A historic youth group in New York, the Knickerbocker Greys, is facing eviction from their home in the Park Avenue Armory after over a century of being headquartered there. The conservancy that oversees the state-owned building claims they need to evict the Greys due to renovations, which would displace the group from their 800-square-foot space with no guarantee of returning once the renovations are complete. Members of the organization, including former Greys and parents, are disappointed with the conservancy’s decision and lack of concern for the youth group’s well-being.
Members of the Knickerbocker Greys, a youth cadet corps founded in 1881, emphasize the importance of the program in developing leadership skills and character among its participants. Parents of current members express their dismay at the prospect of losing the sense of security and belonging that the organization provides to their children. The Greys, which bills itself as the oldest afterschool program in the US, serves children ages 6 to 16 and is valued for the skills and qualities it instills in its members.
Efforts are being made by State Senator Liz Krueger to pass legislation that would clarify the Knickerbocker Greys’ right to space at the armory. The proposed legislation aims to amend the state’s military laws to ensure that the conservancy must provide space for the Greys within the armory. Lawmakers are working to push the bill through before the legislative session ends to secure the Greys’ future in their long-time home in the Park Avenue Armory.
Members of the Knickerbocker Greys have traveled to Albany to meet with legislators and advocate for their right to remain in the armory. Assemblymember Alex Bores, who carries the bill in the Assembly, stresses the importance of the Greys’ presence in the armory and the need for the state to take action to protect the organization’s place in the historic building. The Greys’ eviction lawsuit is ongoing, but there is hope for a positive resolution that allows the organization to continue its operations in the armory.
The Knickerbocker Greys are regarded as the ‘little guy’ in this fight against eviction, with supporters hoping for a favorable outcome that allows the group to stay in their home at the Park Avenue Armory. Former members of the organization, including Col. Tom Pike, speak to the impact of the Greys on their lives and the importance of preserving the program for future generations. The mobilization of legislators and supporters to push back against the conservancy’s decision to evict the Greys demonstrates the community’s commitment to defending the historic youth organization.
