Bedford-Union Armory’s community center gets $15M from Cuomo

The newest component of Crown Heights’s Bedford-Union Armory redevelopment is a cultural center that will be named in honor of Carey Gabay, an aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo, who was killed by a stray bullet during the J’ouvert celebrations in 2015.

The Governor made the announcement at this year’s West Indian Day Parade, which took place on Monday. The state will spend $15 million to create the Carey Gabay Community Center, and this community facility will house many of the services that were promised as part of the redevelopment process of the Armory.

These services include a 25-meter swimming pool, a fitness center, basketball courts, and a flexible multi-sport court space. The community center will also be home to seven community-based organizations, with a social services-based organization anchoring this group. Finally, the community center will also house the Carey Gabay Foundation, which is run by his wife, Trenelle Gabay. Carey grew up in public housing in the Bronx and later went on to study at Harvard University and Harvard Law School before working in Governor Cuomo’s office as legal counsel.

“Carey Gabay exemplified what it truly means to be a public servant, choosing to dedicate his talents to helping others and making this a better community, a better state and a better world,” said Governor Cuomo, in a statement. “This center will help continue Carey’s inspiring legacy of good work and support our efforts to create new opportunities in Brooklyn communities.”

Following the approval of the Bedford-Union Armory redevelopment last winter, the development team, led by BFC Partners, has so far announced an eight-story rental, and a 15-story rental. Together these building will bring 400 new apartments to the neighborhood, of which 250 will be affordable units. The official announcement of the community center is the latest addition to the redevelopment.

• All the Bedford-Union Armory coverage [Curbed]