View Single Post
  #48  
Old Posted Dec 11, 2013, 10:14 PM
NYguy's Avatar
NYguy NYguy is offline
New Yorker for life
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Borough of Jersey
Posts: 51,747
http://archrecord.construction.com/n...s-Facility.asp

NYC Approves a Plan to Transform a Bronx Armory into the World’s Largest Ice Sports Facility


By Josephine Minutillo
December 11, 2013


Quote:
The Kingsbridge Armory may be the largest armory in the world. At least, it had the biggest drill hall in the world, measuring 300-by-600 feet when it was built between 1912-17 by the firm of Pilcher & Tachau. After sitting vacant for nearly 20 years, plans are now in motion to turn that cavernous space into the world’s largest ice sports facility.

Located on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx, the landmark structure–modeled after a French medieval castle to project an image of intimidation and impregnability as was the style for militia buildings at the time–had instead become a symbol of neglect in a neighborhood in need of revitalization, fenced off and abandoned as politicians and developers fought over its future during a two-decade long saga.

The $320 million-project, paid entirely by KNIC and slated to open in 2017 (the building’s 100th birthday), calls for nine professional-sized, year-round rinks. A central show rink will accommodate 5,000 seats around it to host major hockey and figure skating events. National Hockey League legend Mark Messier, a New York City hero for bringing the Stanley Cup back to the Rangers in 1994 after a 54-year drought, serves as Kingsbridge National Ice Center CEO. During a local radio show prior to yesterday’s vote, Messier said the project would create an “economic engine” in the Bronx. Though the borough may be famous for its illustrious baseball team and pick-up basketball games, Messier points out the lack of skating facilities throughout the five boroughs. “There are 1.5 million people in the Bronx alone and no rink,” Messier said. “Even if we built 70 rinks [around the city], it would still fall short of the national average.”

In a statement released yesterday, outgoing New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the almost unanimous City Council vote “the result of years of collaboration and perseverance,” and touted the project–a personal victory as he leaves office–as “yet another example of our Administration’s commitment to turning what were once symbols of New York City’s decline–McCarren Park Pool, High Bridge, the High Line, and more–into community treasures and international attractions.”
__________________
NEW YORK is Back!

“Office buildings are our factories – whether for tech, creative or traditional industries we must continue to grow our modern factories to create new jobs,” said United States Senator Chuck Schumer.
Reply With Quote