Bramson tells Armory Committee: Only Forest City Residential Can Make Presentation

Promising to put “smiles” on the faces of New Rochelle residents with a plan to revitalize the New Rochelle Naval Armory Building, former New York State Assemblyman Ron Tocci said this structurally sound building was “waiting to be used”. The plan he presented was consistent with the vision and “pride in New Rochelle’s rich military heritage.”

Using a slide presentation which detailed adaptive reuse of the Armory Building, he felt there would be not only many benefits with “ample space to meet the City’s needs”, but would also be consistent with green standards, especially since it is already built. Comparing the 56,000 square feet of space in this building to other buildings, he said the Iona College gym had 44,000 square feet and the Westchester County Center had 26,000 square feet. This plan will activate the waterfront for residents. Tocci said that the Save Our Armory Armory group included many community leaders, members of the American Legion Post 8, and Monroe College, among others.

The adaptive reuse of the Armory Building is very attainable, he continued. The building’s Main Street location gives the public ready access to the waterfront. The brick used to construct it will not deteriorate. He also cited a few possible uses such as a monument garden, a Veterans’ Hall which could offer services for all Veterans, community meeting rooms, a Norman Rockwell exhibit, maritime exhibits and New Rochelle historical exhibits, etc.

John Verni, an attorney and developer, offered ways to make the building ‘self-sustaining.” The American Legion Post 8 Building can offer an equity swap enabling a long term lease for possibly 99 years. Monroe College could also be given a sub-lease. Restaurants of 30-40 square feet could generate seven to ten thousand dollars a month. There could be trade shows and seasonal rentals for the arts. Forest City Residential could be included in this plan or stand alone. About one million dollars would be needed to restore the building, two to four million dollars to make changes in uses, and three to five million dollars for environmental remediation, for a total cost of five to eight million dollars. Remediation grants are available for projects which would have public use. There were also Federal grants available to install a handicap accessible elevator.

Culminating the presentation John D’Alois, a New Rochelle resident and community activist asked, “How do we stand apart from the crowd?” The goals of restoring this Naval Armory Building is a vision of success and would bring many benefits to all the residents. They would always have “something new” such as “dinner with a current show”. The building will be so outstanding, other communities will say, “Where can we get our own Armory?” The concept does not need to be changed, only the methods of “how to” change the Echo Bay area. Tocci added, this building is a “gift from our predecessors, and is a reminder of those who served our great Nation.” This gift should be “dusted off and shined up.”

At the conclusion of the presentation New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson said he was pleased with the group’s level of community service to the City. He reminded them that Forest City Residential, which had an option from the City, would be coming back to the City Council this fall with a revised plan for the Echo Bay area. He asked if the group had a commitment from Monroe College. Tocci answered that under the circumstances and conditions with Forest City Residential, it was difficult to make a commitment. Bramson asked if the Save Our Armory Committee plan could be integrated into Forest City Residential’s plan and was answered, “perhaps.”

After a series of questions about various aspects of the Echo Bay area, Bramson made it clear that at this point only Forest City Residential has an option on the property until the end of this year and are the only ones that can make a presentation to the City.

In the Westchester Herald, july 26, 2010