New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson pushed through a party line 5-2 City Council vote to deny Veterans and other New Rochelle residents an opportunity to develop a performing arts center at the New Rochelle Naval Armory. Instead, Bramson awarded the rights to develop the property to a group planning to turn the facility into a combination fruit stand/restaurant. One member of the group selected by Bramson has close personal ties to the Mayor’s wife, Katie Bramson.
The fruit stand/restaurant plan includes re-activating the dormant Nelstadt Concrete property as a truck depot for off-loading produce before sunrise 7 days a week, something that is sure to please residents of the neighboring Sutton Manor Association.
Ron Tocci, a veteran and former New York State Assemblyman, vowed to fight the Bramson-backed Good Profit group “tooth and nail”.
The Democrats who voted for the Good Profit proposal failed to address two central legal issues: (1) how the City Council expects to get a Home Rule bill approved when every state official elected from New Rochelle came out against a Home Rule bill for the Armory proposed in 2010 including George Latimer, the State Assemblyman who sponsored the 2010 Home Rule bill in the first place; (2) how the City will withstand an expected legal challenge on the grounds that converting the property over to for-profit, private enterprise would be a clear violation of the terms of the original deed transfer under which the City acquired the former New York Militia Naval Armory in 1997.
From a marking perspective, the Good Profit company can expect its facility to be shunned by South End residents, Westchester County veterans and many others offended by the high-handed tactics employed by the Mayor.
Perhaps the most unlikely vote came from Ivar Hyden who, for years, served on the New Rochelle Municipal Arts Council and has been active in promoting the arts in New Rochelle. Hyden voted against a plan to bring a brand new $24 million performing arts center to New Rochelle, a plan supported by the New Rochelle Opera, and instead took his marching orders from Noam Bramson to approve a plan to build a fruit stand and restaurant in a community rife with both.
Hyden refused an invitation to view a presentation on Tuesday night at City Hall by a leading architectural firm engaged by the veterans.
Jared Rice, who once pledged to bring a much-needed grocery store into the area around Lincoln Avenue in the heart of District 3, instead voted to bring an organic produce market to District 2. It remains to be seen how many of Rice’s constituents are prepared to get in a car and drive across town to pay $14.00 for a locally-grown, urban-organic, free-range radish.
I am going to declare here and now, for the record, that the idea of a fruit stand/restaurant where the “fun” of the dining experience is that you first go shopping for the ingredients that you then give to a kitchen worker to chop up and cook will be wildly popular among a small group of “foodies” (like Noam Bramson) for about 5 minutes. And once the fad of harvest your own salad ends, what then?
Let me be the first to pledge here and now that I will never patronize this so-called “Good Profit” facility or any other that does not have the unequivocal support of the New Rochelle residents who have fought for more than 10 years to preserve the Armory, much of that in the face of Noam Bramson’s burning desire to level the building.
Let the boycott begin!
Knock it down
Was the idea to save the Armory? Or only save it if a certain group could control it?
They should just tear it all down and make Veteran’s Memorial Park a nice green space.
Put the money to good use somewhere else.
We need police and fireman not a museum/eatery/performance space that will be an empty white washed window building by 2020 now matter who owns it and cries about it.
thank you mrs Bramson….
for your insightful and cutting edge slant on urban renewal. According to the latest council meeting the mayors choice of plan will require city backed financing in some form. The other group didn’t seem to need any. If the city is going to pay for it, you may have a point . Geez I guess the fruit don’t fall far from the tree after all. Say hi to junior for me.
Take a breath…
You are mixing a lot of apples and oranges here.
You ask “Was the idea to save the Armory? Or only save it if a certain group could control it?”
