The Kingsbridge Armory (New York, York, Rose: sale, 2009, apartment)

[Elvira Black]

After years of speculation, the Kingsbridge Armory will soon begin major commercial development. Anyone have any thoughts on how this may impact the area? Here's some info:

After community opposition defeated a Giuliani-era plan turn the Kingsbridge Armory in the West Bronx into a mall and Chelsea Piers-style sports complex, the New York City Economic Development Corporation issued a Request for Proposals for the sale and redevelopment of the landmark, taking into account extensive community input. The 575,000-square-foot building at 29 West Kingsbridge Road in the Kingsbridge Heights section of the Bronx is to be transformed into a mixed-use facility that will anchor the local community and create a unique destination to attract visitors from throughout the city and the region. The RFP envisions stores, an inviting park-like perimeter, a movie theater or cultural venue and reduced-rent space for community organizations. The RFP released September 26, 2006, specifically discourages suburban-style big-box stores and gives preference to projects that provide retail jobs paying at least $10 an hour, plus benefits. One controversial aspect of the proposed development is the number of school seats called for. The RFP says the NYC Department of Education is prepared to fund and build one primary school with 441 seats, and one primary/intermediate school with 630 seats. Construction is not expected to begin until the spring of 2009.

Three developers -- Atlantic Development Group, the Related Cos., and Rosenshein Associates - submitted their plans with the city's Economic Development Corp. in response to the City's Request For Proposals. Atlantic Development Group's plan (the only one made public) includes public schools for 2,000 students; a 57,200-square-foot YMCA; 13,000-25,000 square feet of community space, and a retail portion with a department store, a movie theater and a parking garage.

[yodel]

I think that the idea for schools is out, but I can't remember why. It's funny, I mentioned the armory while responding to another thread just now. I'd be so happy for a movie theater there. Of course I think the redevelopment would be great for the community. My son says the armory looks like a castle.

[NooYowkur81]

Any web links? I really don't know too much about this, but it sounds like a positive for the community to me.

[Songbird42]

When I was a very young girl, in the 50's, 60's the armory was once a thriving place, they would have annual shows there, the car shows, boat shows, a rodeo and of course the circus came to town once a year, there were some car racing shows there also I believe later. Of course, the businesses that were in the area always made out well when the shows were there, the local bars, I believe there were three there at the time, Fordes,Reagans and another one loved to see the shows come, people came and ate and had drinks, on the corner of Jerome Ave there was a Greek diner and he also did well..............my how times have changed. The bars long gone, the shows stopped in the late 60's that I can remember because the NY Collisium(sp) was built and the shows went there.

[Elvira Black]

Well, there's still a diner on Jerome and Kingsbridge, directly across the street from the Armory (lol). But it sounds fabulous.

[mattzito]

As I recall the diner was named "The Rainbow Grill" during the 60's/70's. My Dad used to take us their sometimes for dinner. They had very good turkey and roast beef open sandwiches.

My Grandmother lived @ the corner of east 198th and Jerome as I recall. Joe's Luncheonette was right on the corner and part of the apartment building under the Jerome Ave El not too far from the end of the line. Franks pizza was great too.

Originally Posted by Songbird42

When I was a very young girl, in the 50's, 60's the armory was once a thriving place, they would have annual shows there, the car shows, boat shows, a rodeo and of course the circus came to town once a year, there were some car racing shows there also I believe later. Of course, the businesses that were in the area always made out well when the shows were there, the local bars, I believe there were three there at the time, Fordes,Reagans and another one loved to see the shows come, people came and ate and had drinks, on the corner of Jerome Ave there was a Greek diner and he also did well..............my how times have changed. The bars long gone, the shows stopped in the late 60's that I can remember because the NY Collisium(sp) was built and the shows went there.

[Guywithacause]

Yes Songbird..we get it..back in the 50's and 60s the Bronx was perfect, idyllic, and paradise..and now it is a ****hole full of animals...thanks for the info.

[oc200]

I remember passing by the armory on my way to school every day on the Bx22 and wondering "what the heck is that thing"?

Well, I hope it turns into something positive for the Fordham Rd. neighborhood. It's a gorgeous building if you haven't seen it. Kingsbridge Armory

[Guywithacause]

Yeah I think it will be a great amenity for the community and hopefully take Kingsbridge to the next level.

[baylovers]

When I was a kid used to walk by that place it was still a pretty active military building. It always conjured up the typical male adolescent soldier daydreams with tanks & guns etc. I guess what I remember about that place the most was its immense size, that place is just huge! And architecturally impressive. I hope they do something positive to bring that the neighborhood back. The buildings along the Grand Concourse have wonderful architecture as well and it is a shame what it has become.

Hopefully, it will not become a shelter like the armory in Brooklyn or Jamaica.