For the second time in as many years, representatives of Veteran's groups, Save Our Armory Committee, and concerned citizens are formally requesting to meet with the City Council and the Mayor. A new vision for the Echo Bay area that includes taking advantage of an adaptive re-use of the historical structure will be presented for consideration. With time running out on the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) handed to Forest City/Ratner Developers, proponents of Armory re-use contend that now is the time to rethink the possibilities. At the heart of the new vision is the expectation to return the Armory to its original purpose of serving the public good. To that end, the Armory supporters will be requesting a one year MOU with New Rochelle for the purpose of establishing financing and development services.

Recently, when the host of WNYC's "New Sounds" radio show made casual reference to Derek Bermel, a world-class composer, clarinetist, conductor and New Rochelle native, my fond memories of the Glenwood Lake neighborhood in New Rochelle, where Bermel grew up and where I lived for a decade, got me reminiscing.

Glenwood Lake is one of the best neighborhoods in New Rochelle in which to live. It is conveniently located in the heart of the city yet on the border of Pelham, making it a very easy and pleasant walk to the Pelham train station. It also has easy access to the Hutch and I-95.

Glenwood Lake is a mini-nature preserve. The lake from which the neighborhood derives its name is a magnet for a wide-assortment of ducks, herons, the occasional swan or two, and many other birds.

The Save Our Armory Committee has nominated the New Rochelle Armory for consideration of the prestigious Heritage Award Program administered by City Hall. A detailed application has been submitted for review in an effort spotlight the historic significance of this unique New Rochelle treasure.

We wholeheartedly concur with Mayor Bramson's statement of " By raising public awareness about our past, we help ensure that hiostoric charmremains a vital part of our future". In Fact, we couldn't have said it better.

The application does request the owner to be the one submitting. We hold that, by extension, the residents of New Rochelle are the owners. The taxpaying citizenry, who foot the bills for the city, who essentially buy all the product the city uses. If one were to look at the ownership of city hall, or the fire houses or police station, I doubt the mayor's or councilmember's would be on the paperwork. Good or bad, without the residents, there would be no New Rochelle.

In 2010, the City of New Rochelle selected a local company, Artistic F/X, to store and restore the 3 remaining murals from the New Rochelle Armory. The company is owned by Don Geyra, a member of the New Rochelle Municipal Arts Commission.

Talk of the Sound has had an opportunity to view the paintings which are being meticulously restored by Geyra. Some photos were provided by Geyra with others taken by Talk of the Sound contributor Jen Parente.

"The murals were coated in what appears to be spar varnish", said Geyra who has been removing tiny sections with solvents dabbed on q-tips. The largest mural, a tug boat with signal lights, is about 40 square feet and the work so far on just the one painting has taken over 9 months. Spar varnish is intended to use on a ship to protect wood from the effects of sea and weather. It is not typically used on paintings.

Removing the wood frame area around the edge of the Tug Boat mural (above) revealed the vibrant blue color underneath the spar varnish.

Properties that exemplify the City’s significant historical and cultural heritage are now being sought for the City of New Rochelle’s 2012 Heritage Awards. Nominations may be submitted by individuals, organizations, businesses or municipal representatives of properties for one or more of the following categories:

· Residences older than 50 years
· Stellar restoration, residence
· Stellar restoration, adaptive reuse
· Home of nationally prominent individual
· Significant architect or architectural style
· Landscape or landscape feature (eg. cemeteries, stone walls, signs; excepting gardens)
· Public or quasi-public structures (eg. house of worship, home of an organization, etc. ) that are significant to New Rochelle’s history

“By raising public awareness about our past, we help ensure that historic charm remains a vital part of our future,” noted Mayor Noam Bramson. “The Heritage Awards assist in accomplishing this goal by celebrating distinctive properties that reflect New Rochelle’s rich architectural history.”

Fort Slocum Lives!

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, the Westchester County Historical Society, the City of New Rochelle Public Library, the Fort Slocum Alumni & Friends Organization and TetraTech have created an online archive devoted to the now-demolished Fort Slocum

http://davidsisland.westchesterarchives.com

“Fort Slocum is gone, but not forgotten. The virtual archive is etched into the internet, and will be a lasting memorial to those who served at Fort Slocum, and to the contribution of Davids Island to the history of the United States and the local community,” said Gregory J. Goepfert, Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District.

h/t DIVDS