The idea was to fulfill the terms of the deed transfer under which the City of New Rochelle acquired the Armory from the State of New York. If you were in the least familiar with that document you would know that the deal with the State was that the City could acquire the property so that it could be converted to COMMUNITY use. There is only one group that has proposed a community use of the site that is also consistent with the HR&A recommendations for the site and consistent with the Echo Bay development plan. To wit, the proposal for a Performing Arts Center and Veterans Center. The other group has proposed a PRIVATE, FOR-PROFIT USE that is not consistent with the Deed of Transfer. Thus, a home rule bill will be required in Albany. The Veterans have already demonstrated their ability to defeat any such effort and will do so again, if necessary.
The so-called Good Profit group has proposed an illegal use of the property that will require a home rule bill that will not pass. They also assumed, for reason that remain a mystery, that the privately-owned Nelstadt property would be given to them FOR FREE. There is no scenario, including eminent domain, under which any group would be given a privately-owned property for free.
You wrote: “They should just tear it all down and make Veteran’s Memorial Park a nice green space.”
If you were familiar with the proposed Veterans Performing Arts Center you would know that the plan calls for almost the entire property, including the parking area, to be green space (the parking lot will have a roof that will be turfed so that entire space behind the building will be green all the way down to the waterfront walkway. If you want green space on that location then you are, in fact, supporting the Veterans Performing Arts Center plan.
You wrote: “Put the money to good use somewhere else.”
Both plans envision raising funds privately and seeking government grants and other sources of public funding. If neither is built then there is no money at all and thus there is no “somewhere else” to put the money unless.
You wrote: “We need police and fireman not a museum/eatery/performance space”
There is absolutely no connection between the City budget for fire and police and either of the two proposals for the Armory. If this was really your concern then you ought to be a lot more concerned about the $1mm a year for 20 years the Mayor proposes to spend to move the City Yard to clear the way for Forest City/Ratner. The (former) Development Commissioner has said the Forest City/Ratner development will not return a single dime to New Rochelle’s empty coffers for about 30 years. The City will spend $20 million during that time and get nothing more than a City Yard we already have. This is not to mention that $2 million a year spent on providing public school education for a tax abated property or the cost of dredging Echo Bay (another $10 mm). So, we are going in the hole about $70 million over 20 years so that Forest City/Ratner can build the equivalent of another Avalon next to the sewage treatment plant. Hmmm. Sounds like a great deal…for them.
You wrote “that will be an empty white washed window building by 2020 now matter who owns it and cries about it.”
Even Noam would not agree with you there. After 10 years of fighting to tear down the building, even our Mayor now agrees that the Armory can be the centerpiece of activating the Echo Bay waterfront. Maybe you should educate yourself a bit about what other communities around the country have done with THEIR armories. You might learnt that NO naval armory has ever been torn down. Every other community blessed to have been handed an armory like ours has turned into an amazing, attractive space.
Here is a small sample.
http://www.pcs.org
http://www.elevatearchitects.com/renovation/state-of-delaware-haslet-armory-conversion/
http://www.armoryliving.com/history.html
http://www.fxfowle.com/projects/renovation-adaptive-reuse/66th-street-armory-renovation.php
Google for “Armory Adatpive Reuse” for about 1,000 other examples.
New Rochelle, It is time to re-enlist!
The main supporters of the preservation of the NR Armory are most likely formulating a battle plan for the challenge of the vote and how it was executed. I am a child, grandchild and family member of WWI & WWII & Korean Vets, all the above while they lived and grew up in New Rochelle. I don’t necessarily seek to honor just those family members and friends who served in war. It is not only the Vets; it is the memories of what was once good about growing up in New Rochelle. Those days have passed and the lessons from the past are soon forgotten on those not old enough to remember the struggles of raising a family back then. No nannies, gardeners and the plethora of electronic devices of today. Not to mention the self-serving egos which have takeover the city and this country? The Armory and the Vets stand for a lot more than remembering wars. It is a life style and a code of ethics and patriotism that the wars instilled in the American people. Doing what is right for your family, friends, neighbors, city and even your enemies if the need arises.
