The City Wants Proposals to Develop the Bedford Union Armory

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The New York City Economic Development Corp. issued a request for proposals yesterday to revamp the Bedford Union Armory in southern Crown Heights from a massive vacant ruin into a community center, according to an email from the organization. The New York Daily News, which first reported the story, pointed out that the finished product could be similar to the Park Slope Armory. The city acquired the 138,000-square-foot building from the state in August.

The RFP says the EDC is looking for one or multiple developers for the site, and proposals can include residential development. In fact, grad students at NYU’s Wagner Capstone  program conducted a study on the property last year and found that an affordable housing development could help pay for the building’s overhaul. However, the RFP insists that a  “substantial portion” of the armory’s new uses must serve the community.

The building is still in good shape, but the EDC can’t offer any estimates on how much  the redevelopment will cost. And the EDC is still in the process of selecting a developer for the nearby Bedford-Atlantic Armory, which may add recreational space for kids.

The Brooklyn Borough President’s office has already committed $1,000,000 in capital funding to the project, which is slated for 2015. The Art Nouveau armory was built in 1903 for Troop C and remained in use until 2011, when its 130 soldiers were relocated to Fort Hamilton.

Proposals are due by January 23 at 4 pm.

City Finally Seeks Developer to Turn Crown Heights Armory Into a Community Center [NY Daily News]
NYU Study Proposes Uses for Crown Heights Armory [Brownstoner]
Image via the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office

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