmiami2
    dmiami2
    Something is happening there tomorrow.  No parking signs and police barricades are up.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    It remains in use for special events
  • Schmu
    Schmu
    When are we going to hear about this? It seems like an absurdly long time to make a decision especially since we were given a deadline.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    Imagine being in the role of one of the bidders.    They have now been kissing butt for an extended period of time.

    Laurie Cumbo mentioned the armory in her "State of the District" speech today.    She described it as bringing affordable housing, jobs and a community center, and stated that the public would learn more this Spring.
     
    https://www.facebook.com/events/875177162545208

    As discussed, if there is no hotel, the public is going to have to carry the fully freight of the community center. 

    ...Buildings with a large component of genuine affordable housing tend to barely break even.    
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    The head of the EDC has announced his resignation. His last day will be in June:

    http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150325/POLITICS/150329922

    Will a plan for the armory be disclosed before his departure?


  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    I'm sad that the announcement has been delayed so far. I really want a YMCA. Or my Trader Joes. 
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    I fear that his departure will further add to the delay. I also fear that if it is left vacant, it may become a homeless shelter in response to NYC's dire shelter crisis.


  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    I think that it would be a major political problem if BOTH of Crown Heights armories became homeless shelters, while Park Slope's Armory was really nicely re-purposed for community use...the optics would not be good for the city. 
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited March 2015
    The optics of where we are currently putting people in shelter may soon be worse than the optics that would arise from both CH armories being used for shelter.
  • suppleknuckles
    suppleknuckles
    turn the park slope armory into a homeless center too, then. problem solved!
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited April 2015
    I guess this will come down to whose drum beats louder.    Here is the DOI playing its drum:
    http://www.scribd.com/doc/261497816/Department-of-Investigation-Report-on-Homeless-Shelters

    We also have the dynamic of one use (community recreation center) costing the city additional money, whereas using it as a shelter could SAVE the city money relative to what it is paying landlords to presently house the homeless.

     
  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    God forbid.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    This site will be among those discussed on a walking tour held on Saturday, May 2, 2015.

    http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/45410/a-walking-tour-change-in-sw-crown-heights-will-be-held-saturday-may-2nd-at-2-pm/p1
Sign In or Register to comment.

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In

Categories