I have held back on saying anything because you have all been making valid points and am also formulating my thought and opinions on what happened last week. I have been saying for a long time that The City Council and The Mayors actions are unacceptable to a point of being unethical. I believe Warren is most likely doing the same. I am sure there will be a post at some point from Warren. It isn’t just up to the few who post here on Talk Of The Sound. It is time for action, but well thought out actions that are effective and accomplish the goal of returning New Rochelle to its former status of Queen City of the Sound.
Use the Armory as a catalyst to start the ball rolling regardless which plan is on the table. Forest City should never have been mentioned as having any bearing on the decision of which plan was chosen. They can start their DEIS regardless of which proposal is voted on. Like many, I would urge the City Council and those that didn’t think things through to speak up and step up. Don’t let this go any further. The disgrace of having our New Rochelle Development Commissioner Michael Freimuth resign should serve as a wakeup call. So wake up Barry, Shari, Ivar and Jared because you could go down with the sinking ship. Start by looking out for the interests of New Rochelle taxpayers, the past, the present and the future of The City of New Rochelle.
This is no time for political cronyism and back room games. Your actions now and on future votes have and will show the citizens what you truly care about. Put it this way, you are already sending the wrong message. Make it right, break those ties and stand on your own two feet.
“Common sense for the Common Good”
Very well said…now can you get this post on the front page…
of whatever newspapers are still out there?
Otherwise, you have a captive audience of silently steaming fans of New Rochelle as it was, and are preaching to the choir.
I am sure Idoni II and his cronies are laughing at the venting here, since the venting will not translate into action until there is impolite action. By that I mean no: “please Mr. Mayor can I speak now?” at council meetings or posts on TOTS or the pay-per-view lohud.
What form can the impolite action take without Idoni II having his revenge? I leave that to the more level-headed here.
Watch This Space!
You will get an answer soon enough.
Sounds good…
I’m glad you’re on it.
I ‘always’ watch this space, whether I agree with you or not. You’re the last bastion of truth.
Where Are The Vets?
Where Are The Vets?
I found that to be a thoughtful question, so I thought about it.
Most NR Vets, even at this late date, are probably WWII Vets. The sailors among them, are the Vets who would have actually used the NR Armory when it functioned. Most adult men, between the ages of 18 and 45 were subject to the draft during WWII. My father and his two brothers were drafted, rsulting in the war death of his brother Burt at age 18, and the serious disabilities of my father. The three brothers grew up in NR, and two have since died. My uncle Sidney moved from NR decades ago.
Many WWII Vets are dead, many moved, and the rest are too aged to get involved in issues suich as the NR Armory.
In comparison to WWII, few people served in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq. The ones who served in Korea are also getting old enough to ignore the issue preserving the Armory.
I attended NRHS from 1966-69. There were 950 students in my graduating class. The men among us were certainly subject to the Vietnam draft. I’ve gone to a number of NRHS Reunions, but I have never met a NRHS grad who was drafted, and among the few who served in the military, I have never met a NRHS grad who served in Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos. As I understand it, the NR Draft Board’s members did not really support the war in Vietnam, and freely gave consciencious objector status to anyone who asked for it. That would certainly explain why so few post-WWII NRHS Grads are War Vets.
Anyone who served in Afghanistan or Iraq, is probably too young to have seen a functional Armory, and so the that would not be of interest to them. It is likely that few NR residents ever served in those wars. In fact, except for WWI & WWII, most Vets of the 20th and 21st Centuries, have tended to come from the South, Midwest and Rocky Mountain states, not from downstate NY or from New England.
I believe the main supporters of the preservation of the NR Armory, are like myself, children or grandchildren of WWI & WWII & Korean Vets, who seek to honor those family members and friends who served in war. But many of us have never served in the military.
I am unsure as to whether the City Council’s Armory proposal was the best, and I certainly suggested alternatives to what has been approved. However, I am pleased that the NR City Council, at least, acted to preserve the Armory. It buys time. If the City Council’s proposal doesn’t pan out, the citizens can always present new proposals in the future.
