City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights), New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and BFC Partners announced today the formation of the Bedford Union Armory Advisory Committee.
The committee will serve as a liaison between the community and EDC/BFC, guiding the Armory’s management to develop programs that will best serve the welfare of the neighborhood’s youth and families.
The committee will be comprised of 15 members, including the Chair, with local elected officials, community groups and BFC appointing eight of the members, while the remaining 7 will come from a pool of local stakeholders and be open to the public.
“I have heard the thoughts and concerns of my constituents and am confident that the Bedford Union Armory Advisory Committee will help to bridge the gap between the local community and the Bedford Union Armory. I look forward to working with community leaders and stakeholders to develop programming that will serve our community for generations to come,” said Cumbo.
The Bedford Union Armory Redevelopment Plan officially received the city’s approval in Dec. 2017. As part of the plan, the redeveloped building located on Bedford Avenue and Union Street, will include a 138,000-foot recreational center to serve as office space for nonprofits and a medical facility.
The mixed-use space will be accessible to all members of the Crown Heights community with affordable office space available to nonprofits at just $6 per square foot and rent increases capped at 3% annually.
“The reimagined Bedford Union Armory is poised to be an integral part of the Crown Heights community. The Bedford Union Armory Advisory Committee will play an important role in shaping community programming for this historic facility, and EDC looks forward to working with this dedicated group of local leaders to ensure Crown Heights residents and families can benefit from the new Bedford Union Armory,” said James Patchett, President and CEO of New York City Economic Development Corporation. “
Nominations for the Committee’s seven public member positions are now open to residents of the Crown Heights and broader Central Brooklyn neighborhoods who have demonstrated commitment to the betterment of their community.
Applicants will be considered based on a demonstrated track record of serving the Crown Heights and Central Brooklyn neighborhood, diversity of background and perspective, and expertise in the programming of social services, anti-violence initiatives, athletics, culture and the arts.
“The Bedford Union Armory was planned with the Crown Heights and broader Central Brooklyn community in mind. Now, with the creation of the Bedford Union Armory Advisory Committee, the Armory will be able to fully reflect the neighborhood it has been built to serve,” said, Donald Capoccia, principal of BFC Partners.
Those interested in joining the Bedford Union Armory Advisory Committee will have a chance to submit their applications by May 15th. Applications can be submitted on the via email to advisorycommittee@bedfordcourts.com or via the Bedford Union Armory website at https://www.bedfordarmory.com/.
