The six-day bicycle race, made popular in Madison Square Garden in the late 1800s but not held in the city for decades, could be coming to the long-vacant Kingsbridge Armory come spring time. If that works out, event organizers say they will push for the Armory to become the permanent home of a regional bicycling center.

In a presentation on the expansive 575,000-square-foot drill floor of the Armory two weeks ago, National Cycling Association CEO Jack Simes presented the two-part proposal and renderings of the velodrome, an angled, oval racing track, created by Ralph Schuermann, designer of four Olympic velodromes.

The NCA estimates the cost of a one-time event, which would include free bike clinics for youth, the installation of the track, bleacher seating for 2,500 spectators, concession stands and bathrooms, would run about $700,000. Simes said the costs would be covered by private sponsors.

In addition to funding the event, Simes would need approval from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), which manages the property for the city. The NCA has yet to submit a proposal.

“Before we would sign off on the Armory, someone needs to submit a plan, at which time we will review it,” said EDC spokesperson Kyle Sklerov.

Simes said the NCA would build off the success of the event and work to turn the Amory into a regional bicycling center that would include a permanent velodrome, BMX park and create cycling programs for youth. He said public and private funding would be needed for the long-term transformation of the Armory.

Rich Conroy of Bike NY said the velodrome would be a “tremendous help” in promoting bicycling in the Bronx and New York City.

Simes said the biking programs would have a significant impact on the Bronx’s acute obesity and asthma problems. Citing the 168th Street Armory, now used by more than 100,000 kids a year for track and field purposes, they hope the Kingsbridge Armory could do the same with biking.

“Cycling is a substantial part of our culture,” said Simes. “It crosses all racial and cultural boundaries.”

Now a foreign concept in the United States, the six-day bike race is popular in Europe. The bike races are combined with an ongoing festival that includes beer gardens, bike expos, and live music lining the track.

While the original format of the bike race involved continuous biking shared between a team for six straight days, the modern race features a series of individual and team relays happening each of the six nights.

Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, a member of the Kingsbridge Armory Redevlopment Alliance (KARA), a coalition of residents, clergy and community groups advocating for responsible development of the Armory, criticized the NCA for failing to approach them and other key community groups. She also said the plan would not benefit the community.

“This is a temporary idea for next spring that does nothing for the surrounding community,” Pilgirm-Hunter said in a phone interview. “They will make money, the community will not.”

KARA is advocating for a multi-use facility with living-wage jobs ($10 an hour, plus benefits), job training, and new schools at the forefront of their plans.

“We cannot take any more part-time, minimum-wage jobs in this community,” said Pilgim-Hunter.

The NCA did present the proposal the Kingsbridge Armory Task Force, which included Pilgrim-Hunter and was headed by Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and Council Member Fernando Cabrera.

At the event, Diaz called on the mayor to release a request for proposals for the Armory. In late 2009, the City Council, backed by Diaz and KARA, killed a Bloomberg-supported plan to transform the mall into a shopping mall.