Welcome to the latest edition of the Bronx News Roundup. These are the Bronx news stories we’re following today.
For today’s special edition, let’s wade through some of the latest Kingsbridge Armory coverage:
—HuffPost does a good job of summing up the deal in a big picture way.
— ABC News has a couple of interesting tidbits, such as the architect for the new ice complex being the same company that redesigned Madison Square Garden and that the Islanders might use the Armory facilities for practices when the team moves from Long Island to the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn in 2015. (Except the Armory won’t be open for business until 2018.)
— Some good “fun stuff” from NY Curbed about the facilities, including: five of the rinks will be on the main floor of the Armory with the four on elevated platforms that will be 40 feet above the main floor. They note that two of rinks will accessible to disabled hockey players.
— WNYC talked to at least two local residents who weren’t thrilled with an enormous ice sports center coming to their neighborhood, including 16-year-old Mario Davila, who said this: “In this big building, put something educational, either a museum, a place for kids to learn history, turn it into a school, or just do anything except putting an ice skating rink, a hang out spot.”
— About the school idea: There was a question about it being included in the project, but the EDC quickly dismissed it, saying there were discussions about using the two annex buildings on the north side of the Armory, but that the National Guard still occupies that space and they’d have to agree to move somewhere before that happens. (Perhaps they could use the vacant Muller Army Reserve Center in Wakefield. Oh wait, that’s slated to be turned into a giant homeless shelter, thanks to the Bloomberg administration’s power play, which disregarded loud community opposition.)
— The Daily News has quotes from the sports stars and some nice photos from Edward Reed.
— DNAinfo has some good details and information on the benefits agreement, which Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, one of the lead negotiators on the agreement, says is “strongest CBA in the country.” Story also mentions that the developers say at least 20 schools and organizations have contacted them about renting space.
— Best lede, Capital NY reporter Dana Rubenstein: “On Tuesday morning, inside the chilly and cavernous Kingsbridge Armory, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. gave Mayor Michael Bloomberg a bear hug.” (He did. Awwwwwkward.)
— Cheesiest headline, Crain’s: “Toe pick! Bronx armory to become ice hockey, skating rinks”