Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance Update

Following the decision by the New York City Economic Development Corporation to select the Related Companies for the $310 million redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory, the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) called on the developer, to work with community, religious and labor groups to make sure the Armory project helps make the northwest Bronx a stronger and more prosperous area. It is asking the Related Companies to negotiate a community benefits agreement to ensure that the project will take the community’s needs into account.

A coalition of community, religious and labor groups, KARA is pressing for responsible and equitable development to combat poverty in the area by employing local residents in union jobs that pay a living wage. To fulfill the community’s vision for the Armory project, KARA is determined to have the City’s Department of Education build schools on the Armory grounds to relieve the persistent overcrowding in the district. KARA’s members include the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, SEIU Local 32 BJ, the New York City Building Trades, and the United Federation of Teachers.

Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union said, "Our message is that developers can no longer ignore their responsibilities to the community. Working together, unions and neighborhood activists are out to make the Armory an example of what development in New York City ought to be all about."

KARA’s vision for equitable development has the support of a number of elected officials, including Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr., Assemblyman Jose Rivera, Congressman Jose E. Serrano, Comptroller William C. Thompson, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum and City Council members Maria Baez, G. Oliver Koppell, Joel Rivera, Annabel Palma, Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Helen Foster and James Vacca.

“The success of our City’s development should always be judged by the way we provide for our people,” said New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr.  “Developers should never plan for a community.  Instead, they should plan with a community.  Nobody knows the needs of the Kingsbridge Heights area better than its residents and organizations.  I urge the Related Companies to begin negotiations for a community benefits agreement with KARA. .”

The unemployment rate in Kingsbridge Heights, where the Armory is located, is 18 percent and a third of its population is below the poverty line. In the Northwest Bronx, over 40,000 students are packed into overcrowded and inadequate schools. There are no movie theaters, bookstores, and few cultural amenities. KARA’s vision for the Armory includes employment for local residents in construction, retail and more with permanent jobs that pay a living wage and have union protections and benefits, four small schools seating 2,000 students, a state-of-the-art recreation center, and community space.

Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, a long time resident said “We’re not just going to accept any type of jobs. We need jobs that pay a real living wage that families can support themselves on.”