As a follow-up to the presentation given to city council regarding the potential for the Armory, the group, once again, requests the opportunity to move forward with the restoration and utilization of New Rochelle’s history. Forest City, the current developer has caved under pressure from the residents and attempted to provide a vague and ambiguous presentation that attempts to placate the bare minimum in order to force through an extension to their Memorandum of Understanding. This allows Forest City to shut out all competition from moving forward with a plan that makes sense for the city rather than lining the pockets of the developer.
(reprint courtesy of Talk of the Sound)
A former New York State Assemblyman from New Rochelle is calling on the City of New Rochelle to halt negotiations with Forest City Rattner for a further extension of a Memorandum of Understanding which expired last month. Ronald C. Tocci, writing on behalf of all Veterans Service Organizations, the Save Our Armory Committee, and concerned citizens, wants the City to instead extend a one year Memorandum of Understanding to local groups represented by Tocci.
Tocci served as New York State Commissioner for Veterans Affairs from 2005 to 2007.
“We are formally requesting the opportunity to meet with Council to present our plans regarding the preservation and restoration of the New Rochelle Naval Armory building and property,” said Tocci.
Tocci was part of the team that gave a presentation to the City Council last July on a plan for an adaptive reuse of the Armory building.
Tocci said “We believe it is both appropriate and deserving to have this opportunity to show what our Organization can do for the public good of New Rochelle”.
Armories – Then and Now
February 20, 2011The potential of this building has been realized
In this series, we will begin to look at various armories around the country in an effort to represent how their intrinsic value served as a foundation to link the past with the future. While the actual applications may vary, you’ll start to see a theme of community enrichment on so many levels.
A marvelous structure from both design and engineering standpoints, the Armory now houses the University of Illinois Men’s and Women’s Track and Field events. From the UI Fighting Illini Facilities website : ” When completed the Armory was the largest free-span, no center support system, structure in the world. The “drill hall” now referred to as the main floor, measures 200 feet by 400 feet with a ceiling height of 98 feet.” * Impressive in its own right.
Intercollegiate athletics, local sports at a national level, just one of the many ways these grand structures continue to weave the fabric of a local society as they unlock the potential of future generations. 97 years of service, generations of students moving on to change the world, setting the example for those who follow. Go ILLINI !
A Stellar Example Reinforcing the "Rich in History" Theme
A cluster of mediocre co-ops or a community enrichment facility in a historical setting, what would serve the interest of New Rochelle best? The answer is clear.
IT’S YOUR ARMORY – USE IT !
* cited from the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. For more information or to show your support visit; http://www.athletics.illinois.edu/facilities/default.htm
Historical postcard courtesy of US Town Views “The largest town postcard website”. Visit their site, there’s something for everyone.
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Posted in Armory Success Stories, Opinion/Commentary, Uncategorized | Tagged adaptive re-use of an Armory, New Rochelle Armory | Leave a Comment »