Historic Knickerbocker Greys youth group spared from eviction — but fight might not be over yet

An Upper East Side youth group has been spared from eviction from the Park Avenue Armory after a state stepped in to help ensure they could stay put despite planned renovations.

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed a bill meant to stop the Park Avenue Conservancy from evicting the Knickerbocker Greys, a youth cadet program founded in 1881 — but a legal fight may not be over yet.

“The Knickerbocker Greys are a beloved part of the Upper East Side, and have been for over a century,” state Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), who sponsored the bill, wrote in a statement. “They are a wonderful part of the fabric and history of our community, an organization that has touched the lives of so many young people.”

“There’s plenty of room in the Armory to support the great arts programming that the Conservancy presents as well as continuing to be the permanent home of the Greys.” Krueger went on. “Here’s to another century of the Knickerbocker Greys!”

Supporters say the group helps build a sense of community and leadership skills among its participants from all over the city, not just the Upper East Side. Former Greys have gone on to serve in the US military, including during both world wars.

The Greys have been fighting eviction from their headquarters – an 800-square-foot space in the sprawling 200,000-square foot facility – as the conservancy claims it needs the space for renovation plans.

The cadets have been fighting the move in court, as supporters claimed the conservancy that runs the armory neither offered to put the Greys in temporary space nor guaranteed them they’d be able to return after the renovations.

The state Department of Military and Naval Affairs owns the facility and granted the conservancy a 99-year lease in 2006 to renovate the building and create a cultural center. The lease included stipulations that an existing women’s shelter and any active military facilities must be guaranteed a space.

The Greys said it was implied they were allowed to stay as well, but in 2022 the DMNA sided with the conservancy in its effort to kick out the kids.

As their legal battle drags through court, the group marched north to Albany where they met with state lawmakers to push for a bill that would guarantee “legacy cadet corps” programs older than 100 years would be allowed to stay in state-owned regimental army facilities such as the Park Avenue Armory.

“The Knickerbocker Greys have been part of the fabric of our community for over 120 years,” Assemblyman Alex Bores (D-Manhattan) wrote. “Their rightful home is in the Park Avenue Armory, where there are two plaques dedicated to Knickerbocker Greys who gave their lives in service of our country in World War I and World War II.”

“They have raised generations of heroes, and now Kathy Hochul, Senator Krueger, and the entire community got to stand up for them,” Bores continued. “To the Greys: Welcome home!”

The conservancy is still pushing its lawsuit despite the signing of the legislation. The group filed a motion in court on Christmas Eve asking the judge to rule on the eviction proceeding in January.

The legislation passed the state Assembly unanimously and only garnered a single no vote in the state Senate.