What Will Be at the Armory

Brooklyn President Marty Markowitz and Board 9 Chair Jacob Goldstein are applauding a study with usage ideas for the Crown Heights armory. Full Story

June 27, 2012 – 7 Tammuz 5772

Brooklyn President Marty Markowitz and Board 9 Chair Jacob Goldstein are applauding a study with usage ideas for the Crown Heights armory. Full Story

By COLlive staff

Findings of the New York University Wagner Capstone team studying potential community uses for the historic Bedford-Union Armory in Crown Heights have been released Tuesday.

Among the primary suggestions are a Drill Hall multipurpose community recreation center, sports-specific complex or event/entertainment venue, a community center in the Head House, and the potential for limited revenue-generating private development at the site.

The report is merely a first step—a vision of what could be—in what has been a community-driven process to redevelop the Armory.

“I am excited that proposals and ideas for the use of the Bedford-Union Armory are being explored at this time,” said Community Board 9 Chair Rabbi Jacob Goldstein. “This massive building has unlimited potential for our community.”

“Community District 9 currently has no suitable space that can house a recreation center for our youth, a dynamic multi-purpose center for our senior citizens, nor a place that can be used by the entire community for communal events,” Goldstein said.

(View or download The Bedford-Union Armory: Vision of a Neighborhood Anchor)

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Among the determinations made by the Capstone team: that the Armory would require a primary operator; programming should be flexible, financially sustainable, balanced and affordable to secure the Armory as a long-term community resource; and the Armory must be a safe, welcoming space for the entire community.

In order to be financially sustainable, the facility’s operation may benefit from public-private partnerships and redevelopment opportunities for underused parts of the Armory property outside of the Drill Hall and Head House.

The Capstone team also recommended that interim steps be taken to utilize the Armory for temporary uses—such as film production and greenmarkets—that require minimal improvements. 2 banquets of the international Kinus Hachluchim and Shluchos conferences took place there.

“There is absolutely no reason why the residents of Crown Heights should not have the very same community amenities as those available in Park Slope and other neighborhoods,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

A public meeting and open house was held in January, during which community input was gathered; additional town halls will be scheduled, Markowitz’s office said.

The Drill Hall suggestions:

Multipurpose community recreation center. Would address obesity and other health issues, inadequate community services, and lack of access to physical recreation by providing gym facilities, exercise classes, basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, badminton, street hockey, tennis, track and field, and classroom and arts spaces.

Sports-specific complex. A for-profit recreation space that would serve as a catalyst for economic development through job creation, business attraction and revenue generation to operate the facility. Potential uses include a roller skating or roller derby rink, rock climbing gym, and skateboarding and BMX parks.

Event/entertainment venue. A revenue-generating facility that could support more community-focused services housed in the Head House portion of the Armory. Uses could include visual art exhibitions, musical or theatrical performances, movie production, career and job fairs, conventions, trade shows, greenmarket, and art and flea markets.

The Head House suggestions:

Youth services. Examples: mentoring, afterschool programs.

Senior services. Senior exercise, health and wellness counseling, knitting, cooking, and music.

Workforce development services. Job training and placement.

Community services. Community kitchen, work share, computer and multimedia facility.

Community arts programming. Art, music, theater, dance, gallery space.

Day care. Nearly one third of family households within a mile of the Armory are headed by single parents.

Other considerations. Short-term and long-term event rentals, graduations, town hall meetings, wireless Internet hub, solar power production, green roofs, rainwater harvesting, sliding scale pricing for community programs and services.

Another suggestion is a parking facility, a one-story extension added many years after original construction and, with zoning changes, could be redeveloped into new residential construction creating an additional revenue source for the project.

Although the Bedford-Atlantic Armory could conceivably serve residents beyond the immediate area, the 150,000 Brooklynites who reside within one mile of the Armory could see the most dramatic benefits, Markowitz said.

To stay involved, visit brooklyn-usa.org