Major Owens Health & Wellness Community Center  

NYCR-CDE provided $10 million in New Markets Tax Credit financing to help fund the construction of a dynamic new recreation and community center in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. 

The capital assisted the redevelopment of the historic 112,000 square foot Bedford-Union Armory which occupies an entire city block and covers approximately three acres of land. Opened in 1908, the armory served as a dirt-floored training facility and stable for the Army National Guard’s horseback units. After sitting abandoned for decades, redevelopment began in 2015 with the goal of creating valuable community space while preserving as much of the building’s century-old architecture as possible. The building was redeveloped into a state-of-the-art facility that acts as a one-stop shop for one of Brooklyn’s most historically underserved neighborhoods – bringing a multi-year community vision to life. The facility offers recreational opportunities and nonprofit space and honors the legacy of the late Congressman Major Owens, a longtime advocate and voice for the Crown Heights community.

The core of the new facility is a bright, open 60,000 square foot multi-purpose recreation space operated by The Boys’ Club of New York, that includes multiple hardwood basketball courts, a six-lane competitive swimming pool, a soccer field, as well as yoga, dance, and fitness studios. The space is used by local public schools and youth sports leagues and allows for free and low-cost sports and fitness programming for the community. The Major Owens Center also includes 35,000 square feet of affordable space for local nonprofit organizations such as New Heights Youth, Digital Girl, Inc., Imagine Swimming, and the Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center. The project is part of a 550,000 square foot mixed development featuring 415 units of housing, of which 60% is affordable. A portion of the housing units are set aside for formerly homeless residents.

“By ensuring local kids have a place to go, and effective youth programming at their fingertips, this center will ensure we are creating a safer, healthier Crown Heights for all residents.”

– Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams

“The Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center will provide New Yorkers a place to thrive and grow for generations to come.”

– Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio