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NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – No decisions were made Tuesday night in the discussion over how the city should use the site of its historic armory. The New Rochelle City Council said it needs time to ponder information from the two groups that presented plans for the site.
“There’s going to be no decision made tonight,” said New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson.
In the spring, the city council said it needed more information regarding how residents would like to see the former war supplies housing site used. The presentations on Tuesday marked the first dialogue to include the community. The council and residents also discussed how the site should become part of the city’s Echo Bay project to upgrade its waterfront.
Members of the development committee and advisory committee of the city’s Committee to Save the Armory suggested the site be renovated and made into a Veterans Memorial Center For The Performing Arts at an estimated cost of $2.8 million in money raised or donated.
The group said this would bring art to the site through exhibits, shows, theater productions, workshops, community events and lectures, allow the community to come together and interact, provide services to veterans such as job training and help improve the local economy by providing at 135 jobs, and opening a chain restaurant. The building would also have to be renovated, which the group estimated could be done with $6.5 million.
“It’s just a vision of success for us,” said development committee member Ronald Tucci.
The council still needed information about the project’s details from professional engineers, architects and other companies associated with the project. The council expects to receive this information in the next couple days.
The second plan proposed to the council from the Good Profit group, would turn the Armory into an open market at an estimated cost of $26 million in raised or donated funds with $19 million raised or received from donation.
The market would sell fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses, breads and other items. The group, which assists not-for-profits with their goals also sees room for an art gallery in the front of the building and would like to provide services to veterans. An eating area for customers who come to the market is also included.
“Our project is bold. Our project is courageous,” said Michael Blakeney of Good Profit.
The council plans to choose what it thinks is the best project for the site next month.
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