On reviewing the various development projects in the Northwest Bronx over the last 38 years, ahead of the final edition of the Norwood News, the first thing that comes to mind in some but not all cases is, of course, just how seemingly arduous and protracted they can be. Often surpassing the durations of successive gubernatorial and mayoral administrations, and the tenures of various politicians, this was certainly the case with the Kingsbridge Armory, which Norwood News first reported on decades ago.

 

Among the many ideas proposed for the Kingsbridge Heights-based Armory over the intervening years have been, of course, the infamous Ice Center, a Salsa museum, a shopping mall, a brewery and a sports-related venue. Meanwhile, the Armory’s vast interior and adjacent annexes have actually been used as a film and TV set, as a food hub during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a women’s shelter at one point, and of course by the Washington Greys Military Cadets, overseen by the National Guard.

As reported, at least two if not three lawsuits relating to the Armory’s redevelopment have prolonged the misery for Bronxites eager to see it put to use, one stemming from a dispute over financing arrangements between the City and a former developer of the now-abandoned Ice Center, another filed by Agallas Equities over alleged favoritism by the City of the winning bidder, 8th Regiment Partners LLC, following the most recent Request for Proposal and the selection of “The Kingsbridge Center” (“El Centro Kingsbridge“) project.

 

However, as reported, an end is in sight. After a funding boost of $200 million from federal, City and State governments, multiple hearings and numerous workshops to collate community input, an agreed new labor agreement, a deal was struck which includes a community benefits agreement, and the New York City Council voted “yes” on the latest multi-purpose, two-phase Kingsbridge Center project on Oct. 29, 2025.

Under Phase I, City officials said the long-vacant, City-owned structure will be home to a 17,000-person capacity, live events venue created for concerts, graduations, and other events, an entertainment arcade for youth sports, e-sports to be managed by established operators, a 95,000 square-foot community facility for cultural uses, 31,000 square feet of commercial offices, a 100,000 square-foot, below-market space to incubate small-scale, light manufacturing businesses in The Bronx, 250 parking spaces and loading areas, and 65,000 square feet of new public open space.

 

Under Phase II, they said there will be 450 to 500 affordable apartments, with a goal of 50% 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom units, 20,000 square feet of below-market commercial space, 80 parking spaces, around 3,000 construction jobs, 600 permanent jobs, and more. The housing will be located adjacent to the Armory, where currently the National Guard operates from two annexes on West 195th Street, between Jerome Avenue and Reservoir Avenue.

 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said in part at the time, “With the reimagining of the Kingsbridge Armory, we will see affordable housing opportunities, good-paying union jobs with pathways to the middle class, recreational space for youth and families, support for small businesses, and a true commitment to equitable economic development in the Bronx that we have not seen for decades.” The project is expected to be finalized some time in 2030 and 2032, respectively, according to EDC.

The eventual deal was, of course, in no small part thanks to the dogged advocacy of community nonprofit organizations like Our Bronx, formerly Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition, which actively lead and participated in dozens of envisioning meetings, surveys, outreach sessions, hearings and more, all before securing the latest community benefits agreement, valued at $130 million. In doing so, Our Bronx has reimagined the way other community-based organizations may go on to negotiate public land use in New York City.

 

Those interested in training, workforce resources, and opportunities connected to the Armory are being asked by Our Bronx to sign up and get connected to the workforce pipeline by filling out the workforce training interest form at https://bit.ly/ourarmoryworkforce. You can also email info@ourbronx.org for more information.

To read some but not all of the history of the Kingsbridge Armory over the years, click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here,  here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here. here,  here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here,  here,  here,   here,  here,   here,  here, here, here, here, here,  here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here here, here, here, here, here and here. (Stories on the armory prior to circa 2005 are archived in print.)