Armory Anniversary

A year ago today the City Council told a $300 million+ investor, "Thanks, but no thanks." This Sunday, the Post ran an interesting op ed piece calling the site "an empty sore instead of jobs."

Any casual reader of the ole BD knows where we stand on this issue, and frankly, we took a lot of flack for not falling in line with the groupthink mentality of the NW Bronx. We'd just like to remind everyone about some facts concerning the Armory debacle.

The Armory still remains vacant and a financial liability rather than an asset for the city and the neighborhood. The communications director for Ruben Diaz, John DeSio, states, "According to the City the Kingsbridge Armory costs $1 million a year to maintain." Clearly, this is not an insignificant amount of money.

There still seems to be no clarity on what will happen to the historic site - or even what specifically Ruben Diaz and the task force would want to go there in an ideal world. The task force reportedly has met six times since its inception, according to Mr. DeSio, and they expect to give a report in the spring. When pressed about the Beep's personal vision for the site, Mr. DeSio related the following:

The borough president and the task force agree that efforts to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory should focus on strategic reuse of the property for a combination of community revitalization, education, and economic development purposes. The borough president would like to see the armory developed into a facility that meets these goals.

I'm not sure I see much specificity in this response. Maybe if we wish really really hard, that unicorn farm with $50K/year jobs with benefits might appear.

One thing that is certain: the 2,200 jobs, even if they were all minimum wage, would have paid Bronxites $33,176,000 (thirty-three million, one hundred and seventy-six thousand dollars!) in just this last year.

It seems this once frequent BD commenter who wrote the following during those heated days last December might want to rethink his statement:

...and since both of you are unabashed whores to related, as if they are the only ones who can save us, you need to know there ARE other plans out there and there ARE other ideas out there. and Guy, i know this is gonna hurt, but you didn't listen the last time, the BP does have a plan B... and even a C and D that you're going to hear about soon.

It seems like the BP didn't have any other plans beyond the shortsighted political expedience of hooting and hollering to promise something he couldn't deliver. The perfect became the enemy of the good and the Armory remains vacant, and no jobs or services have been created from the whole ordeal.

And to those who will decry the fact that Bloomy will be more reluctant to help anything get off the ground at the Armory because of the embarrassing defeat dealt him by Ruben Diaz and the City Council, remember that there are consequences to moral victories, O dear Pyrrhus.

~ErLu

Yet Another Armory Study

Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr.'s office announced yesterday that the faculty and students of NYU's Capstone Program will be engaging in a year-long study to determine alternate uses for the Kingsbridge Armory. The blogger over at Bronx Political Chatter pretty much sums up our feelings on yet another study of the redevelopment of the Armory. Study it all you want - you still need someone who's willing to come in invest hundreds of millions of dollars to rehab it.

Bronx News Network spoke with Diaz Jr.'s Communications Director, John DeSio, who said that this is great news for the Armory and, "Things, they come through this program, they happen." Whew - now I feel better!

~ErLu

BP Diaz to Host Hearing on "Jobs for the 21st Century" [UPDATED]

Ha! It's nice to get a chuckle on a rainy Friday morning...From the inbox:

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and New York State Senate President Malcolm A. Smith will host a joint legislative hearing on “Jobs for the 21^st Century,” a public meeting (today, from 10am to 12pm at 851 Grand Concourse) organized by the New York State Tri-Level Legislative Task Force to receive input from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to better determine what local, state and federal government can do to create jobs and put New Yorkers back to work.

Bronx business’ [sic] owners and local entrepreneurs will testify in front of the task force, which will compile the information received during the hearing to better determine what can be done to attract companies and create jobs in the borough.

Here's an idea of how to "create jobs and put New Yorkers back to work" - don't kill a $310 million mall plan that would create 2,200 jobs.

Update @ 11:20am with some love from a BD Reader in the ol' inbox:

I just wanted to let you know that I love your posts on the Armory---I don't understand how anyone can justify losing all those jobs and that retail center? Regardless of the bp stance on living wage issues you can't let that project go in a down economy--his job was to make it happen and work out a deal. It was too big a project to let it fail. These other guys who defend it do not represent the community--if you took a poll of the area and asked if they would have wanted the jobs and shopping venue I bet it would have overwhelming support. What a loss. But your comments have been right on the mark--don't let a few crazies try to stop you b/c a lot more people agree with what you are saying and so few people are willing or able to speak up.

Thanks, BD Reader!

