32°
North Castle officials and the Engel Burman Group, developers of the Bristal, a new 140-unit assisted living community in Armonk, gathered Monday to celebrate the restoration of the Armonk Eagle.
Located at the intersection of Routes 22 and 128, the iconic 40-foot long wooden eagle that has been welcoming residents and visitors to the hamlet for nearly four decades has been replaced with an identical new eagle made from aluminum.
The Engel Burman Group donated $25,000 to the Town to replace the wooden eagle which was in disrepair. The original wooden eagle was erected in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial.
"We are delighted to make possible the restoration of this iconic American eagle, a symbol of our nation's freedom that has served as a gateway to Armonk for the past 38 years," Jan Burman, president of The Engel Burman Group, said.
Supervisor Michael Schiliro said he was grateful to Engel Burman for their donation.
"I thank you for your generous contribution to our town and wish you the best of success with your new assisted living community," Schiliro said.
The town had explored repairing the eagle last year when former councilwoman Diane DiDonato-Roth was told a piece of the high eagle was starting to come apart.
"I knew it was time to save the eagle," DiDonato-Roth said.
A committee was formed to explore ways of refurbishing the eagle, but with the town facing a tight budget, there wasn't much in the coffers to repair the eagle and The Bristal was sought for their sponsorship.
The eagle has a small sign acknowledging the Bristal's sponsorship.
"This is why you welcome new businesses into your town," DiDonato-Roth said. "They become a partner in your community. They sponsor so many events and the Bristal provides so many great services. We would've never found $25,000 and we might have lost the eagle."
The North Castle Police Department has also redone its patches to have an eagle on them.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Armonk and receive free news updates.
