BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT FOLLOWING HER RECOMMENDATION ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT FOLLOWING HER RECOMMENDATION ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY

Click HERE for the recommendation

Bronx, NY-Last week, Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson held a public hearing on the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory and following the release of her recommendation issued the statement below.

"Last week's public hearing was a powerful continuation of the community focused engagement that has defined the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment process from the very beginning.

The redevelopment of this historic castle in the heart of the Northwest Bronx is a testament to our shared commitment to bringing unprecedented investment back into our communities. The voices we heard during last week`s public hearing made it abundantly clear that Bronxites are ready to see the Kingsbridge Armory reimagined into something bold, inclusive, and enduring. Residents, advocates, union representatives, elected officials, and community leaders showed up to ensure that this project will have affordable housing opportunities, good-paying union jobs with pathways to the middle class, recreational space for youth and families, support for small businesses, and a true commitment to equitable economic development in the Bronx that we have not seen in our borough for decades.

These ideologies were the focus of the Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan which was a nine-month visioning process that began in 2022, reached over 4,000 community members via 20 public events and 900 survey responses, all of which were to help guide this process. Guiding principles such as uplifting youth, creating jobs and generational wealth for families and communities, establishing a regenerative local economy, and maximizing community ownership were identified for the Armory. For too long the Bronx has been excluded from conversations that would promise deep investment in our borough but with this redevelopment project, we are righting the wrongs of the past and starting a bold new chapter.

My conditional recommendation was additive to what has been already proposed to ensure the future of the Kingsbridge Armory not just meets these directives but exceeds them. I want to ensure the Kingsbridge Armory proposal will be built by and for the people of The Bronx. To ensure this happens, I have also allocated $3 million of my capital funding to support the armory proposal.

I look forward to continuing our work with Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, 8th Regiment Partners, Sandra Lobo and the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition, Council Member Pierina Sanchez, my colleagues in government, community leaders, and advocates to ensure that this project reflects the vision and values of the community it serves and blueprint put forth in the Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan. Success here will depend not just on what is built, but on how it is built, through deep partnerships, long-term investment, and ongoing accountability to The Bronx communities this project is meant to serve.

Together, we will transform the Kingsbridge Armory into a vibrant and thriving economic hub that supports the creation of new housing, workforce development, strengthens local businesses, and creates new opportunities for generations of Bronx residents."