After $16M Renovation, a Ribbon Cutting at Slope Armory

The big $16 million renovation of the Park Slope Armory had a ceremonial ribbon cutting yesterday. City Council Member Bill de Blasio, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Robert V. Hess, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda Gibbs and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber took part. The massive project faced some delays and there were difficulties in finding an organization to manage the facility. On Monday, the YMCA was chosen as a finalist, pending approval, to operate the facility. After attending the opening, OTBKB concluded that it's been "a long time coming" and described a beautiful facility. Over the last two years, it has been transformed into a sports and education facility that includes a track and field center, gymnastics, boxing, fencing, weightlifting and martial arts. The Armory will be available for use by a variety of groups including local public schools, youth groups, sports leagues and senior citizens. Individuals can also use the facilities on nights and weekends with a membership through the YMCA. The facility will be open from 7AM-11PM. The 110,000 square foot building also includes a 70-bed homeless women's shelter, which occupies only a portion of the approximately 110,000 square foot building. Mr. de Blasio called the renovated facility "a stunning neighborhood recreational facility." Students from PS 10 attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.