I understand your frustration, but since I also want to preserve the Armory, I am encouraging your efforts towards a greater effect. Focus on that issue. Don’t worry about the absence of the dead, aging, moved or non-existent Vets, Don’t make it a self-destructive Republican vs Democratic issue, as the NR demographics are overwhelmingly, increasingly Democratic.
Instead, educate the voter, throughout New Rochelle, of the actual issues and details. Let your cause sell itself, by making it social, cultural, historic and important.
Considering where we were six years ago, I am encouraged that the Armory still exists, and that the City Council is at all attempting preserve it. Our real loss was Ft Slocum in the 1970-80’s, something that was an unforgivable crime. Let’s not repeat it.
Interesting, thank you Brian…
……In comparison to WWII, few people served in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan or Iraq. The ones who served in Korea are also getting old enough to ignore the issue preserving the Armory.
Really? You believe there’s a paucity of veterans in New Rochelle of these wars? Or worse, that they would ‘ignore’ the issue of preserving the Armory? Surely they must realize, in addition to the historical significance of the Armory, that it is a symbol for the ongoing corruption and moreover, that is an a BLATANT example of the bid rigging of the decades old government of their city? That, and the complete lack of attention to downtown New Rochelle, has angered me for decades.
……As I understand it, the NR Draft Board’s members did not really support the war in Vietnam, and freely gave consciencious objector status to anyone who asked for it. That would certainly explain why so few post-WWII NRHS Grads are War Vets.
Fascinating. As happy as I am to read that, it is the INTENT of the Armory, if not so much the actual aim of Idoni II, who will eventually level it after his chic food market and asinine restaurant fail, that should be of significance to everyone old enough to have lived through the current wars. You say they ‘preserved’ it. Was it made an historical landmark, so greed cannot demolish it?
Then again, why am I bothering? I am not optimistic, one of the only true optimists has sadly left the board, and what is one more nail in the coffin of the sewer that is New Rochelle?
Onward and upward, Idoni II. As someone said, he will have ‘waterfront property developer’ on his resume when he gets his County job next to his mentor and replaces himself with Idoni III.
I found Brian’s post to be thoughtful, interesting, and emotionally balanced. Why the ‘minus 1’ points? What is the significance of the ‘points’ anyway? Are they akin to the idiotic ‘likes’ of Facebook? At any rate, thank you Brian. I’d like to say that I will be less vituperative from hereon, but as Warren knows, I can’t. Warren, please come back.
Is the bidding process toast!
Strange there’s no more bids from outside vendors for city project work…who’s watching the store?
Are we now going to see a new city department in charge of Green Grocers & Fruit Stands run by the mayors wife? Add another commissioner to the city payroll.
What do you think? Reallllllllllllly think?
……….Is the bidding process toast!
There never WAS a real, ethical, above-board bidding process. Just finding that out are you?
……….who’s watching the store?
I’ll give you ONE guess.
You don’t see Warren here anymore, do you?
As I just said in another post:
Bend over, good citizens of New Rochelle.
I wish you all the best.
Stop Latimer
I love all the comments. I want to state once again that if you think what the Mayor did here is wrong, and I do, then you need to send Bramson a message on election day and vote against his puppet Latimer. I hear state legislature is not going back into session until after election day, which means that if Cohen wins, the state senate won’t allow any legislation through until he takes office in January. So if state legislation is needed to let Good Profit move forward, Cohen is the only one that could stop them. Vote Cohen – Stop Latimer!
You may believe that, and I respect your opinion.
But I don’t believe it.
My question. I am ‘guessing’ that there are enough veterans of all wars living in New Rochelle, men and women who are brave and not afraid of one little Idoni clone in City Hall?
Where are they? Knowing now what they know and seeing the future of their Armory – where are they? Where is their outrage? Why aren’t they walking the sidewalk in front of the Armory with their protest, at least getting on Channel 12 News and here on TOTS?
Well? Where are they?
It was never worth saving
It was never worth saving in the first place. That parcel should be leveled and redeveloped along with the rest of the obscured water front that has been wasted for decades.
