Transfer of three Brooklyn properties gives volunteer ambulance corps permanent ownership after more than 30 years operating from the site

NEW YORK — Today, New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei announced the completed transfer of three city-owned properties in Brooklyn to the Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps (BSVAC). transfer ensures a permanent home for the volunteer organization after more than three decades operating on the site under a temporary lease.

BSVAC is a community-based non-profit organization that has been providing life-saving emergency medical care and training programs since 1988. One of the busiest volunteer ambulance services of its size in the nation, BSVAC responds to more than 2,000 calls each year and offers CPR, first aid, and other lifesaving training programs for community members.

"DCAS is committed to unlocking civic assets in meaningful ways,” said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. "We're very proud to complete this land transfer to the Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps, supporting an organization that has spent decades strengthening and responding to the needs of their community. Through this transfer, BSVAC will provide critical services in a permanent home for years to come."

"I am happy to see this property turned over to the Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps (BSVAC). This transfer of property represents years of hard work and collaboration. I want to thank Assemblymember Zinerman for asking me to partner with her on the legislation that makes this transfer possible, and I am excited to see how BSVAC can grow and continue to serve the Brooklyn community,” said New York State Senator for the 19th Senate District Roxanne J. Persaud.

“Today marks the completion of the crucial first step in a dream that originated with BSVAC’s founders, the late EMS Captain James (“Rocky”) Robinson and retired EMS Specialist Joe Perez. Their dream of building a permanent headquarters in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood has inspired BSVAC’s volunteers for almost 40 years. Now, at last, there is a clear pathway to realize that dream, thanks to the land transfer from DCAS and the allocation of a NYS CREST grant for construction of a building, sponsored by NYS Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman. At BSVAC we now look forward to expanding our community-based services and programs, including volunteer ambulance services, youth and training programs, health and safety education initiatives, neighborhood first aid station, health screenings, and community and family activities. This is a day for giving thanks, celebrating, and focusing on the work that lies ahead,” said BSVAC President Antoine Robinson.

The land parcels being conveyed to BSVAC are within Tax Block 1614 in Brooklyn, located in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. This encompasses properties near 180 Van Buren Street and 727 Greene Avenue. The transfer officially conveys three adjacent lots (1, 79, and 80) to BSVAC, which currently operates from these properties.

The transfer concludes a multi-year effort to secure permanent ownership of the property. Beginning in 2022, BSVAC worked with DCAS and New York State Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman to explore acquisition of the land. The transfer was made possible through special state legislation enacted in April 2025, a bill sponsored and secured by New York State Senator for the 19th Senate District Roxanne J. Persaud. The bill authorizes the City of New York to convey the properties directly to BSVAC. Until now, the nonprofit operated under a month-to-month lease.

"BSVAC has been serving Bedford-Stuyvesant for decades, and this transfer gives them the permanent home that work deserves. DCAS’ Real Estate Services is focused on being a nimble partner to the organizations doing this work on the ground, and on making sure city property is put to good use. We're glad to have gotten this one across the finish line,” said DCAS Deputy Commissioner for Real Estate Services PJ Berg.

“This is a historic day for the 56th Assembly District. After years of steadfast advocacy, legislative leadership, and sustained community support, DCAS is officially presenting the deed to BSVAC," said New York State Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman. "Seeing an institution that has poured so much into our community finally receive a permanent home fills me with tremendous pride. This is far more than a property transfer — it is a promise kept and an investment in the health, safety, and future of Central Brooklyn. I am incredibly proud to have helped move this vision from advocacy to legislation to ownership, and I am deeply grateful to BSVAC, DCAS, Senator Roxanne Persaud, and every community partner who helped make permanent ownership possible."

“For decades, the Bed-Stuy Volunteer Ambulance Corps has saved our neighbors’ lives, starting out of a personal car and an abandoned lot, because Rocky Robinson and Joe Perez believed in protecting our community when others failed to,” said Council Member Chi Ossé. “It’s long overdue that the city gives these heroes permanent ownership of the land they operate on. I applaud this decision and look forward to the decades of service the Ambulance Corps will fulfill.”

Permanent ownership gives BSVAC the security to plan for future improvements and continue serving Brooklyn residents from the neighborhood it has called home for nearly 40 years.

DCAS manages the City of New York's real estate portfolio, overseeing the acquisition, leasing, and reallocation of the properties. The agency is specifically responsible for the city's leased portfolio, which includes over 22 million square feet of private space occupied by city agencies. Services provided for leased space include negotiation of lease terms, execution of legal documents, coordination of construction, renovation and relocation efforts, and auditing of operating expenses. In addition, DCAS administers over 400 short- and long-term agreements that permit the private use of city-owned property.

###

About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services
The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:

• Recruiting, hiring, and training city employees.
• Managing 56 public buildings.
• Acquiring, selling, and leasing city property.
• Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for city agencies.
• Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
• Leading the city’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.

Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas and by following us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.