Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D–Central Islip) announced that Governor Cuomo has signed into law legislation he sponsored that authorizes the commissioner of General Services to transfer and convey an abandoned state armory to the Bay Shore Union Free School District (UFSD) (Ch. 156 of 2011). Cuomo’s signature is the final step in Ramos’ effort to pave the way for the Bay Shore UFSD to accept $1 million in federal stimulus funding to better meet the needs of its students.

“Governor Cuomo’s signature on this legislation is one of the last steps in the complex process of securing federal funding for the Bay Shore community,” Ramos said. “This money will enable us to give our young people the resources they need to succeed without further burdening local property taxpayers.”

Ramos’s legislation will transfer the abandoned Division of Military and Naval Affairs State Armory, located at 70 Brentwood Road in Bay Shore, to the school district for the consideration of one dollar. The district intends to renovate the facilities using Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) funds from federal stimulus funding to provide both pre-kindergarten and special education services for the community’s children.

In order to collect, the district must match 10 percent of the renovations and submit an application to the commissioner of General Services to have the land conveyed to the school district by July 20, 2012.

The Bay Shore UFSD has reached a tentative agreement with the Great South Bay YMCA to serve as a matching partner for the project.