(thought that this would be of interest..from todays Star Ledger)Booker sees N.Y. sites as models for city plan
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
BY JEFFERY C. MAYS
Star-Ledger Staff
NEW YORK -- For the past four years, Pablo Vasquez has spent most of his time after school at the 168th Fort Washington Armory in Washington Heights playing sports, getting help with his homework, and these days, serving as a mentor to the younger kids.
"It's better than being in the street," said Vasquez, a 14-year-old eighth-grader. "Here, I can help some of the kids. At home, I'd just be sitting in front of the computer."
Fifteen years ago, the armory was an 1,800-bed homeless shelter. Today, the massive structure is a multipurpose community center. It houses the National Track and Field Museum, a world-class track and field where regular events are held, a computer lab, and a Police Athletic League, and it attracts 400,000 visitors a year.
About $850,000 of the funding for the armory's transformation came from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Economic Development Initiative.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker wants the armory in Newark to be transformed for the same purpose, so he toured the 168th Fort Washington Armory and the 369th Harlem Armory Center on Fifth Avenue yesterday with HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson. Today, Jackson will be in Newark to look at the armory on Roseville Avenue.
"This is absolutely wonderful. Think about the lives we are saving," Jackson said after touring the transformed 369th Harlem Armory.
The Harlem Armory features six tennis courts, a high ropes course, television studio, computer room and rock climbing. Approximately $1.8 million from HUD's Community Development Block Grant program was used to help transform the armory.
"This is inspirational when we see what has been accomplished here," Booker said. He said transforming Newark's armory is a goal of his effort to improve parks and recreation programming for the city's children and families. Family well-being is expected to be the main topic of his second State of the City address next month.
"This would be the crown jewel," the mayor said of his plans for the armory.
Booker already has spoken to National Guard officials about the prospect and received initial support, spokeswoman Desiree Peter kin Bell said. In many armory transformations, the facilities are multipurpose.
Booker said he first met with Jackson last year during a trip to Washington, D.C., as part of his effort to recruit help to reach some of his "lofty goals" for Newark. He said Jackson has become a mentor and friend with whom he feels comfortable talking.
Newark residents have long complained about a lack of after- school programming and activities for city children. Opening the armory would help increase the capacity for such programs, Booker said.
Jackson said it's important that young people have a space where they feel safe and can train their bodies through athletics and their minds through academics.
"If we can get this armory together, we can benefit a lot of kids," Jackson said of Newark's facility.
Derrick Adkins, the gold medalist in the 400-meter hurdles in the 1996 Summer Olympics, is director of the New Balance Track and Field Armory center in Washington Heights. He said he's seen children blossom as a result of the program.
"It teaches teamwork and setting goals, but in a way they can enjoy," said Adkins, who led the tour of the armory and the museum. "If the kids don't get scholarships, you see them doing better than if they didn't come here. Many still go on to college."
Sean Connolly, director of sports for the Police Athletic League Inc., said his program at the armory can make the difference between life and death.
"We see ourselves as being in direct competition with the gangs. We are, and we have to offer something better than the gangs," Connolly said. "We are giving kids op tions."
Katherine DeFoyd, who handles government relations for the Armory Foundation, said getting the armory redone is just the beginning. Developing programming that will attract kids is the other important element.
"It's not, 'If you build it, they will come.' You have to program the facility carefully," she said.
Booker said the design at the Harlem armory was the one that would fit best with Newark's armory. More important, he was impressed with the number of community groups involved -- from the Police Athletic League to local churches.
"It's amazing how many layers of the Harlem community are involved," he said. "This has become a community space."
Kensy DeJesus, 10, said he sees the armory as an important part of his Washington Heights community.
"We play sports. We do homework. We learn things," the fourth- grader said.
I spend most winter weekends coaching @ The Armory. It is the major track & field center on the east coast...see(www.armorytrack.com).It is actually in the shadows of the GW Bridge in Washington Heights.
They found major $$$ support from City Gov't, commercial companies & local merchants.They stage the HS Nationals, HS Easterns, Big East, Heptagonals as well as track meets Fri / Sat / Sun from November thru March that often have 3,000 kids competing. It also houses the US Track & Field Hall of Fame museum on the 2nd floor. It holds numerous educational workshops for area students as well as tutoring, clinics, camps & child care. Which in turn creates jobs for some.
Note to Mayor...it can be done.