~ErLu

Mall Opens in Queens and Employees Feel "Relief"

I read this interesting piece in last weekend's New York Times and I've been meaning to post it on here all week...

A new mall recently opened in the Rego Park section of Queens, bringing with it about 1,000 new jobs. Some key excerpts from the piece:

Relief seems to be the predominant emotion among the workers within the new stores. Almost every one of them approached had spent considerable time unemployed.

Lindora Holmes, 57, another Century 21 salesperson, said she was jobless for more than two years, after she was laid off by an auto parts manufacturer in Long Island City.

“It’s good to be back,” she said.

Sales jobs at the malls generally pay $8 an hour — not much above the $7.25 minimum wage. But, Ms. Holmes said, “It’s better than not having anything at all,” adding, “If your manager sees how you work, it’s an opportunity for you to move up to the next level.” [New York Times]

and...

“Anybody who’s traveling from this end of Queens doesn’t have to go to Nassau County and Roosevelt Field,” said Frank Gulluscio, district manager of local Community Board 6. “Everything’s right there — parking, food and great retail. We’re not sending those jobs out to Nassau. We’re keeping them right here in New York City.” [New York Times]

I'll give you one guess as to where I'm going with all this...that's right, I'm wondering how the new employees at The Shops at Kingsbridge Armory would have felt about actually having landed employment with a shot of upward mobility in this shiteous economy if Related's plans had actually moved forward. And before you all shout "subsidies, subsidies!!" at me, please click here to read a helpful comment from BD Reader Jay Shuffield pointing out some of the misconceptions surrounding the subsidies that Related (not the actual retailers) were set to get from the City in the now defunct Armory deal.

I just couldn't let the week end without bringing up the Kingsbridge Armory, could I? I know, I'm annoying!

~ErLu

Boots on the Ground Armory Reaction

The Daily News ran an opinion piece by president of the National Hispanic Business Group and owner of Tri-Line Contracting Corporation, Jose Velazquez, decrying the Council vote against the redevelopment of the Armory. It's worth the read.

Here are some key excepts:

"Maybe those type of demands [living wage] make sense in an ivory tower, not in the real world. In the real world, it meant the economics of the project simply didn't compute. In the real world, it meant the project couldn't survive.

I don't know who won this fight, but I do know who lost: Our people lost. We lost more than 2,200 yet-to-be-created jobs. And we lost ancillary jobs that go beyond this project."

AND

"This armory has been vacant for more than a decade and was long seen as a beacon of hope for new economic opportunity. With the Council vote, it will likely remain empty for decades longer as a painful symbol of how political grandstanding can keep poor neighborhoods impoverished and local residents out of work."

Here's the entire piece:

Grandstanding on Kingsbridge Armory Costs Bronx Jobs [Jose Velazquez, Daily News]

~ErLu

R.I.P. 'Shops at the Armory' (and 2,200 jobs along with it...)

As you probably already know, the City Council has officially voted down Related's proposal to redevelop the Armory.

Here is a photo of the Armory as I passed it this morning, and this is how it shall remain for the foreseeable future: an empty, stagnant, rotting corpse.

Click here to read Crain's NY's coverage, which is aptly titled, "City Council to kill plan for 2,200 Bronx jobs."

~ErLu

Armory a No-Go in First Two Votes of the Day

The Zoning and Franchise and Land Use Committees have both voted no on Related's proposal to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory.

The full Council will be voting later on today, but it's expected that will be a no-go as well.

Jobs? Who needs 'em! Certainly not the borough with the highest unemployment rate...nope, no sirree. You can shove those jobs up your ass, Related! We're busy gaining great economic strides here in the Bronx by outsourcing our retail and food shopping to the stores up in Westchester.

For coverage live from City Hall, check over at Bronx News Network.

~ErLu

"Subsidy" Misconceptions Regarding the Armory Deal

Our post yesterday regarding the arrival of a new Fairway supermarket up in Pelham Manor (just north of the Bronx) sparked quite a few comments.

One of the comments from BD reader Jay Shuffield is worth highlighting, as it provides a valuable insight into the subsidies that Related is receiving from the City should the 'Shops at the Armory' deal move forward. The debate surrounding the redevelopment of the Armory is quite passionate, and rightfully so. Unfortunately, too often quite a bit of rhetoric gets in the way of understanding complex financial issues that surround a massive development deal such as this (I'll be the first to admit that my stance on the Armory is based on pretty general stuff, such as the fact that I'm sick of going to Westchester to shop, and I firmly believe that job creation at any economic level is a good thing).