But having said that, I am more maligned with the underhanded tactics, and short sighted agenda of Bramson.
Wasted? Perhaps…
but what will happen, whom will the redevelopment benefit? Besides Idoni II of course, the uber rich who will buy the real estate and the park, if it happens, will be open to one and all, right?
Yeah, right.
Wasted for decades? Guess you haven’t walked in downtown for the last THIRTY+ years, have you? Downtown New Rochelle is a sewer, why not angst over the redevelopment, or rather lack of it, of that prime area?
Where will the uber rich shop? Of course! Elsewhere.
So? What are the good citizens of New Rochelle going to do about the ‘underhanded tactics’? Did I hear ‘nothing’?
Not in denial
The improvements made in the downtown are evident, if you compare today over the course of the past thirty years. But in no way shape or form is the downtown vital and vibrant. The parking is horrible and has never been addressed. And all of the new development has brought in little to no promised retail. It is all abated and a drain on the tax base.
Sure the Weyman development is an improvement, but again, when will be see the economic uptick.
The waterfront of NR has historically been under utilized. It was never properly used as a beacon to attract to the downtown. As glorious as any pie in the sky plan that has been (now rejected) presented, it was never the best plan. This Bramson Plan is equally as bad, if not worse. But look at it this way. When Nita is up, Noam can now add waterfront iniotiative to his resume.
Not in denial
The improvements made in the downtown are evident, if you compare today over the course of the past thirty years. But in no way shape or form is the downtown vital and vibrant. The parking is horrible and has never been addressed. And all of the new development has brought in little to no promised retail. It is all abated and a drain on the tax base.
Sure the Weyman development is an improvement, but again, when will be see the economic uptick.
The waterfront of NR has historically been under utilized. It was never properly used as a beacon to attract to the downtown. As glorious as any pie in the sky plan that has been (now rejected) presented, it was never the best plan. This Bramson Plan is equally as bad, if not worse. But look at it this way. When Nita is up, Noam can now add waterfront iniotiative to his resume.
Uh huh, okay…
you’ve answered a lot of questions I have about the future of New Rochelle.
Bend over, good citizens of New Rochelle.
I wish you all the best.
Not suprising that this scum
Not suprising that this scum of a mayor would pull this sought of thing. The veterans worked hard to save the armory and now Bramson has swiped it out from under them. I hope they sue the City for every nickel they can get.
Bramson’s retribution
This is nothing more than retribution by Bramson for Tocci kicking his ass in Bramson’s failed assembly run. Bramson kicked Tocci’s ass in a democratic primary when ultra liberal democrats turned out but when the electorate spoke Tocci soundly defeated Bramson. Bramson is the rich kid in the playground who when he doesn’t get his way takes his bat & ball home so no one can play.
Leave New Rochelle
The way God respond to corruption and violence is he lifts his Shroud, and expose the corruption and let them destroy themselves. Look how much corruption has been exposed. Look at the evil and ugliness of New Rochelle. This town has used shrouds for years to hide behind. God lift his hands off the ones that are corrupt. Either you serve GOD or Satan. People need to realize that there is a price to pay and they should be held accountable. Karma. Theres alot of people who have nothing but negative thoughts towards New Rochelle. Sad.
Rockland County is the BEST. Spacious properties, SAFER, costs less, food is delicious & people are divine. Did I say SAFER! The mayor of one of the towns I visited there is like your best friend! Because you won’t have any concerns! It is incredibly beautiful & peaceful.
Get the heck outta this organized crime ridden town of New Rochelle, fool!
Yes, I wish I had to drive across the TZB every day…AYK?
>>Rockland County is the BEST.
Thanks, but no thanks.
I’d rather see New Rochelle restored. Oh, and the TZB fixed.
Hey! Maybe they’ll both happen at the same time!
Glutton for Punishment
Restore schizophrenic New Rochelle?
Mmmmm….
Save your sanity.
