Last night the explosive fight for the Bedford Union Armory continued, as hundreds of local officials, advocates and union workers united to protest the proposed plan for the 112-year-old building in Crown Heights .
The meeting was lead by the proud Brooklyn-native and New York Assemblywoman Diana Richardson (Crown Heights, Lefferts Gardens), who urged attendees to get actively involved in the project.
“We the people just don’t understand how much power we have. When you understand the power that you have then you can begin to determine what to do with it. What we are starting here is a movement.I can’t keep up with the development in this district, especially here. If we keep going at this rate what will we have left?” Richardson said. “We support this project being done the right way. A place that after you build it you can afford to live in.”
The proposed plan for the 138,000 square foot building is to be a housing and commercial space, complete with a recreational facility, swimming pool, and office space. Under the deal the City will enter into a 99 year lease with developer BFC (Baron Ferrara Capoccia) Partners, who plan on building 330 condominiums, half of which is expected to be affordable. BFC is also the developer slated to build the Ingersoll Senior Houses on NYCHA-owned property in Fort Greene.
The Crown Heights community has completely refused to allow the development to move forward on the grounds of affordable housing, accessibility of the recreational facilities and non-union jobs available to the community. BFC Partners have promised that their development will improve the community but have yet to produce financials and a plan that elected officials can approve to move the project forward.
New York State Senator Jesse Hamilton advocated specifically for affordable housing within the proposed development.
“Things are changing and we have to be a part of it. For the first time elected officials are standing together and saying ‘we can’t take it anymore’. Why are we selling condos that we aren’t ever going to get back? We should have affordable housing that stays with [us] forever. We can build affordable. This is our land and we have to make sure we can get the best deal we can get. We can’t have the highest homeless rate in New York City and everywhere you walk you see new construction,” said Hamilton.
One of the more outspoken advocates of the night, Bertha Lewis, activist and founder of the Black Institute held nothing back, “I’m going to make it simple. I’m not here to waste time.I’m here to kill this thing. Trump may have the White House but he won’t get the Bedford Union Armory.”
There are five steps BFC Partners will have to complete before starting development at the site on President Street. The department of City Planning with have to first certify the application, then the Community Board will make recommendations, then it will go on the Borough President and Borough Board before finally being approved by the City Planning Commission.
“As the elected officials of this district we are working together,” City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo told the audience. “I want us to continue to remain vigilant and continue to stay focused on the dynamics on what this project is. As the city councilwoman for this district, I want you to know that I want to make the absolute best decision for this community because there is so much at stake with this particular project. This is potentially a quarter-of-a-billion-dollars of investment into our community.”
Richardson, advocates and supporters of affordable housing are planning a public rally on December 6 at the Armory against the development in hopes of guaranteeing a beneficial outcome for the Crown Heights community.