I found Jay Shuffield's comment to be quite helpful in getting to the root of what the City, as well as Bronxites and citywide taxpayers alike, stand to gain from Related's plan. Here's what he had to say:

I think there is a lot of misconception about the notion of "subsidies" for the Armory.

First, any supermarket moving into the Armory would see zero subsidy. The developer would charge a market rate rental, so the concessions made to the developer do not translate into any competitive advantage for a new supermarket at all.

Then there is the issue of the "subsidies" for the developer.
This is a complex financial negotiation for an encumbered site. The City is trying to sell a landmark that is in rough shape and needs a lot of renovations to bring it up to the standards required by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. This is actually not too different from the way a typical person would sell their house.

For example, if you were selling a house that had old appliances that needed to be replaced, holes in the walls that needed to be repaired, and old electric wiring that needed to be entirely replaced, the buyer would either ask you to make the improvements or make a financial concession. That wouldn't typically be called a "subsidy," it's just a typical part of a real estate negotiation.

It is also worth considering that the City currently incurs costs for the ongoing maintenance of the building. There would be immediate savings to the taxpayers simply by relieving the City of the need to keep the building from deteriorating even more. (Or conversely, if it were allowed to deteriorates more, its value for any potential deal would be even lower, requiring more concessions later...)

Then there is the investment aspect of the City's concessions. By making it possible for new retail to open sooner, the City brings in more money through taxes. Currently, New York City loses a significant amount of potential sales taxes to Westchester County because so many Bronx residents leave the borough for their shopping needs. The sooner the City can open competitive retail, the sooner it expects to begin collecting taxes to support the public benefits provided by municipal services.

So - it's complicated. I don't know how well the City is negotiating. Perhaps they are giving away too much without getting enough in return. I can't really say. But the casual use of the word "subsidy" obscures the real issues.

Since I went ahead and stepped into this, I might as well finish the story...

If you assume the City is negotiating for a good return for the City, the real question is how equitably the benefits are distributed.

There is a strong argument for this neighborhood to receive specific local benefits, rather than dumping it all into the General Fund. This neighborhood will deal with the impacts of construction, and it has not historically enjoyed the same quality of City services as other areas. The benefits really shouldn't consist primarily of sales taxes deposited into the General Fund, where they will likely be spent in more politically-connected parts of the city.

It is important to recognize that providing the benefits for the local community is for the City to take less in revenue for the General Fund. This reduction in payments into the General Fund is not a "subsidy," but rather a different way of structuring the deal.

Jay, thanks for such an enlightening comment.

~ErLu

The Armory

Looks like more of the same went on at yesterday's City Council hearing regarding the potential development of the Kingsbridge Armory... As expected, the Bronx delegation of the Council stuck to their guns on demanding that a living wage be guaranteed for any employment possibilities there, and Related Companies stressed the fact that in the borough with the highest unemployment numbers in the state, the important thing should be to establish jobs period.

Here's some nice NY1 coverage of what went down at yesterday's hearing. So are we to assume that the possibility of bringing a supermarket into the Armory is dead at this point? Anyone at the hearing yesterday care to share if the topic even came up at all?

Anyhoo, y'all know how we feel about this issue...we've detailed it here, here, here, and here. (Yes, we're quite opinionated round here.)

We just wanted to give a big kudos to Jarrett Murphy of City Limits for crafting perhaps the most significant (and refreshingly neutral) piece regarding the possible development of the Armory. Click here to check it out. Take a look at it when you have time - Mr. Murphy explores every nook and cranny of this deal that many others have overlooked. It's really the granddaddy of Armory coverage thus far. Here's one little piece we've pulled out to share with you that we hadn't seen before:

Under a plan tentatively approved by the city's Industrial Development Agency (IDA) earlier this year, Related would pay $5 million to purchase the Armory; seven years ago, the city spent at least $25 million to repair the building. Related would also receive $17 million in city, state and federal tax incentives for the project. An analysis by the IDA says the project will generate a net benefit of $85 million in tax revenue to the city over the next 30 years. [City Limits]

The fact that Related would be getting the Armory at such a bargain has been much ballyhooed by many Bronx residents and pols. But with $85 million in tax revenue coming into the city over the next 30 years, it would seem that the City's grand plan isn't so crazy after all: spend money to make money.

