During the City Council hearing held Sept. 30 by the Landmarks, Public Sitings, and Dispositions subcommittee, which covered the latest Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment project, elected representatives, City officials, advocates, and various stakeholders voiced their support for the latest “Kingsbridge Center” project, while seeking assurances of City investments, anti-displacement measures, and more affordable housing units for larger families.

 

As reported, a deal was struck on the latest armory redevelopment project in June and the latest proposal by winning bidder, 8th Regiment Partners, comprises plans for a 17,000-seat venue, a retail community space, 500 affordable housing units, a workplace development center, parking garages, and more.

 

At the city council hearing, testimony was heard from NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC), and elected officials, among others. District 14 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez, who represents Kingsbridge Heights where the armory is located, said in part, “This project cannot be completed unless the surrounding community is equipped to benefit with robust city investments.”

 

The councilwoman also pushed for a signed community benefits agreement (CBA), saying, “A revitalized armory would transform this neighborhood, and so our communities must be set up to thrive amidst this potential, hopefully, positive change.”

 

She added, “A signed community benefits agreement will ensure that the armory is by, and for, The Bronx for generations to come, from local hiring to public access to partnerships, to support [for] our youth. These types of commitments can demonstrate an exceptional level of dedication to community-driven development.”

 

For his part, District 15 City Council Member Oswald Feliz who represents the adjacent district, echoed Sanchez’s sentiments, saying, “We must invest in small business and housing, anti-displacement programs to make sure that the people from that community can enjoy these many benefits.”

 

Sanchez said one of her greatest concerns with the project pertained to the displacement of existing residents and small businesses, citing the Jerome Avenue Rezoning in 2018 in which $2 million was reportedly supposed to have been appropriated to support local small businesses but was reapportioned and expired.

 

More recently, local Kingsbridge Road merchants have held at least one rally to call for assurances and protections for their businesses as their landlords, seemingly eyeing prospective more lucrative possibilities in light of the latest armory redevelopment plans for the area, have been keeping a tight rein when it comes to commercial lease renewals.

 

“This is a hard line for us,” Sanchez said. “If the promises of the past are not kept, then we are not going to be able to have a productive conversation moving forward. That is a non-starter. We have to receive the funding that we were promised in the past.”

 

The councilwoman said at least 50% of the affordable housing units should be two and three-bedroom units to which an official, representing the developer 8th Regiment Partners, responded, “To the extent that we can commit to it, yes.”

 

Meanwhile, State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), who joined the hearing virtually, voiced what he described as his strong support for the latest Armory redevelopment project, which comes years after several prior endeavors fell through, causing a certain degree of frustration among residents.

 

“I don’t believe this is a project that should be seen on EDC’s book as a boon to the city’s coffers,” Rivera said. “The Bronx is owed an investment in the Armory and this is our chance to get what we are owed. We expect the City to commit to revitalizing our community through strong, anti-displacement measures to protect local businesses.”

 

Sanchez also shared Rivera’s view and asked the City to create a small business, anti-displacement fund for the Armory’s impacted area. For her part, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said in part, “All I ask for is that The Bronx has a chance, and to make sure that every project that is for us is by us, and with the Kingsbridge Armory, we absolutely can achieve a win.”

 

Gibson mentioned the prior State and City individual funding commitments of $100 million each for the project, announced previously by NY Gov. Kathy Hochul and NYC Mayor Eric Adams, along with $15 million allocated by the City Council, $3 million by the Bronx Borough President’s office, and $1 million by Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).

 

Local organizations, residents, and advocates were also permitted to speak. They included nonprofit, Part of the Solution (POTS), which serves the local unhoused population providing meals, showers and other services, Bronx Community College (BCC), street vendors, and longtime Kingsbridge Heights residents. Concerns about traffic and other environmental concerns were recurring themes throughout the hearing.

 

Three public hearings, one virtual and two in person, were held over the course of the summer on the plan prior to the City Council hearing.

Sandra Lobo, executive director of the Northwest Bronx Community Clergy & Coalition (NWBCCC), said over 600 jobs are estimated to be created by the latest development.

 

As reported, while the Armory’s protected status as a historical building and the largest armory in the country limits what it can be used for, the latest “Kingsbridge Center (El Centro Kingsbridge),” project, announced in January, is a two-phase, multi-use project expected to be finalized some time in 2030 and 2032, respectively.

 

Developers say Phase I of construction/renovation of the site is estimated to take three years, and construction of the new adjacent residential building, under Phase II, is expected to take 24-30 months. Officials said they expect 50 days out of the year to be taken up with live events at the armory. Currently the National Guard operates from two annexes on West 195th Street, between Jerome Avenue and Reservoir Avenue.

 

The Kingsbridge Armory opened in 1917 and was used by the United States military until 1994 before reverting to city ownership in 1996. The armory was designated a New York City Landmark in 1974. According to 8th Regiment Partners, they aim to break ground on the project sometime in 2026.

 

Meanwhile, during Bronx Community Board 7’s land use meeting held Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Bedford Park, a representative from the councilwoman’s office and by NWBCCC broadly said discussions are ongoing around the various commercial tenant lease discussions and other matters. More to follow.

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.