Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment
The campaign to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory was – many believe – the launching pad for the 2010 Living Wage NYC campaign that was created after the City Council rejected the Bloomberg Administration’s plan to create a tax-payer subsidized retail destination called “Shops at the Armory”. The Administration‘s plan did not address what the residents had been advocating for nearly a dozen years: that the redevlopment of the Armory create good jobs for area residents, create new schools, recreational space for youth and needed facilities like a bookstore and move theater. Learn more about the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Campaign and the Living Wage NYC campaign. Good Jobs New York was active in providing technical assistance to the community regarding the subsidies proposed for this project.
See our December 2009 editorial in the New York Daily News: Council & community got it right nixing armory deal.
Testimonies, analysis and timeline of the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment, below:
In Clawback, our blog:
GJNY Testimony before policy makers:
November 17, 2009 - Before the New York City Council subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises on the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory
July 27, 2009 - Before the Bronx Borough President on the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory.
June 24, 2009 - At Bronx Community Board 7 as part of the Uniform Land Use Review (ULURP) process.
October 2008 - Public scoping meeting
Benchmarks:
April 2013 - New York City Ofiicials announce the Armory will be developed as the world's largest indoor ice facility. Stay tuned for details on the historic Community Benefits Agreement secured by the Kingsbrudge Armory Redevelopment Alliance.
March 11, 2009 - The Board of the New York City Industrial Development Agency today preliminary approval for approximately $17.8 million in tax breaks to the Related Companies for redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory. Dozens of Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance members were present. While most projects are unanimously approved, IDA board members representating the New York City Comptroller and Manhattan Borough Present asked for the vote to be postponed until community concerns regarding job standards and appropriate community space are addressed. After the rest of the Board voted against postponement, these two voted against the preliminary approval.
March 6, 2009 – The New York City Industrial Development Agency held a public hearing on a proposal to provide the Related Companies with $13.8 million in city tax breaks for redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory. More than 20 members of the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance, along with public officials, advocacy groups, and other concerned residents spoke at the hearing and at a press conference beforhand about the necessity of providing community benefits in exchange for the subsidies.
View IDA's cost/benefit analysis for this project.
View public hearing testimony from:
Bettina Damiani, Good Jobs New York
Stuart Appelbaum, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
Joan Byron, Pratt Center
The New York Observer article on the press conference
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