Throughout the course of the loud, often contentious, four-hour hearing, however, some 600 people showed up (many were prevented from entering), and at least 45 spoke. The hearing represented the last opportunity for community residents, advocates and stakeholders to address the community board before its 30-plus volunteer members vote on whether or not to support the project on July 14.

Years of arguments about the use of the Kingsbridge Armory have finally resulted in some form of peace. Based on a suggestion by the local community board, The Related Companies, the developer for the Armory, revealed plans to include a World Peace Atrium as part of its proposal to build a retail mall inside the colossal building.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. is working behind closed doors with Community Board 7 and the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) to create a Community Benefits Agreement with the developer, The Related Companies.

All the vital facts about the Kingsbridge Armory project.

Public and community meetings in the northwest Bronx.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. has made it clear that he plans to do things differently when it comes to large development projects in the borough.

"I thought that we shortchanged ourselves … in terms of community benefits agreements," Diaz said in an interview with the Norwood News shortly before his election in April, referring to the Gateway Mall and Yankee Stadium pacts. "I think we could have done better."

Diaz now faces a very early test of his leadership, thanks to the Kingsbridge Armory project, which the Related Companies will turn into The Shops at the Armory if it can successfully navigate the land use review now under way. He can either fall prey to the hostage mentality that afflicts most elected officials, who fall for corporate threats to flee and avoid the borough. or he can set a tone at the outset of his tenure that, while the Bronx is open for business, it is no longer going to be taken to the cleaners.

The model for what not to do lies just down the road at Gateway, another Related project, where former Borough President Adolfo Carrion presided over a sham community involvement process that resulted in few benefits for Bronxites.

And while we’ll refrain from ranting about Yankee Stadium, suffice it to say that promised replacement parkland is years away.

This is a tremendous opportunity for the borough president to preside over the crafting of a real community benefits agreement – one that is actually negotiated with local stakeholders in the room – that secures actual and long-lasting benefits and sets the tone for future development during Diaz’s tenure.

Community Board 7 is being asked to vote on Related’s proposal on July 14 before a CBA is in place. Board Chair Greg Faulkner was critical of the city’s expedited schedule for starting the land use review process precisely because it didn’t give the Board enough time to participate in CBA negotiations.

Faulkner has said the Board is likely to vote for the proposal with conditions. Just voting no wouldn’t give the Board any leverage, he said.

But we suggest another tack. How about voting "no" with conditions? That would send a stronger message to Related and set the tone for negotiations as Related’s proposal navigates the land use review process.

It would also put the city on notice that community boards can’t be rolled and that CBAs must be hammered out before it’s time to vote. Otherwise, what is there to vote on?

After learning that Kingsbridge Armory plans include a new supermarket, Avi Kaner, owner of Morton Williams, threatened to close both of his Bronx stores. Both stores, still called "Associated" by most neighborhood residents, are located on Jerome Avenue. The closing of these two stores would be a community disaster.

The Kingsbridge Armory’s designated developer, The Related Companies, made plans to include 60,000 square feet of space for a big box supermarket, such as a Costco or Pathmark. Morton Williams, a Bronx-based supermarket chain with a store directly across from the Armory, says a giant supermarket would force them to shut both its stores in the borough