Praise the saints… I am getting the heck out of this town.
I don’t need my legs broken, have a crutch handed to me, and have them say, “Now, if you only hadn’t…”
Armory vote
The City Council has changed the Queen City of the Sound to the Pimptown City of the Sound
Vote Cohen
It sounds like the only way to stop this project is to stop Latimer. We already know that a few years ago Latimer tried to sneak legislation through in the final days of session to allow the armory to be knocked down – so he will certainly rubber stamp this proposal from city council. However, if Latimer loses to Cohen and Cohen is sitting in the State Senate in January, New Rochelle’s veterans will finally get a fair shake. If New Rochelle picks Latimer over Cohen, New Rochelle is done.
Mr. Cox………
Were you called about the suspicious briefcase in front of the new Monroe dorm on Pelham Road, which incidentally will only spell trouble for that area?
Bomb sniffing dog, no evacuations – really, they lock down a school for a chain snatcher but don’t evacuate for a suspicious package? – and no media?
What gives?
Pudding still Cooking
The Proof is in the Pudding and in this case that proof will be if this group is able to secure solid finnancing for this endeavor.
That said, considering the SOA group had years and years of time to craft something substantial it was pitiful what they submitted. A bunch of “…and so on and so forth” & “……and whatever whatevers”, etc., etc. cannot be taken seriously.
sort of
You are right that the presentation given in August was not as good as the other presentation. You are not right that the Veterans had 10 years to put together a presentation. These things cost money and take time. First the armory had to be saved. Once that was agreed to and an RFP put out THEN the veterans went to work to put together their presentation.
What you may not know is that the Good Profit group was working with certain City officials for 8 months BEFORE the presentations were given. They were given exclusive access to the building. Noam made sure that everything was greased for Good Profit before the RFP was even announced.
It was a rigged game. That said, I agree that the Veterans should have realized that Noam would rig the game because Noam does not like to play any game that he has not rigged before hand.
You may also not know that the day before the vote, the Veterans brought in Shop Architects which, ironically, did the Barclay Center for Forest City Ratner at Atlantic Yard. Shop and their partner Shawmut, have an excellent presentation. All council members were invited to see the presentation but none of the Democrats came.
After 10 years working to save the armory from Bramson, Latimer, et al. it does not seem much to ask that the Veterans be allowed to give their presentation on THEIR terms not Noam’s terms.
It was a rigged game…noooooooooooooooooooo,
really?
Idoni II learned well from his mentor Idoni I.
So, what are the good citizens of New Rochelle going to do about it?
So Bob…did you know that 246 Pelham Road…
is a Monroe dorm?
Residents aren’t too happy, but I guess Idoni II didn’t ask them their opinion before he sold to the guy that rented to Monroe, did he?
What Bramson did was
What Bramson did was carefully calculated. He knew from the get go that he was never going to let this armory be saved because it doesn’t fit in with HIS vision of what the City should be. So to put the matter to rest, he allowed the RFP to go out but only because he had his own developer lined up. With the council stacked in his favor, it was a sure fire win the bum.
That said, any group that worked as hard as the SOA committee shoulkd have been given a little slack. They are not professional developers but they would have got the job done if given the go ahead from council. I hope they make the Mayor eat his words.
And I ask again, what are the good citizens of New Rochelle…
GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Get rid of Bramson
The guy is a “my way or the highway” control freak.
How? How do the good citizens of New Rochelle…
get rid of Idoni II?
Suggestions?
Real suggestions?
Anyone?
Use the same tactics Bramson
Use the same tactics Bramson uses. Dig up some dirt on him and disgrace him just like he did to Richard St. Paul. Also, line up a candidate for the next election who has a chance at beating him. This last election was a joke.
Let me say this, the SOA
Let me say this, the SOA didn’t and should not have had to submit any plans for revitalizing this building. It was the City’s responsibilty to maintain it as per the confines of the deed restriction. The City failed to live up to their end of the bargain and the veterans had to fight to save this building from the wrecking ball. They did that, they saved this building from destruction. Perhaps now the City ought to live up to their end of the agreement and repair this building for the veterans to enjoy.
