Sixteen community organizations throughout the five boroughs recently signed a letter which calls for the New York City Council to only approve of the Related Companies' proposed redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory in a Community Benefits Agreement is in place. These groups are joining KARA in demanding that workers be paid a living wage with union rights, and that the redevelopment preserves local businesses and provides such benefits as affordable recreational facilities.

"Your vote is important to us because what happens at the Armory will affect future development plans in all of our communities," write the community groups. Click here to read the full letter.

Community members are fighting to win a Community Benefits Agreement at the Kingsbridge Armory. Voices of KARA shows just a few of the many activists who are demanding living wage jobs, healthcare, education, recreational facilities and the protection of local businesses in the Bronx.

“The community is telling these developers that we want living wage jobs, we want local hiring, we want affordable recreational areas, we want to be able to be proud of this development,” says Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC).

“They can’t come in here and give us part time jobs with no benefits,” says Mary Corsey, also of the NWBCCC. “It’s not right for anybody,” she adds.

Click here to watch what she and other activists in the Bronx have to say about their own struggles and how they hope to improve the community in which they live.

There are hundreds of voices throughout the Bronx who are speaking out for responsible development of the Kingsbridge Armory. If you would like to make your own voice heard, please email dkrauthamer@rwdsu.org.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz recently affirmed his call for a fair and binding Community Benefits Agreement at the Kingsbridge Armory that includes 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.

To the applause of the more than 1,000 community members at an October 25 rally for good development in the Bronx, Diaz Jr., told rally-goers, "A living wage is not an unreasonable request, especially when billionaire developers are taking tens of millions in taxpayer subsidies to do business in our community. I will continue to push for a strong Community Benefits Agreement for the Kingsbridge Armory development, one that includes a living wage, and I will urge my colleagues in the City Council to join me in this fight. I support development, but it must be done the right way."”

Diaz spoke in the St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church to members of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) and Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA). Afterward, chanting "Whose Armory, Our Armory" they marched to the historic Armory and linked arms together around it.

Support for living wage jobs with benefits at the Armory continues to grow after four members of the City Planning Commission (CPC) took the unusual step of voting against the project and in favor of Diaz and the community's call for a binding Community Benefits Agreement. Diaz's CPC representative voted against the project, as did those from the Manhattan and Brooklyn borough presidents and the Public Advocate.

The week before the heads of six of the city's most powerful unions sent letters to every City Council member urging them to demand that The Related Companies, the developer seeking to build a mall inside the Armory, commit to permanent living wage retail jobs in the Armory.

The rezoning and sale of the Armory is now being taken up by the City Council for a final decision. The Council has 50 days to make its decision on Related's application.

Teresa Anderson, KARA activist and NWBCCC President said, "This is a public project and its development must improve the lives of working people in the community. Our City Council representatives now have a golden opportunity to set a precedent that ensures that future development in the City benefit the people of the City, and not just the developers. The City Council must vote 'No' on the development of the Kingsbridge Armory until Related signs a binding Community Benefits Agreement."

“The fight for living wage jobs at the Kingsbridge Armory is a fight for a new model of development that will benefit everyone in New York City. Development must work not only for the developer but also for the residents of the neighborhood where it takes place. The Armory fight is about making sure development benefits the working people in our communities,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union and a co-convener of KARA. "We can not be satisfied with an approach that enriches wealthy developers while impoverishing our communities."

Speakers also called on The Related Companies to address other issues, such as severe traffic congestion and the additional environmental and health hazards this project will create.

Addressing the rally were also: Eliot Engel, U.S. Congressman; Jose Rivera, Jeffrey Dinowitz, Nelson Castro, NYS Assemblymen; Joel Rivera, Oliver Koppell, Melinda Katz, Tony Avella, Robert Jackson, City Council members; community members, clergy, and small business owners.

Community Benefit Agreements have been negotiated in cities around the country with developers who would be 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.

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) is a 22-member 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.

Listen to Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.'s speech in support of living wage jobs at the Oct. 25 rally: