New Rochelle council introduces home rule request for state armory amid preservation concerns

The New Rochelle Common Council on June 10 introduced a resolution authorizing city officers to sign a home rule request asking the New York State Legislature to enact S.7989-A and A.5599-A, bills that would amend state law governing the New York State Armory property in the city.

City Manager read a staff summary saying the statutory amendment was proposed "to narrow the scope of the Reverter as its original scope created uncertainty that could hinder financing or investment." He added, "The statute still requires a deed restriction to preserve the armory building, the annex and the dedicated space for the veterans. If this condition is breached before certificate of occupancy is issued, the property including the armory, annex and the land will revert to the state. Once the CLO is filed, the state reverter is then released, but the city maintains several legal and administrative safeguards to ensure these spaces are preserved." The…