Congressman José E. Serrano praised the efforts of the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) and applauded Monday's historic City Council vote on the Armory project. By a 45-1 margin, the Council rejected a proposal to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory that lacked provisions for a living wage agreement. Serrano has long supported the redevelopment of the Armory, but has said from the outset that the entire package must benefit the community both during the process and into the future.

"From the start I have always said that any redevelopment centered on the Kingsbridge Armory must include plans to provide solid jobs with a living wage," said Serrano. "When I heard that the plan to be voted on was not going to include a living wage provision, I made my views clear-neither I nor my constituents would support such a bad deal for our borough. The City Council heard the message loud and clear, and relayed that message to big developers in our City.

"What KARA has taught all of us is a basic lesson of urban policy: Using public subsidies to underwrite minimum wage jobs only keeps people in poverty and ends up costing cities even more over the long-term. This is a lesson we should all take to heart. We cannot and should not support unsustainable development."

"The mayor is telling the poorest urban community in the U.S. that we do not deserve to make a living wage. There's something wrong with that picture," said Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter of KARA. "Congressman Serrano has been a consistent supporter of our fight for living wage and for a community benefits agreement that would make the Armory redevelopment project mutually beneficial to both the developer and the community."

"The vote sent a strong, clear message that local communities can and should have a say in what kind of development happens in our neighborhoods," said Laura Vazquez, Executive Director of Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition. "Congressman Serrano has been an outstanding advocate for that position since this long process began three years ago"

"We applaud all our elected officials for taking a stand against powerful developers who want to take public subsidies without giving anything in return," said Ava Farkas, lead organizer for KARA. "Congressman Serrano stood with us from the very beginning of this struggle and continued to advise us throughout the long process. We are grateful for his ongoing support. The city council vote was a victory for community organizing, democracy and for the dignity of the people of the Bronx."

Congressman José E. Serrano has represented the Bronx in Congress since 1990.

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) joined Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today in applauding the New York City Council's decision to promote responsible development by rejecting the Bloomberg administration's plans for the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory because they did not include a binding Community Benefits Agreement with living wage jobs, first source local hiring, protection of the right of retail workers to join a union without fear or intimidation, community and recreation space, and the exclusion of a supermarket or a big box grocery store.

This is the first time that Mayor Bloomberg has lost a full council vote for one of his development initiatives. The vote was 45-to-1, with one abstention.

"It is no longer an acceptable business model to allow billionaire companies to take major tax breaks to do business in our borough while they create little more than part-time, low wages jobs without benefits or much chance for advancement," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "What we wanted all along was to have the Armory developed in such a way that not only the developer and the tenants benefit, but also the people of the borough of the Bronx. What today's vote confirms is that we can no longer support any project that only ensures profits for the developer while leaving the people of the Bronx in poverty."

"Today the Council sent a strong message that economic development has to be good for the community and not just a private developer," said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and KARA co-convener. "With this vote today, the City Council is saying that the policies of the past do not work and that it's time for developers to live up to their responsibilities to the community. New York needs a development strategy that puts people first, and that begins with the developers guaranteeing the rights of workers to a living wage."

"This is a bittersweet victory," said Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, KARA leader and Executive Board member of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition. "We want the Armory developed. Unfortunately, the Bloomberg administration chose to kill the project rather than require the developer, the Related Companies, to sign a binding Community Benefits Agreement that guaranteed living wages and other benefits for the community."

In its application for the development, The Related Companies said it would create 1,200 part time, minimum wage jobs with no benefits. Related had received promises of $90 million in public financing through Industrial Development Agency subsidies, tax credits and repairs to the building.

A living wage in New York City is at least $10 an hour plus benefits or $11.50 an hour without benefits.

The struggle around securing living wages at the Kingsbridge Armory has provided a spark for the movement to mandate living wages in all city-subsidized development. Living wage legislation was introduced late last week at the City Council.

Community Benefits Agreements have been negotiated in cities around the country with developers receiving tax dollars and tax exemptions to help underwrite their projects. These agreements have helped developers build profitable projects while guaranteeing good jobs that pay living wages and create community spaces. Of particular concern to many Bronx residents are the types of jobs that will be created.

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) is a large coalition of community groups, churches and unions that seek high road, equitable development for the Kingsbridge Armory. The alliance wants the redevelopment to meet the community's needs for living wage jobs, community space, recreational facilities and schools. City, state and federal officials have endorsed KARA.

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) joined Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today in opposing any agreement on the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory that does not include a mandatory living wage for retail workers and in urging the City Council to defeat the plan when it comes up for a vote on Monday.

Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and KARA co-convener, praised Diaz for opposing any agreement that does not include a living wage. “We stand with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz in opposing what the Bloomberg administration is proposing, a city-subsidized poverty wage center at the Armory,” Appelbaum said. "Bronx workers need a living wage. Bloomberg’s proposals would condemn them to a life of poverty wages and reliance on charity. Workers in the Bronx need jobs with living wages and benefits." In his statement today, Bronx Borough President Diaz said, “I am proud of the work that my office did to negotiate a strong community benefits agreement for this project that would offer the best possible benefits for the people of the Bronx. But the current proposals fall short of our stated goals, and I cannot, in good conscience, support this deal. I hope that the City Council will join me in opposition and vote this project down.”

In its application for the development, The Related Companies says it will create 1,200 part time, minimum wage jobs with no benefits. Related has received promises of $90 million in public financing through Industrial Development Agency subsidies, tax credits and repairs to the building.

A living wage in New York City is at least $10 an hour plus benefits or $11.50 an hour without benefits.

The New York City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises is scheduled to vote Monday, December 14, on Related’s application to develop the historic Armory. The full Council is scheduled to vote on the project afterwards.

Community Benefits Agreements have been negotiated in cities around the country with developers receiving tax dollars and tax exemptions to help underwrite their projects. These agreements have helped developers build profitable projects while guaranteeing good jobs that pay living wages and create community spaces. Of particular concern to many Bronx residents are the types of jobs that will be created.

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) is a large coalition of community groups, churches and unions that seek high road, equitable development for the Kingsbridge Armory. The alliance wants the redevelopment to meet the community’s needs for living wage jobs, community space, recreational facilities and schools. City, state and federal officials have endorsed KARA. Visit www.ourarmory.org.