Well, that's all we'll write for now...I'm off to make my weekly trip up the Deegan for some reasonably priced, fresh groceries and a bit of retail shopping ;-) (That's right, I just used a winky emoticon...which officially takes the legitimacy of this blog down yet another notch.)

~ErLu

You Mean New Yorkers Take Subways? Get Outta Here!

We haven't been down to the much talked about Gateway Center yet, but most of the media coverage thus far has revealed that folks are happy to be able to do their shopping locally as opposed to heading to Westchester.

Well, Streetsblog had an eye-opening piece yesterday detailing the actual layout of the development and pointing out its awkwardness and anti-pedestrian qualities. It quotes the developer, Related Companies, as saying that they thought most shoppers would arrive via car (even though the complex is served by subways, buses, and even the Yankee Stadium Metro-North station). The lack of use of the retail center's accompanying parking garage suggests they were WRONG. Many people are indeed arriving by foot, and this is how they are welcomed:

Photo courtesy of the fabulous Streetsblog

Yikes! I can imagine many an elbow getting thrown on weekends to secure one's pedestrian spot on this plank-like ramp. Here's what one Streetsblog commenter (vnm) who lives in the area around the Gateway Center had to say:

Wow. I've got lots of comments on this mall, which I shop at a lot because it is within walking distance.

1) James, unfortunately, this is an example of "transit-adjacent development," as opposed to "transit-oriented development." Streetsblog could do an entire post on this fact alone. The mall places a blank wall and its truck shipping bay right next to the entrance to the Metro-North station. There are no signs at the station or the mall pointing to the other. To get from the rear of the station to the rear of the mall, you have to walk through at least one door through a chain link fence and through a parking lot/truck bay. Absolutely no thought was given to the fact that a train station was within a few hundred feet of a major retail outlet. I imagine some retail employees would take the train if they live in the northwest Bronx or Westchester County, but I can't imagine any shoppers using this alternative because of the way it has been presented. Hopefully, some of this will be remedied if and when they build "Phase II" of this mall project, which is a hotel on the site of the parking lot.

2) The photographer must have visited on a weekday. If you go there during the peak times on weekend you will see many more people jostling for space in that walkway.

3) Re parking, the city needs to install parking meters on the streets just outside the entrance. Right now everyone parks for free on E. 151st Street and Gerard Avenue and walks across the street to avoid the parking fee of $2.40 per hour. Generally, the city installs parking meters in retail districts. This area is now a retail district and should be treated accordingly.

Very insightful points. I certainly hope that if Related's plans for the Kingsbridge Armory move forward, similar mistakes are not repeated. I mean, the Marble Hill Target/Marshall's/etc. shopping center (another Related project) doesn't even have bike racks. How do you not install a couple of bike racks after you spend millions of dollars creating something?

Click here to check out the Streetsblog piece.

~ErLu

Armory Supermarket Debate Raging

For those who haven't been following, you should really check out our post on Morton Williams' fight against the proposed supermarket at the Kingsbridge Armory.

We've got nearly 30 comments debating both for and against a new supermarket at the Armory. Just this morning we've updated the post with the following statement we received from CB7 District Manager Fernando Tirado in direct response to Morton Williams:

Unfortunately, Avi Kaner's argument against a big-box supermarket opening up in the Armory doesn't hold water. No matter what Mr. Kaner's beliefs, the fact remains that obesity and diabetes continue to rise within our community and many Bronx residents find themselves forced to shop outside of our borough to find fresh and affordable groceries.

I applaud MW Supermarkets for their recent changes, but the truth of the matter is that the community as a whole still does not have quality supermarkets. I find the opposition to a supermarket in the Armory to be anti-democratic and anti-free market at the expense of the surrounding community. I hope that we can still come up with an alternative that brings healthier and affordable options to the Northwest Bronx.

Fernando P. Tirado
District Manager
Bronx Community Board 7

We couldn't have said it any better ourselves, Mr. Tirado.

~ErLu

Community Fight Co-opted by Morton Williams [UPDATED 2x with response from MW and CB7]

The New York Times had a very interesting piece about the opposition to a supermarket in the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment.

BoogieDowner has stated this before, but opposition to a supermarket in the Armory in no way benefits the community. We agree, along with CB7 Chairman Greg Faulkner (as related in the Times' article) that many residents need to shop outside of the community to procure decent groceries. We applaud his request for a supermarket in the Armory redevelopment. CB7 is a supermarket desert; to say otherwise is a lie.

Morton Williams has thoroughly co-opted the community fervor in regards to the Armory redevelopment. MW's deep pockets have funded consultants, lawyers, and City Council members to try to defeat a supermarket at the Armory.

