Bronx News (Bxnews.net): $250 Mil Rehab of Armory Unveiled

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): $250 Mil Rehab of Armory Unveiled:   (Mayor Bloomberg Announces Plans to Transform Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx Into World’s Largest Indoor Ice Facility April 23, 201...

$250 Mil Rehab of Armory Unveiled

 

(Mayor Bloomberg Announces Plans to Transform Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx Into World’s Largest Indoor Ice Facility April 23, 2013
Photo by Edward Reed)

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 23- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced plans to transform the iconic Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx – vacant since 1996 – into the world’s largest indoor ice facility. The landmark armory, which occupies a full City block at 29 West Kingsbridge Road, will be redeveloped into a 750,000-square-foot ice sports facility to be known as Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC).

 

KNIC will feature nine year-round indoor regulation size ice rinks, including a feature rink that can seat approximately 5,000 people and be used to host national and international ice hockey tournaments, figure and speed skating competitions and ice shows. The project will also include 50,000 square feet of space designated for community uses. It is expected that KNIC will draw more than 2 million visitors a year, vastly increasing the options of ice facilities in New York City, where there are currently only seven year-round ice rinks, none of which are located in the Bronx. The project represents a private investment of $275 million, which will generate 890 construction jobs and 267 permanent jobs. Mayor Bloomberg made the announcement at the Kingsbridge Armory and was joined by KNIC Partners LLC Founder Kevin Parker, New York Rangers hockey legend Mark Messier, Olympic Figure Skating Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., City Council Member Cabrera and New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky.

 

“Through this redevelopment the Kingsbridge Armory will now have an interior program befitting its iconic exterior architecture,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The construction of the world’s largest indoor ice rink facility will create recreational opportunities for millions of visitors and local residents, and most importantly create hundreds of jobs for the local community. This plan is proof that working together we can put aside our differences and do what’s best for the city.”

 

“This project is further proof that the Bloomberg Administration’s efforts to bring economic investment to the Bronx are paying dividends,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel. “Soon this building, which has been vacant for more than a decade, will be brought back to life through hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment, becoming a destination for millions of visitors each year.”

 

“This historic announcement represents a great achievement for the Bronx and the entire City,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky. “The Bloomberg Administration has long been committed to revitalizing the Bronx, and this $275 million private investment is another step forward, bringing a landmark building back to life with the largest ice sports facility in the world, while creating nearly 1,200 permanent and construction jobs that will contribute the area’s long-term economic growth.”

 

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for the historic Kingsbridge Armory,” said Kevin Parker, founder of KNIC Partners. “I thank Mayor Bloomberg and the New York City Economic Development Corporation for this tremendous honor and for believing in our vision, and look forward to working with the community throughout this process to ensure the Armory’s future is as incredible as its past. This project is about opportunity, first and foremost, and we are confident the Kingsbridge National Ice Center will become a source of pride for the Bronx and all of New York City for generations to come.”

“This is a fantastic project, one that will bring living wage jobs and new recreation opportunities to the northwest Bronx while completely transforming a long-vacant space into a new amenity that will complement the surrounding community,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This project shows the tremendous opportunity the Bronx has to offer, and I am proud to have helped move the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory forward.”

 

“I’m pleased to see the outcome of what my office initiated with the efforts and early-stage-discussion in the very beginning, paving the way for the deal that has been brokered,” said Councilmember Fernando Cabrera. “Back in 2010 I asked Seth Pinsky, President of the Economic Development Corporation, to consider releasing the Kingsbridge Armory Request for Proposals. I want to thank President Pinsky for his willingness to constructively engage the community in the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory. The EDC selected the developer based on the people’s best interest. I’m glad to see that the project has a comprehensive community benefits agreement that is going to bring changes to District 14, the Bronx and beyond.”

 

“Today we are one step closer to transforming the Kingsbridge Armory into an important economic engine for the surrounding Kingsbridge community and the Bronx as a whole,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “I am incredibly pleased that we were able to reach an agreement with the Kingsbridge National Ice Center that addresses the needs of the community I serve.”

 

“I commend Mayor Bloomberg for his leadership in reaching this decision,” said New York Rangers legend and NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier. “As a hockey player, I believe the Kingsbridge National Ice Center will change the sport in the metropolitan area. As a New Yorker, I know it will also change this city, providing invaluable educational and athletic opportunity to thousands of young people, and transforming the Bronx into the new center of ice sports in the United States.”

 

“Today is a day for New York City to celebrate,” said Olympic Champion figure skater Sarah Hughes. “The Kingsbridge National Ice Center – and the educational and fitness initiatives it will create – represents new possibilities for so many children, including those who dream of one day becoming Olympic champions. This is the start of something incredible for the Bronx and I am proud to be part of it.”

