Plans to redevelop the Bedford-Union Armory in Crown Heights are slowly moving forward, with a community forum gathering last week to flush out ideas and community demands for would-be developers.
The Armory, targeted for a variety of transformation projects in recent years, could emerge as anything from a Chelsea Market-style retail and food spot to a fitness facility, sports arena or children’s center. The space was originally under state control, but was recently placed under city jurisdiction. The city’s Economic Development Corporation put out a request for proposals in November, seeking a developer to either buy or lease the 150,000-square-foot space.
Richard Hurley, a local lawyer who led the community meeting last week, told the Brooklyn Eagle he believes at least six RFP submissions are still pending. A joint proposal from the Local Development Corporation of Crown Heights and Steiner Studios, in particular, has his favor.
“This is a local group that’s been here when times were bad, and now when times are good,” Hurley told the paper. “Other developers are transient, they don’t live here. Now they want to come in and take advantage.”
Of particular concern to community members is securing a binding agreement with developers that would ban any usage fee for local residents, employment opportunities for locals and health care services, the Brooklyn Eagle reported. [Brooklyn Eagle] — Julie Strickland