The living wage issue has taken a back seat. From this article it appears that Related is willing to give up on the supermarket, but not on the living wage issue. Wouldn't it be a travesty if the living wage goal went unmet, but somehow the supermarket was defeated, and some false community victory declared?

BoogieDowner has no knowledge of Morton Williams' compensation practices, but does it give all of its employees a living wage (i.e. $10/hr plus benefits)?

There is a moral argument to be made for the living wage issue (even if the practicality is suspect), but the only argument against a supermarket is Morton Williams' bottom line.

Here's a little quote that reveals Morton Williams' real intentions:

The supermarket fight is reminiscent of a battle waged a decade ago in East Harlem against the suburban-size and highly successful Pathmark store on 125th Street and Lexington Avenue. A crucial player in that struggle, Richard Lipsky, the lobbyist for the smaller markets that opposed Pathmark’s entry into East Harlem, is representing Morton Williams. In June, Mr. Lipsky’s office inadvertently sent reporters a memo to his clients in which he outlined a strategy for defeating the project or significantly modifying it “in a direction that is acceptable to Morton Williams’ interests.” [NY Times]

Hmmm...Morton Williams' interests? What about the community's?

Update: Here's what Avi Kaner of Morton Williams had to say in the the comments section...We just wanted to highlight it so that no one misses it.

You're missing the point from Morton Williams' and the community's perspective.

Related’s Big Box food plans violate the terms of the city’s RFP which states “proposed commercial and retail uses must expand and enhance the current mix of retail offerings in the area, and endeavor to not duplicate or directly compete with the existing retail uses.” Suddenly, after Related was awarded the contract, it announced its intention to disregard this RFP requirement and instead plans a giant 60,000 square foot Big Box Supermarket or Warehouse Club in the armory that would have a catastrophic impact on our business and our company-wide hiring office across the street.

Related’s plan would represent a lethal blow to our two Bronx stores and many other local markets which would close as a result.

It will also be a punishing setback against the neighborhood with the elimination of many hundreds of Morton Williams union jobs - as our hiring and corporate office will be forced to move to a location outside of the Bronx where we have other stores.

To destroy our business with government subsidies is an outrage. The fact that taxes paid by businesses like ours will be used to subsidize a giant Big Box Supermarket or Warehouse Club magnifies the unfairness.

We are a good union employer that has been headquartered in the Kingsbridge community for over half a century, employing over 450 Kingsbridge area residents at any given time with full-time union jobs, health care, and other benefits. Many of our other 300 employees started out in this Bronx neighborhood. We are a leading private employer in the community with average wages that may be the highest for a private company in the area. Our payroll is $400,000 a week with 100% of our employees working full time.

We continuously update our stores with the most modern equipment and merchandising. We carry fresh and healthy foods, including an expanded selection of organic items as requested by Community Board 7.

We have never taken a penny in City subsidies. Now the City wants to use our tax dollars to put us out of business. This is unfair and unethical.

The Related Companies have spent millions of dollars on lobbyists; lawyers, and consultants to advance its plans. Just look at the draft Environmental Impact Statement. 10 pounds of paper and analysis that says that a Big Box Supermarket or Warehouse Club would not affect local businesses –– a ridiculous argument, even if it cost Related millions of dollars to produce the report.

We welcome fair competition. What we oppose is a sweetheart deal to a multi-billion dollar developer to put us out of business, with tens of millions of dollars in tax subsidies.

Avi Kaner
Morton Williams Supermarkets

Update #2 10/2/09: Fernando Tirado, District Manager of Community Board 7, has checked in with the following statement:

Unfortunately, Avi Kaner's argument against a big-box supermarket opening up in the Armory doesn't hold water. No matter what Mr. Kaner's beliefs, the fact remains that obesity and diabetes continue to rise within our community and many Bronx residents find themselves forced to shop outside of our borough to find fresh and affordable groceries.

I applaud MW Supermarkets for their recent changes, but the truth of the matter is that the community as a whole still does not have quality supermarkets. I find the opposition to a supermarket in the Armory to be anti-democratic and anti-free market at the expense of the surrounding community. I hope that we can still come up with an alternative that brings healthier and affordable options to the Northwest Bronx.

Fernando P. Tirado
District Manager
Bronx Community Board 7

~ErLu

Photo of the Day

Some shots of the Kingsbridge Armory

No Way, Jose...Come On, Mr. Rivera

Disclaimer: For those who are very sensitive to fashion criticism, or unable to pick up on sarcasm, please remember this is a joke.