 

Of the nine ice rinks, five will be located on the main floor and four will be constructed on two platforms elevated approximately 40 feet above the main floor. At least two rinks at KNIC will be sled hockey-compatible for people with disabilities. The facility is expected to be open 365 days a year. In addition to the ice rinks, the facility will feature: a wellness center, with off-ice training fitness, rehabilitation and sports therapy programs; dressing rooms and lockers with storage for individual hockey equipment; concession space; retail space for ice sport goods; and parking for approximately 480 cars. Renderings are available at www.flickr.com/nycmayorsoffice.

 

KNIC also plans to create a foundation to establish free after-school ice sports and academic tutoring programs for disadvantaged youth. The program will be modeled after the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in Philadelphia with the goal of providing 12 hours of ice time each weekday during the school year and 9 hours each weekday during summer.

 

The project will now begin a comprehensive public and environmental review with an anticipated groundbreaking in late 2014. The entire project will be built in two phases, with the first phase, consisting of five ice rinks, 50,000 square feet community space, concessions and parking, expected to be complete by September 2018. The remainder of the project will be built in the second phase, which is expected to open by September 2019.

 

KNIC Partners LLC was selected through a competitive public process that began with the issuance of an RFP by NYCEDC in January 2012, and will now enter into a 99-year lease for the property. The RFP sought a redevelopment plan that would promote economic growth in Kingsbridge and surrounding neighborhoods, provide quality jobs for local residents, and create an exciting destination for people throughout the Bronx and the City.

 

Built between 1912 and 1917, the Kingsbridge Armory was designed by the architecture firm of Pilcher and Tachau and is an outstanding example of military architecture featuring Romanesque arches, vaulted ceilings, decorative brick and terra cotta, and large battlement towers. Thought to be the largest armory in the world, Kingsbridge Armory is an approximately 575,000 square foot landmarked building. The 180,000 square foot main drill floor measures 300 feet by 600 feet – more than a full New York City block – and is spanned freely by pairs of vaulted steel trusses that rise 110 feet above the drill hall floor. Beneath the drill floor, a 105,000 square foot basement level and a 207,000 square foot sub-basement formerly housed offices, a garage, rifle and pistol ranges, a dining room, a gymnasium, and an auditorium.  In addition, on the Armory’s south façade is a 35,000 square foot head-house, the central feature of which is a double-height entrance foyer with a vaulted ceiling. The Armory has not been used for military purposes since 1993. The City has invested about $30 million in capital funds for environmental cleanup in the building, replacement of its roof and repairs to the façade.

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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Water Main Break Wrecks Havoc in Fordham

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Water Main Break Wrecks Havoc in Fordham: (Photos by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, April 22- A broken water main flooded the backyards and basements of several b...

Water Main Break Wrecks Havoc in Fordham

(Photos by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 22- A broken water main flooded the backyards and basements of several buildings and also caused a partial street collapse-- that nearly swallowed a truck.

Officials were first called to a report of flooding at E. 184 Street, between Ryer and Valentine Avenue's in the Fordham Heights section, at just before 8:30 a.m., on April 20.

Dozens of officials from the FDNY, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) responded as thousands of gallons of water quickly filled up in the basements of six building's and a large, shared backyard.

Children's toys and garbage could be seen floating in the murky water.

As a large DEP work truck responded to the scene, a large sinkhole opened at the corner of Ryer Avenue and E. 184 Street. The ground quickly swallowed the rear wheels of the truck.

Officials say the FDNY assisted in removing the truck from the hole. Water to the area was temporarily turned off to 250 customers in the area, as DEP crews would locate and fix the broken six-inch water main and valve. A Department of Transportation crew will also fix the hole in street.

The effected homes were between Ryer Avenue to the Grand Concourse, from E. 184 Street to E. 187 Street. Officials also say that a truck providing water to the community will be available during this emergency.    

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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Manhattan Drops Doubleheader Against Canisius

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Manhattan Drops Doubleheader Against Canisius: BRONX, NEW YORK, April 22- Last season, the Manhattan College baseball team won its second consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (...

Manhattan Drops Doubleheader Against Canisius

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 22- Last season, the Manhattan College baseball team won its second consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title by defeating Canisius twice on the final day of the MAAC Tournament. The Jaspers and Griffs met for the first time since those championship tilts on Saturday afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park. Canisius (26-10, 6-5 MAAC) swept the twinbill, taking game one by a 9-5 margin before posting a 4-3 victory over the Jaspers (16-20, 6-8 MAAC) in the nightcap.

Manhattan got on the board first in Game One, scoring three times in the bottom of the fourth. Chris Reynolds (Wall, N.J.) started the rally by bunting for a base hit. Reynolds then stole second and Christian Santisteban (Miami, Fla.) drew a walk, putting runners on first and second with one out for Ramon Ortega (Miami, Fla.), who delivered an RBI single to center field. After a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, Brendan Slattery (Danbury, Conn.) knocked them both in with a single to center.

