On Thursday, the city council approved a land use resolution backing the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s (NYCEDC) application for a $2 million grant to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory. The grant, part of Empire State Development’s Restore NY program, aims to restore deteriorating buildings to revitalize neighborhoods.
But a $2 million grant is just a drop in the bucket compared to the hundreds of millions the NYCEDC estimates will be needed to redevelop the massive Kingsbridge Heights structure. Built in 1917 as a military facility and designated a historic landmark in the 1970s, much of the armory remains in its original condition—although in disrepair. NYCEDC officials noted that bringing the building up to code alone would be a costly endeavor.
“We are leaving no stone unturned as we look to secure as many grants and funding opportunities to advance this project,” said Michelle Lamberti, the Vice President of Legislative Affairs at the NYCEDC.
The armory needs significant updates to plumbing and electrical systems, fire safety systems, a new roof and new windows. Environmental reports from the late aughts showed hazardous materials on the site like fuel tanks, asbestos and lead-based paint that would need to be removed.
The armory redevelopment has already secured over $200 million in pledged funding from the city and state to support various proposals for repurposing the space. But NYCEDC said at a subcommittee hearing last week that it estimated that redeveloping the huge, over-100-year-old landmark could cost more than double that after decades of neglect.
“The grant funding would address critical infrastructure needs at the armory and support the realization of goals included in the ‘Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan’,” Lamberti said.
The ‘Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan’ serves more as a set of guiding principles than a detailed blueprint for repurposing the defunct military hub. Over the course of nine months, NYCEDC collaborated with community stakeholders to identify priorities for the space, providing developers with a clearer understanding of the neighborhood’s needs and aspirations.
NYCEDC representatives said it is currently reviewing proposals from developers and promised to announce a partnership in the coming weeks.
Two previous attempts to repurpose the crumbling historic landmark failed, leaving over 500,000 square feet of space largely vacant for decades. However, representatives and community members now agree that it’s time to revitalize and repurpose the Kingsbridge Armory, emphasizing that its potential as an economic engine has been dormant for far too long.
Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez, who represents the Kingsbridge neighborhood, stated that the financial commitments for the project provide the strongest financial foundation yet for such a monumental undertaking.
“While we do not know what the project will be, we do know that past projects failed because they did not have adequate financing,” Sanchez said. “I remain committed to doing everything possible to promote an armory redevelopment that comports with the community vision plan.”
