December 17, 2009
"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.
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.