Let me say this, the SOA
Let me say this, the SOA didn’t and should not have had to submit any plans for revitalizing this building. It was the City’s responsibilty to maintain it as per the confines of the deed restriction. The City failed to live up to their end of the bargain and the veterans had to fight to save this building from the wrecking ball. They did that, they saved this building from destruction. Perhaps now the City ought to live up to their end of the agreement and repair this building for the veterans to enjoy.
Just to Be Clear About Armory Development
What many don’t understand is that the SOA (Save Our Armory Committee) and all of it’s supporters have spent years trying to get the administrations to allow going forward with a development plan that serves the public. There have been a few versions through the years, but all have held true to the original conditions set forth by, and agreed to by past and present administrations. Everytime, I repeat EVERYTIME, any request to go forward was presented, the group was shut out. We have offered to stabilize the building, at NO COST to the city, we have offered to clean up the building (in fact, when we did show up to clean up the outside because of the embarrassing condition the city allowed to unfold, we were kicked off the premises) and we have offered in the past to develop. The question is, how much private money do you expend on a project when every past attempt has been completely ignored. Who is going to invest in a project when the city refuses to allow even a cursory review of a proposal. The mayor stated publicly, on the radio, the the city has reviewed and evaluated any possibility and the building just wasn’t worth the trouble. That’s a fact, because I asked the question. Since then I foiled for the report, and guess what, it doesn’t exist.
We have requested a MOU as a commitment to allow investors the opportunity to work with us. The city said no. Flash forward to present day and you’ll see with the RFP being issued we, the SOA, along with veterans groups and the folks from the New Rochelle Opera have submitted a plan in conjunction with SHOP Architects, Shawmut Engineering and Construction and others, yet somehow we were not given the same consideration that Good Profits was given. Our guess is that the truth will come out supporting conjecture that the RFP came about as a result of another group conducting back room conversations with the development department to secure an inside track toward awarding of the project. In my opinion, the RFP was a by product of these talks and the only way to award a contract legally was to issue an RFP, but this time the outcome was predetermined. Does anyone believe the group put together all of it’s parts in the historically short amount of time given from the issue of the RFP and the date for presentation?
Aside from these points, by all accounts both plans had issues regarding their numbers and plans. Why then the rush to vote? On a project such as this, why force a vote when many council members voiced concerns about the financing and outlines, especially if the concerns were the same for both projects.
So, yes, previous versions of the SOA plans were in fact, an outline for a vision. The fact is, that when it came time to put the cards on the table, the SOA and associates came to the table with a world class team of design and economic leaders. It was the city administration that, again, refused to cooperate. People will believe what they choose, however, that won’t change fact.
Why the Armory?
Now that you’ve lost the armory why not adapt the ‘world class plan’ and implement it for another facility? A facility that would require less upfront investment and overall maintenence and upkeep which would be an easier sell.
This way you can still provide the services outlined just not in the armory. Seems logical.
So just accept defeat, is that your advice?
Leave Idoni II to his suspect bid and the profits for his wife and friends and the ultimate leveling of the Armory when the market and restaurant fail, as planned?
Sure, why not.
m********
**************delete**********
NR Armory
BOYCOTT!!!! Maybe it’s time for me to move out of NR!
Does a fruit stand/restaurant really satisfy the terms of the original deed transfer of the armory?
Let the legal challenge begin!
It was obvious the fix was in
From the first comments by Commissioner Michael Freimuth it was obvious the “deal” had been struck long before the meeting. How could Freimuth just write off the Save Our Armory Group with his coment he just got more figures from them which he did not look at? Where was he and the rest of the Council for the last 14 years while the people of the City worked to save this Armory? How does the plan approved serve the community? The partisan vote is in keeping with all the downtown development which has been a drag on the taxpayers.
