Controversial Bedford Armory Makes Cryptic Crypto Art Announcement

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Crown Height's controversial armory made a cryptic crypto art announcement Monday which was quietly deleted after Patch called asking for more information.

The Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center announced it will team up with the a non-fungible token (NFT) platform (k)nightclub to sell digital art at the former Bedford Union Armory.

The tweets —many of which were deleted after Patch called the center — said the Bedford Armory site owners BFC Partners promised to sink 35 percent of (k)nightclub profits into partner organizations in Crown Heights.

At this point, the details remain hazy.

A BFC spokesperson said the partnership was "very new," and was only able to provide a conceptual description of how the arrangement might play out.

Works could be showcased in an events space with a percent of the sales to help cut the operating costs, the spokesperson said.

NFTs, a way to authenticate works of digital assets for purchase and sale, and have become popular ways for nonprofits and charity groups to raise money.

(K)nightclub, a digital gallery platform for displaying NFTs, says it aims to help bring artists into "web3" and is focusing on local artists in this partnership with BFC, according to its website and social media.

Last Wednesday, the group held its first art gala at Essex Crossing, another BFC property, according to a flyer on social media.

The Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center, part of the Bedford Armory redevelopment project, has come under scrutiny for failing to provide promised community benefits, especially regarding affordability for things like swim lessons.

Former District 35 council member Laurie Cumbo, who enthusiastically approved the project, told local news site THE CITY last September that “I hope that when it opens, it closes,” and that she hoped "it’s the biggest failure New York City’s ever experienced.”

The current council member, Crystal Hudson, who has perviously called the project "a disgrace," did not answer a request for comment.

Cumbo, who now serves as Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the Adams administration, told THE CITY that none of the affordability requirements she touted were unenforceable because she didn't get the promises in writing.

Cumbo was unable to be reached for comment.