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City Will Issue RFP

By HEATHER HADDON

Though it promised a decision on its plans for redeveloping the Kingsbridge Armory by mid-summer, the Bloomberg administration now plans instead to issue an RFP (request for proposals) within a couple of months.

"We will be issuing an RFP sometime this fall," said Janel Patterson, a spokesperson for the New York City Economic Development Corporation. 

The EDC, the city agency overseeing the armory renovation, will meet with selected stakeholders before beginning the bidding process. "We will be scheduling meetings with the borough president, elected officials and other community groups to help craft the RFP," Patterson said.

A few months ago, the EDC seemed inclined to pick from proposals already on the table. Basketball City, a developer of large-scale sports and entertainment facilities, was chosen by the Giuliani administration and was reported to be the favorite again. That plan mostly includes retail stores and sports facilities. A program championed by the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition incorporated some retail but its centerpiece is the inclusion of public schools. 

In other armory news, the new roof over the drill hall is now complete. The $30 million project replaced the structure's 240,000-square-foot roof.