So the Bronx News Network has a very extensive update about Ruben Diaz and his (delinquent?) advice on the Kingsbridge Armory. You can always count on them for some real journalism.

You all know what the ole BD feels about the issues of living wages and the fight against a new supermarket, so no need to be repetitious.

BoogieDowner just wants to make a little fashion exhortation to Jose Rivera (pictured far left). What's wrong with the picture below?

(photo courtesy of BNN)

Mr. Rivera, if you're going to show up to an official press conference/protest, please put on some dress slacks and a tie. 'Street casual' is not an acceptable look for an elected Bronx official unless you're busy dodging inquiring reporters up in Mamaroneck. If you're out-classed by Maria Baez, pictured far right (she of velour sweat suit fame), you have a problem...Step your game up, Jose. On a side note, it's nice to see our neighbor Doug Cunningham of New Day Church repping Bainbridge House.

And Petey Westchester was in the Bronx today. I wonder why he didn't show up? Pariah, anyone?

~ErLu

Beyond Living Wages: The Supermarket War at the Armory

The controversial Kingsbridge Armory project proposed by the Related Cos. will have another hearing tonight at 6pm on Lehman's campus in the Lovinger Theater.

BoogieDowner has voiced concerns about the practicality of the living wage debate, so I won't restate my position about that. BUT...the new issue of NOT having a supermarket in the Armory is reprehensible.

The Daily News is reporting that all eight Bronx City Council members sent a letter to Mayor Bloomberg asking him to reject any supermarket plan in the Armory. This is outrageous because anyone who lives in and around the Armory knows full well that quality supermarkets - not glorified bodegas - are very difficult to come by. Produce can be old, products expired, and prices high.

I am not sure if/how much money Morton William's (owner of a supermarket right near the Armory site), has given to the Bronx City Council members' campaigns, but it is clear that the Council members are attempting to protect Morton Williams from good old fashioned capitalist competition.

To say that CB7 has enough quality supermarkets is an outright lie.

For proof of the dearth of quality food shopping options just check out this BD post from February lamenting the grocery woes of the hood and the 14 comments from other Bronxites sharing info about where to find a decent supermarket.

~ErLu

Kingsbridge Armory Hearing Reminder

There is a public hearing concerning the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory this evening at Lehman College at 6:30 pm.

Here's a good article and accompanying video from NY1.

We know that KARA means well, but BoogieDowner would hate to see this building remain vacant because Related was bullied toward an unrealistic CBA. Workers at any retail stores in the armory should be treated well and compensated at a comparable rate to other retail workers. We all need to realize retail work is not a career. These jobs will be good to introduce (or re-introduce) people to the work force. Outside of the handful of mid-level and upper management, the jobs created will (and should) be stepping stones, rather than forever-jobs.

I'd love to see some community space provided by Related, but when it comes down to it the redevelopment will be centered on retail stores. The fact of the matter is that companies will only invest in a project if there is money to be made. Related is not a philanthropic institution.

Let's hope that a balance is struck between environmentally sensitive construction, new construction and retail jobs, qualified community benefits, and a revitalization of the Kingsbridge neighborhood.

~ErLu

Kingsbridge Armory Updates

The Bronx News Network has two very good updates today about the progress of the Kingsbridge Armory development.

UPDATE 1 is about the meeting that will be held at Lehman College next Wednesday, June 24th. More nitty-gritty details after the jump. It sound like people will be getting their pitchforks and torches ready. BD, on the other hand, thinks that having something done there is better that having a vacant and fallow space.

UPDATE 2 is good news from City Councilman Oliver Koppell's office that space has been freed up for schools on the Armory site.

Thanks for keeping up on this stuff, guys.

~ErLu

Kingsbridge Armory Hearing

Click here to check out the Norwood News' take on the Kingsbridge Armory hearing which took place October 2nd.

~ErLu

Armory Public Hearing Tonight

As most Bronxites know by now, there is a possibility of the Kingsbridge Armory being converted to a shopping mall.

Love the idea or hate it, you can make your voice heard on the issue tonight. A public hearing will be held at the Bronx Library Center (E. Kingsbridge Road and Briggs Avenue) at 6pm.

For more background information of the project, check out the Daily News' Bill Egbert's piece today by clicking here.

*Rendering courtesy of www.nydailynews.com*

~ErLu