Mayor Launches Pearl Harbor Style Attack on New Rochelle VOTERS
Why would we think any different? There seems to be only one way of doing things in New Rochelle and that’s Bramson’s way, and his Gooneys on the counsel will do what ever he commands. I spent 4 years and countless hours at the Armory when I was in the Navy.
Armory would make great CHARTER SCHOOL
It’s needed as an alternative to south end schools and would be self-sustaining.
Harvard has graduated some of the most brilliant business minds
This is what Noam Bramson has come up with. It is sad in a way the potential is so great but the results he has and continues to bring is so mediocre. Has someone done a lead test in his home or maybe in his office at City Hall because if this is it, choose your Zucchini and then sit down and wait for it to be prepared I have to think something is amiss. I suggest immediate closing down of City Hall until lead testing comes back because there has to be an environmental issue to off load this much stupidity from one potential bright minded person.
There have been a number of these Epicures that have come and gone and this is it. Just give the building to the Girl Scouts and let them sell cookies or something.
You’re not serious, are you?
You don’t think the ‘front’ has anything to do with the actual aim and methodology behind the Armory, do you?
I guess you’re not old enough to remember the bookie joints on Union Avenue in the 1950s that had comic books out front?
Think about it, and maybe the answer will come to you.
Shameful behavior by all
First the council agrees to listen and issue an RFP for the Armory. But, only after they have backroom discussions with the dept of development and the mayor. Then they rush through the process to give the favored developer the inside edge. Michael Freimuth is on record as stating the timeline differently than what actually happened. Orchestrated, manipulated? We’ll see as the truth unfolds. In the meantime, boycott! Business as usual, good profit for “Good Profit” NOT for New Rochelle.
Boycott what?
The non-businesses in New Rochelle?
Idoni II is laughing all the way to the bank. It’s already a done deal and the citizens be damned.
One more nail in New Rochelle’s coffin
This should not shock anyone. Bramson will get legislation passed to modify the deed with George Latimer leading the democratic gang. Shelly will allow the citizens of New Rochelle and Veterans to be screwed before leaving Albany hand and hand with Lopez.
Bramson’s plan is two-fold with the final nail coming soon. I understand Bramson is going to call a special council meeting to once again ramrod a vote to bond tens of millions to move the city yard to Beechwood Avenue. Regardless of how you feel about the Armory, fruit stand & restaurants, the arts or Veterans , any council member who votes to bond millions with New Rochelle facing a $29 million dollar deficit BEFORE the City Manager releases the budget should RESIGN!
Why should they resign?
They’re in league with the devil, and will be paid off accordingly.
Will all those who think New Rochelle can be saved be at the council meeting and make a stink?
FRUIT STAND?
Hilarious. Noooooooooo, your beloved Idoni II pulled a fast one on the Queen City of the Sound?
I’ll be darned.
>>One member of the group selected by Bramson has close personal ties to the Mayor’s wife, Katie Bramson.
Noooooooooooooooo, he’s fattening his own coffers before he leaves to work at a post appointed for him by his mentor Idoni I?????
I’ll be darned.
How’s that revitalization of New Rochelle coming for you all?
Think I’ll go celebrate at the cabaret that Noam’s pal will be opening at 787 any day now, despite the protestations of the neighbors. Real people don’t count, do they Idoni II? No, of course they don’t.
Well done, Robert. Now let’s hope the citizens raise the roof on this.
Armory, Veg fruit stand ,resturant???????
WOW,
Let’s see, Take the Armory, and what used to be a concrete plant ,and make it a slash whare house trucking depote slash resturant!~!!!!
Then try to get developres to buy the rest of the properties remaining on our water front.
So on one end we will have a 24 hour truck stop and on the other side a newly EXPANNDED sewer treatment plant ..
Let me know when they finnish the unit’s and they are for sale….. becouse I know alot of people who would want to live and raise a familly between a raw sewage plant and desial fumes from eighteen wheller truck,s comming in and out at all hour’s of the day ..Don’t you?????