It’s been years since the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx was in regular use for any purpose, and it’s going to be a little longer. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), which owns the site, is giving developer Kingsbridge National Ice Center, co-run by former New York Rangers captain Mark Messier, another month to prove it has $138 million in in funding for the first phase of the project, Politico New York reported. The project would turn the vacant building into a 750,000-square-foot ice center, with nine rinks, an arena, and community and wellness centers.
The developer needs $158 million for the first phase ($20 million coming from other sources), but says an Empire State Development (Gov. Andrew Cuomo) promise of funding should satisfy NYCEDC’s (Mayor Bill de Blasio) requirements and they should turn over the lease already. "Delivery of the lease is all that remains before Kingsbridge can move forward with construction," William Brewer, a partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, told Politico New York.
The full project is estimated to cost $350 million, and was going to be paid for with money from a fund set up by now former St. Sen. Dean Skelos, but since his corruption conviction, that isn’t happening.
Back in 2009, Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a mall for the site, but City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz both opposed it. Quinn is no longer in city government, but Diaz supports the ice center plan.
• Mark Messier tussles with mayor over Cuomo funding for Kingsbridge [Politico New York]
• City extends deadline for Kingsbridge Armory developer [TRD]
• Kingsbridge National Ice Center [a as architecture]
• Dean Skelos and His Son Ask Judge to Spare Them a Prison Sentence [NYT]
• All Kingsbridge Armory coverage [Curbed]