By Perla Tolentino

Though temporarily on hold due to the Coronavirus crisis, construction of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) is set to start this year and open to the public in 2022. In the meantime, its immediate role in the community is to serve as a food distribution center.

Using the action network website and the hashtag #OpenPeoplesArmory, the North Bronx Collective petitioned for the armory to serve as a food garden, emergency and mental health hospital with universal healthcare that prioritizes homeless, disabled, elders, trans, incarcerated, and mentally ill people on March 31.

By April 4, NYC Economic Development Corporation and Emergency Management authorized the armory to provide food packaging and delivery for families who can’t afford groceries and meals and do not receive assistance from other providers. This is The Bronx reported that as of April 21, 2020, the armory food center had distributed 14,000 meals in the Bronx, with that amount set to increase.

Mayor Bill De Blasio visited the now free-groceries site on April 18, 2020 and told the New York Post, “We will not let any New Yorker go hungry. Period.” Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. also visited the armory to monitor supplies and workers, and shared pictures of it on his official Facebook account.

Despite emergency repurposing, KNIC officials remain confident that this year’s construction will proceed according to plan.

“We do not expect to be delayed due to the lockdown; however, it is uncertain at this time,” Kevin Parker, founder and managing member of KNIC told the Meridian.

A week before Chinese authorities confirmed the first Coronavirus death on Jan. 11, 2020, the armory’s opening date was announced on the project’s official Facebook page, which also included a link to the new website featuring the logo used by Rangers star, Mark Messier in his foundation’s Inline-2-Ice (i2i).

The site allows people to reserve ice time, register adult hockey leagues, sign up for locker storage, and submit contact information for open and speed skating.

On Jan. 22, 2020, Brisbin Brook Beynon (BBB) Architects, design leaders of the Madison Square Garden renovations in 2008, shared a rendering video of KNIC’s final design. It briefly shows an athletic shoe store seen through glass doors at the corner of 2 West Kingsbridge Rd., currently home of the New Capitol Diner, at risk of being pushed out according to Norwood News in 2019.

Some landlords around the area have been using the $350 million development to attract potential businesses to buy their commercial lease.

L+M Development partners who own the commercial spot inside the Affordable Housing 2700 Jerome Ave. building across the armory, used a picture rendering of KNIC in their commercial flier and a map that displays the business space right across.

In the long run, many Lehmanites believe the project will attract more attention to the Bronx.

“This is a positive economic development for this area and the Bronx, in terms of bringing more jobs and related businesses,” said professor and chair of Economics and Business Department Dene Hurley. “This ice rink will probably attract families from surrounding areas like Westchester and Manhattan, since the only other ice rink is in Rye; it will become a landmark and related businesses could move into the area.” 

“I think it’s going to make the Bronx an exciting place to be in; a lot of people are going to move from their state to the Bronx to watch American Hockey league games,” said Abban Emmanuel, a 17-year-old freshman majoring in biology.

However, some Lehman students think the project will not benefit low-income residents.

“It’s private interest only, I guess; it might create jobs for some people, but sustainability wise, it will be bad for those who pay through taxes and are not in a good financial position to sustain themselves,” said Marvin King, a senior mathematics major.

Lehman President Daniel Lemons offered a balanced view. “It’s great news that the Kingsbridge National Ice Center is finally slated to open,” he said. “The center will further boost the borough’s economy and bring a new outlet for physical activity to the area. I know some store owners in the area have concerns about rising rent in the face of this development. It will be crucial for community leaders to ensure that the businesses that have anchored the neighborhood for so many years be able to remain in place.”