New Rochelle Armory Group Demands City Drop Forest City Rattner, Give Land Deal to Local Groups Linked with Military Veterans

A former New York State Assemblyman from New Rochelle is calling on the City of New Rochelle to halt negotiations with Forest City Rattner for a further extension of a Memorandum of Understanding which expired last month. Ronald C. Tocci, writing on behalf of all Veterans Service Organizations, the Save Our Armory Committee, and concerned citizens, wants the City to instead extend a one year Memorandum of Understanding to local groups represented by Tocci.

Tocci served as New York State Commissioner for Veterans Affairs from 2005 to 2007.

“We are formally requesting the opportunity to meet with Council to present our plans regarding the preservation and restoration of the New Rochelle Naval Armory building and property,” said Tocci.

Tocci was part of of the team that gave a presentation to the City Council last July on a plan for an adaptive reuse of the Armory building.

Tocci said “We believe it is both appropriate and deserving to have this opportunity to show what our Organization can do for the public good of New Rochelle”.

The presentation made in July was posted to YouTube by Talk of the Sound.

Part 1 of 4: Introduction and Vision for the Armory, Ron Tocci.

Part 2 of 4: Tech & Uses, Peter Parente.

Part 3 of 4: Finance, John Verni and Closing Remarks, John D’Alois & Ron Tocci

Part 4 of 4: Q&A with City Council

• Noam Bramson thanks SOA from coming.
• Barry Fertel asks for copy of Engineering Report.
• Noam Bramson explains limitations City is under due to Forest City MOU.
• Noam Bramson asks for indication of Monroe College’s level of interest in this concept
• Noam Bramson suggests that Forest City, Monroe College and Save Our Armory Committee Meet.
• Chuck Strome explains that Forest City controls all discussions on Armory property and building until December 31, 2010.
• Noam Bramson asks John Verni if “sources and uses” financial document is available?
• Richard St. Paul asks about Armory Removal (edited out due to length issues)
• Council and Staff discusses Forest City’s rights under MOU (edited out due to length issues) after which Noam Bramson explains Next Steps within that context.
• Richard St. Paul asks what the impact will be on the MOU or RFP from which the MOU was derived if Forest City plan does not include the Armory?
• Ron Tocci asks whether, if Forest City allows it, SOA can get into the building and make emergency repairs before winter?

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Tocci says he has two developers interested in pursuing a deal to rehabilitate the former New York State Naval Armory.