Q&A
Council Member Riley questions EDC representatives about Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment
0:13:07
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151 sec
Council Member Kevin C. Riley conducts a Q&A session with representatives from the New York City Economic Development Corporation regarding the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment project. The discussion covers potential uses for the $2 million grant, the impact if the grant application is denied, and future steps for community outreach.
- EDC representatives explain that the grant would address critical infrastructure needs of the armory, including plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems.
- They express commitment to the project's success, even if the grant is denied, and would seek alternative funding.
- Future community outreach will involve public approval processes, including environmental review and ULURP, building on the previously developed vision plan.
Kevin C. Riley
0:13:07
Thank you so much.
0:13:08
I just have, 3 questions real quick, and I'm a see if council member Sanchez has any questions.
0:13:14
I understand that you're taking excuse me.
0:13:15
I understand you're talking about a future project that hasn't yet been announced.
0:13:20
What can you tell us today about how this funding might be used on this project?
Michelle Lamberti
0:13:25
Sure.
0:13:25
Thank you for that question, council member.
0:13:27
So I I think as I mentioned, we, we are looking forward to making a public announcement about the project soon.
0:13:34
I would point to, as I mentioned in my testimony, the armory has a lot of existing, like, really critical infrastructure needs that will need to be addressed, irrespective of what project, comes before you and we move forward with.
0:13:47
Some of those are, like, the plumbing in the HVAC system, adequate electrical.
0:13:51
Some of you might know about the persistent flooding problem at the armory.
0:13:56
So there is a lot that needs to be done.
0:13:58
The $2,000,000, can be used towards, renovation and redevelopment, and these funds would be employed for those purposes.
Kevin C. Riley
0:14:07
If the state were to deny this application for whatever reason, how would the impact oh, excuse me.
0:14:13
How would that impact the plans for this significant project?
Michelle Lamberti
0:14:16
I mean, I think we are, committed to seeing this project as a success for the city.
0:14:20
And so, we would we would be thoroughly disappointed because we think it's a really great project for the state to be putting more money towards.
0:14:28
But we would, continue to look for additional funding efforts to make sure that this project, comes to fruition.
Kevin C. Riley
0:14:35
In the context of the Kingsbridge vision plan, is there anything you can share with us regarding future steps in terms of community outreach?
Michelle Lamberti
0:14:44
Sure.
0:14:44
I
Jana Pohorelsky
0:14:45
can take that.
0:14:45
So, what?
0:14:47
I
Kevin C. Riley
0:14:47
need you to press the mic.
Jana Pohorelsky
0:14:49
Great.
0:14:50
Better?
0:14:50
Okay.
Kevin C. Riley
0:14:51
Yes.
Jana Pohorelsky
0:14:52
So, yeah.
0:14:52
So we are very excited, to be announcing a developer shortly.
0:14:59
In terms of the next steps on community outreach, the process that we would go through is the public approvals process.
Michelle Lamberti
0:15:06
So, environmental review and UHRLP.
Pierina Ana Sanchez
0:15:06
And so, of course,
Kevin C. Riley
0:15:07
we'll be back
Jana Pohorelsky
0:15:07
in front of the committee to, to dig out discuss those steps.
0:15:09
But, as a council member mentioned, we spoke with over 4,000 residents in the process that led to the development of that vision plan.
0:15:19
The vision plan has been a key guiding document in our review of proposals, for the future developer and so we're excited to, to continue outreach and seek additional, engagement from the community as we move through the public approvals process.
Kevin C. Riley
0:15:33
Thank you.
0:15:35
That's the end of my question.
0:15:37
Council member Sanchez, do you have any questions?
