Kingsbridge Armory to become Shopping Center (New York, Bedford: neighborhood, movies, school)

[Songbird42]

According to an article in the New York Times, Mayor Bloomberg has announced that the city plans to use the landmark for a shopping center. The project which will be $310 millions dollars will be called Shoppes at the Armory an will be anchored by a large dept. store, approx 35 smaller stores, restaurants and a movie complex.

The Armory was built by the city between 1912 and 1917, it was used to store arms and ammunition and to train troops. In 1974, it was designated a city landmark, known for its Romanesque arches, vaulted ceilings and twin towers, at one time a moat once ran across the front of the building.

I can remember as a young girl going to the Armory to see the circus and smell the sawdust on the floors and watch the clowns, went to the rodeo and watched amazed as the riders jumped and did rope tricks, later the flower shows and the boat show and of course the car show that came once a year, I remember standing in my first communion dress taking pictures in front of this huge building with the iron fence all around. Of course, if it weren't for the shows that came to the Armory mom wouldn't have had a job as a waitress across the street, and this little girl at the time wouldn't have had such fond memories of the many things that happened back in the Bronx.

[rlrl]

not far from River Plaza on 225th street-a straight line travel distance. do you think it will improve the surrounding neighborhood?

[Guywithacause]

That sounds like a great use for the ENTIRE community...and will likely be a boom for residents and the community. And people say areas like Kingsbridge and Bedford Park are on the decline..hogwash! I will no doubt be shopping there.

[Stanford]

Songbird, thanks for the posting the article on the Armory. I also have fond memories from my childhood of this place. While I never went inside...don't ask why, particularly because I lived right down the block on Jerome, I clearly remember playing in the surrounding areas and pretending that it was a castle. Also, when walking to PS 86, my grammar school, I'd take the route through Kingsbridge Rd. rather that walking up Jerome. It was much more fun to walk around the Armory. I'm glad to see that it's going to be put to good use.

What restaurant did your mom work in? I remember the Capitol and also the other diner that was diagonally across the street. I think it was called the Rainbow Diner.

[Songbird42]

Originally Posted by Stanford

What restaurant did your mom work in? I remember the Capitol and also the other diner that was diagonally across the street. I think it was called the Rainbow Diner.

In the early 50's mom worked at the little diner on the corner of Jerome it was run by Greek people, I was just a tot at the time, later, she worked at the bar across the street from the Armory, Fordes Chophouse, when the different shows were at the Amory she made a very good living waiting on tables there, many years later, when I turned 18 it was at Fordes I had my first drink.

[SuperMario]

Dammit! That's wayyyy to close for comfort.

Oh well, atleast I wont have to go 5 stops to 161st for the movies...I can just go uptown 2.

This sucks

[Guywithacause]

I don't follow SuperMario...what is the problem exactly?

[SuperMario]

Originally Posted by Guywithacause

I don't follow SuperMario...what is the problem exactly?

lol..no I was just kidding.

I was making light of the fact that all these new amenities will bring white people to the neighborhood. Of course I am all for the improvement of the vacant armory.

[Guywithacause]

Oh geez...leave white people alone! It's a free country!

[NooYowkur81]

It might encourage some people (not necessarily White) to stay in the Bronx too, if they see that their borough is getting better.