The Armory

The Armory

It Takes a Village to Make a Village Thrive

ZEKE WRIGHT

HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. — Of possible long-term impact, the Hoosick Falls armory’s transfer of ownership from the state into the hands of an area community nonprofit ranks as one of the top local news items for 2012 in New York.

The armory first became a topic in early 2011, shortly before the National Guard unit stationed there relocated, prompting a firestorm of discussion about whether or not the town of Hoosick (whose offices have been situated at the armory since the mid-1990s) should assume ownership. Proponents of that idea pointed to the town offices and concerns over the building going vacant, but others balked at the potential ownership costs. Curtailing the discussion, town officials met with and then threw their support behind the rebadged Hoosick Armory, Youth Center & Community Coalition (HAYC3).

One of the last bills to make it through the state Legislature before the end of the summer session, lawmakers gave the OK for the building to be sold to the nonprofit for the grand sum of $1 in late June. While other excessed armories around the state have gone to auction, state officials and lawmakers said the local nonprofit’s interest made for a “win-win” outcome.

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