As we close 2014, the Norwood News wants to take you back to Dec. 2013 when the New York City Council, led by its Bronx delegation, overwhelmingly voted in favor of re-purposing the Kingsbridge Armory into the world’s largest ice skating rink. The fervor was exciting for the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. History had unfolded. The community was happy thanks to its legally binding Community Benefits Agreement.

Many elected officials praised the project as the start of a new frontier for the Bronx—the rise of a burgeoning borough-wide sports Mecca. A smart first step as the borough dominated in the economic development front in 2014. It would be a great challenge.

That was a year ago.

These days, the Armory saga has moved mostly to the courtroom, where a rift among developers derailed the start of the project. By and large, it was a major setback for a project that’s deemed a game changer for the Bronx, further putting the borough on a positive track.

Stories delving into the Armory’s lawsuit, its giant price tag, and early signs of gentrification have been explored by local media. And yet, not one story has been made on its projected groundbreaking. That’s because no date has even been set.

To be fair, a disclaimer: though benchmarks for the Armory have been few, it may not mean some behind-the-scenes dealings are in the works.

Once the Norwood News let the cat out of the bag that there was a plan for an editorial on Armory, Stephan Butler, KNIC’s executive vice president, emphasized that there are talks with unnamed stakeholders, though it’s a “long process.” An even greater process, according to Butler, is determining how much work will be needed to have the building ready.

Among the variables KNIC’s exploring is how much cleanup is needed to remove any, if at all, hazardous materials and lead paint, how much wiring and electrical duct work is needed. What needs to be answered, according to Butler, is the unknown. “The unknown piece is how much,” said Butler. “We have to go through our checklist.”

As for the date the rink will open, Mr. Butler remained cautiously optimistic on whether it will open in 2017.

“We certainly want to say [2017], we just don’t know…not that we don’t know, it’s just we just need more information. And we’re in the middle of getting that,” said Butler, adding the group just recently began looking at the building two months after it had signed a 99-year lease agreement with the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Step one has finally been reached. The bigger question is when will step two, a true groundbreaking, be accomplished? So to the stakeholders reading, hear this plea: Make 2015 the year the Kingsbridge Armory is shovel ready. Make it so that the 8-year-olds considering to take part in KNIC’s after school programs can do so by age 12.

Editor’s Note: To all of our readers, have a happy and safe 2015. If you like to submit an item for our opinions section, send them to dcruz@norwoodnews.org

 

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