The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) today called on the City Planning Commission to reject the Related Company’s application for the rezoning and sale of the Kingsbridge Armory in the Northwest Bronx until the developer signs a binding Community Benefits Agreement that includes living wage jobs at the landmarked Armory. The action came just days after Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz gave a negative recommendation on the Related Company’s plans because, among other things, they do not include an enforceable CBA.

“Economic development that creates jobs that keep people in poverty accomplishes nothing, ” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and co-convener of KARA. “We call on the Planning Commission to do what the Bronx Borough President has done, reject Related’s development plans unless, and until, they sign a binding Community Benefits Agreement that meets the needs of the community.”

Related has already received promises of $90 million in public financing through IDA subsidies, tax credits and repairs to the building.

“This is a public project and its development must improve the lives of working people in the community,” said KARA leader Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter. “We will not allow our Armory to be used solely as a profit center for Related.”

Diaz, KARA and other stakeholders recently presented Related with a CBA that spells out those things that the Armory project must include: 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.

In its Request for Proposals to develop the Armory, the City’s Economic Development Corporation called for “development plans that maximize the number of jobs that meet the City’s living wage and health benefits standards (‘living wage jobs’).”

Instead, Related’s plans to build the “Shops at the Armory” mall would create 1,200 part time, poverty wage jobs with no benefits.

The Planning Commission later held a public hearing as part of the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) and is expected to vote on the project next month. The City Council will then consider Related’s application and will have the final say as to whether or not the plan goes forward.

Community Benefits 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 19-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.

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) applauded Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz's decision today to oppose The Related Companies' current plans to redevelop the landmark Armory.

Diaz issued his negative recommendation on Related's plans to the City Planning Commission as part of the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP). The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the development on Wednesday, September 9.

"Diaz has shown great courage today," said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and co-convener of KARA. "We proudly stand with him in the fight for development that strengthens our City by requiring developers to sign Community Benefits Agreements that meet the needs of working people in our neighborhoods."

Diaz, KARA and other stakeholders recently presented Related with a CBA that spells out those things that the Armory project must include: 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 big box grocery store.

"We will not allow our Armory to be used solely as a profit center for Related," said KARA leader Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter. "This is a public project and its development must improve the lives of working people in the community."

In its Request for Proposals to develop the Armory, the City's Economic Development Corporation called for "development plans that maximize the number of jobs that meet the City's living wage and health benefits standards ('living wage jobs')."

Instead, Related's plans to build the "Shops at the Armory" mall would create 1,200 part time, poverty wage jobs with no benefits.

"We applaud Diaz's decision in support of responsible development and support him all the way," said Fred LeMoine, KARA member and Vice-President of the Bronx Board of Business Agents, a branch of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, and Business Agent for the Metallic Lathers & Reinforcing Ironworkers Union, Local 46. "Related has a history of working with the trades and I am disappointed that they have not yet come to terms with the community stakeholders. I am hopeful that this will encourage them to do what's right."

Community Benefits 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 19-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.

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) joined Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz today in announcing the terms of a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that the developer, The Related Companies, must meet for the redevelopment of the Armory to proceed. The event took place at the Armory, located at West Kingsbridge Road and Jerome Avenue in the Bronx.

The terms of the CBA written by Diaz, KARA, Community Board 7 and State Assemblyman Jose Rivera include community and recreation space, money for affordable housing, the exclusion of a big box grocery store, local hiring, living wage jobs and the protection of the right of retail workers to join a union without fear or intimidation.

Diaz and the community stakeholders will now enter into negotiations with Related to get them to agree to the terms of the CBA. If they are successful, the redevelopment of the Armory will transform the Northwest Bronx with a high road retail development that meets the community’s needs.

The negotiations with Related will determine whether or not Diaz supports or rejects the developer’s application for the rezoning and sale of the Armory as part of the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP).

“We have laid out a strong community benefits agreement, and we want to work with The Related Companies to make this project a reality. I look forward to sitting down with the developer in the coming days to discuss this document and the principles contained within it,” said Borough President Diaz. “Developers who do business in the Bronx must be mindful of the desires of the community, and we hope that Related will take that advice to heart.”

KARA representative Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), praised Diaz for bringing all of the community stakeholders together to hammer out the terms of a CBA that they will take to Related.

“We appreciate the leadership Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz has shown in bringing all of the community stakeholders together to ensure any development of the Armory is good for the community,” Appelbaum said. He repeated KARA’s position that "Economic development that creates jobs that keep people in poverty accomplishes nothing," Appelbaum said. "We expect and demand that the Kingsbridge Armory be developed in a way that strengthens the community, and not just enriches the developer."

In its current application for the development, The Related Companies says it will create 1,200 part time jobs with no benefits.

Once Diaz makes his recommendation to support or oppose Related’s application to redevelop the Armory, the City Planning Commission will review the application and then it will go to the City Council, which has the final say.

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 19-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.