However, Canisius countered with a four-spot in the top of the fifth. The Griffs started the inning with three consecutive doubles and later added an RBI triple by Brett Siddall and a sacrifice fly by Jimmy Luppens. Canisius extended its cushion to 8-3 with four runs in the seventh. The big blow in the inning was Anthony Massicci’s two-run single to center. Massicci then scored on Ronnie Bernick’s single in the ninth, making it 9-3 in favor of the Griffs.

Ortega crushed a home run that was just fair down the left field line leading off the bottom of the ninth, and Joe McClennan (Highland Mills, N.Y.) followed with a walk. Andrew Gorecki (Smithtown, N.Y.) then smashed a double to left center that allowed McClennan to come around. However, he was left stranded on second, as the Griffs’ Rohn Pierce induced a pair of fly balls to close out the 9-5 Canisius victory.

As a team, Manhattan collected six hits in the contest, with Ortega going 2-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. Slattery went 1-for-4 with two RBIs, while Gorecki was 1-for-4 with an RBI double. John Soldinger (Bay Shore, N.Y.) (2-3) took the loss after yielding six runs on six hits in six innings. He also struck out four and walked two. Kevin Bonanni (Plainview, N.Y.) tossed the final three innings, surrendering three runs on five hits, striking out two and walking two.

Four different Canisius players finished with two hits, as the Griffs collected 11 hits as a team. Massicci was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Bernick went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs. Garrett Cortright (7-2) earned the win after allowing three runs and four hits while also recording four strikeouts and four walks in eight innings. Pierce pitched the ninth was charged with two runs, two hits and a walk. He also registered a strikeout. In Game Two, the Jaspers picked up an unearned tally without the benefit of a hit in the bottom of the first. Nick Camastro (Lagrangeville, N.Y.) led off and reached on an error, and Reynolds bunted him over to second. Canisius pitcher Alex Godzak tried to pick Camastro off second base, but threw the ball into center field, allowing him to move to third. Kyle Murphy (Danbury, Conn.) then sent a grounder towards third and the Griffs tried to get the out at home, but Camastro beat the throw, giving the Jaspers a 1-0 lead.

The Griffs tied it with an unearned run of their own in the top of the second. Connor Panas singled to center field with one out, and he advanced to third when the ball was misplayed and rolled all the way to the wall. Massicci then singled to left, allowing Panas to score.

After Murphy and Santisteban led off the bottom of the fourth with back-to-back singles, Ortega put the Jaspers back in front with an RBI base hit to right. Godzak then retired McClennan on a foul pop up before Slattery ripped a single through the left side. Santisteban tried to score from second on the play, but was thrown out at home, and Canisius got out of the inning when Joe Rock (Carmel, N.Y.) popped up behind third.

Canisius immediately responded to take the lead. Chris Gruarin drew a one-out walk and Bernick followed with a single. Ryan Coppinger then sent a blast to the wall in center field that ended up as a two-run triple. Kelso was up next, and his scorcher back up the middle went for an infield hit, resulting in another run. Michael Martin (Massapequa, N.Y.) was then called upon in relief of Jacob Marchus (Miami, Fla.), and he retired the first two batters he faced to get out of the inning.

Murphy started a Manhattan rally when he was hit by a pitch leading off the bottom of the sixth. Santisteban then drew a walk, prompting Canisius to call upon closer Jon Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons got Ortega to fly to center, and Murphy tagged up in order to drew a throw. The throw to third went wide, though, and Murphy moved up on the error. McClennan was up next and dropped down a perfect bunt on a squeeze play, allowing Murphy to score and moving Santisteban to second as the tying run. However, Fitzsimmons retired Slattery on strikes to end the frame.

The Jaspers put the tying run on base again on Camastro’s two-out single in the seventh, but Reynolds struck out to end the game, giving Canisius a 4-3 victory and a doubleheader sweep.

Five different Jaspers singled in the game, with Murphy going 1-for-2 with an RBI and scoring twice. Ortega was 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Camastro went 1-for-4 with a run scored. Marchus (2-2), who’s normally used as Manhattan’s closer, made his first start of the season and lasted 4.1 innings. He took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) and seven hits while also recording four strikeouts and two walks. Martin picked up a strikeout and didn’t give up a hit in 2.2 innings of scoreless relief.

Kelso was 2-for-3 with an RBI for Canisius, which collected seven hits as a team. Coppinger went 1-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs, while Massicci was 1-for-2 with an RBI. Godzak (6-2) earned the win after surrendering three runs (one earned) and four hits with four strikeouts and a walk in five innings of work. Fitzsimmons notched his sixth save after yielding just one hit and striking out three in two innings.

The Jaspers, who prior to last week had not been swept in a home conference doubleheader since 2007, have now lost four straight MAAC games (and five overall) at Van Cortlandt Park.

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Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Clinton Mauled by Lehman

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Clinton Mauled by Lehman: Photos by Gary Quintal The Lehman Lions walloped Clinton 14-2 at Dewitt Clinton High School. Clinton's starting pitcher managed only o...