In a unanimous vote, the City Planning
Commission today approved the Kingsbridge Armory ULURP application,
moving the much-heralded Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) project
one step closer to completion. The project now heads to the Bronx
Borough Board and then to the City Council, where it will seek its final
approvals before it reaches the mayor’s desk.
“This
is an extremely important, transformative project that will not only
reshape this historic structure, but will provide living wage jobs,
recreation opportunities and community programming. This project will
not just help revitalize the surrounding neighborhood, but will add to
the borough’s new reputation as a sports mecca while advancing the
concept of the ‘New Bronx.’ I look forward to its approval at the City
Council,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Borough
President Diaz added, “The KNIC Proposal will preserve a significant
and irreplaceable architectural and engineering icon and landmark, which
will now be saved for posterity. Developed for military use, the Armory
will now become a cultural and recreational asset for our great borough
and city in the near future.”
“Today’s
vote will facilitate the construction of a world class skating,
community and educational facility that will promote the Borough,
produce many needed permanent jobs, teach the art of skating, promote
the art of competitive ice hockey and be the catalyst for the rebirth of
the Kingsbridge Heights section of the Bronx, the entire borough of the
Bronx, the City as a whole and the entire region,” said Orlando Marin,
Bronx Representative to the City Planning Commission.
“I
am very pleased that the City Planning Commission has approved the
Kingsbridge Armory proposal. The project is enormously important for
the Bronx and will transform the Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood. I
will be a vigorous advocate for prompt Council approval,” said City
Council Member G. Oliver Koppell.
“I
am incredibly pleased that the City Planning Commission has unanimously
approved the Kingsbridge National Ice Center project. This decision
brings us one step closer to transforming the Kingsbridge Armory into an
important economic engine for the Kingsbridge community and the Bronx
as a whole,” said Senator Gustavo Rivera. "I am proud that we have been
able to move forward a deal that will revitalize a Bronx landmark while
providing living wage jobs, community programs and economic development
to the community I serve,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.
“This
unanimous vote by the City Planning Commission on the proposal of the
Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) is great news for the Bronx and
New York City. I want to commend Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
for his leadership on this important initiative. The KNIC proposal will
give the children of our borough and our city an amazing recreational
outlet, bring numerous jobs for the people of the Bronx and revenue to
the surrounding merchants in the area, and is deserving of such strong
support,” said City Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito.
“Community
Board #7 is very happy that the NYC City Planning Commission has
approved the Kingsbridge National Ice Center proposal and we look
forward to the opening of this wonderful facility which will empower our
community and its residents,” said Adaline Walker Santiago,
Chairperson, Bronx Community Board #7.
"This
is great news for Kingsbridge Heights and all of the Bronx. I have
strongly supported the proposal by KNIC because it promises to not only
bring living wage jobs to the community, but also provide world class
facilities that will benefit young people from throughout the Bronx and
beyond. I also believe that this project will revitalize the Kingsbridge
Road shopping district and the entire community. Kudos to Bronx Borough
President Ruben Diaz Jr. for his steadfast leadership, without which
this project would not have been possible,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey
Dinowitz.
“It’s exciting to know that the Bronx is one step closer to becoming home to the world’s largest indoor ice skating rink,” said Marlene Cintron, President of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation. “I believe that the Kingsbridge National Ice Center will attract numerous visitors from all over the world, which is always great business for the Bronx.”
