The New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO has joined the RWDSU, Building Construction Trades Council and other major labor unions in calling for the City Council to only approve The Related Companies' application for the rezoning and sale of the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx if the developer signs a binding Community Benefits Agreement that includes living and prevailing wage jobs, apprentice protections and other community standards. (Read the press release)

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) today to call on the City Council to reject The Related Companies’ application for the rezoning and sale of the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx unless the developer signs a binding Community Benefits Agreement 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.

"We are not asking for anything radical or extreme,” said Diaz. “We are simply asking that, in a borough that has the highest poverty rate in the nation and has consistently seen the highest unemployment numbers in New York State, Related and their future tenants provide living wage jobs with benefits that allow Bronxites a chance to provide for their families and to build a better life. I am hopeful that the developer will sit down with my office to negotiate this issue and others prior to the City Council's upcoming vote on the project, and I will continue to stand up and do what is right for the people of The Bronx."

The Borough President made his statement at a press conference with KARA just moments after the City Planning Commission decided to send Related’s application on to the City Council for a final decision. The Council has 50 days to make its decision on Related’s application.

“This is a public project and its development must improve the lives of working people in the community,” said KARA leader Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter. “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.”

Related has received promises of $90 million in public financing including Industrial Development Agency subsidies, tax credits and repairs to the building.

Support for living wage jobs with benefits at the Armory continues to grow as the heads of six of the city's most powerful unions sent letters last week to City Council members urging them to demand that Related commit to permanent living-wage retail jobs at the Armory.

Diaz and KARA members also said that Related must address other issues, such as severe traffic congestion and the additional environmental and health hazards this project will create.

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’)”, and to “not duplicate or directly compete with existing retail.” (In New York City, living wages are $10 an hour plus benefits, or $11.50 an hour with benefits.)

Instead, Related’s plans to build the city-subsidized “Shops at the Armory” mall would create 1,200 part time, poverty wage jobs with no benefits and bring in national retail chains to compete against locally owned businesses.

“Economic development that creates jobs that keep people in poverty accomplishes nothing,” said Jeff Eichler of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), also a KARA member. “We call on the City Council to do what the Bronx Borough President has done, reject Related’s development plans unless they sign a binding Community Benefits Agreement that meets the needs of the community.”

“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,” 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. “I am hopeful that the growing call for a binding Community Benefits Agreement will encourage them to do what’s right.”

Nelson Eusebio of the National Supermarket Alliance joined Diaz and KARA in calling on the City Council to reject Related’s bid to develop the Armory unless they sign a binding Community Benefits Agreement.

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.

To view video coverage of the press conference, check out:
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Discusses CPC Vote on Kingsbridge Armory (Part 1)
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Discusses CPC Vote on Kingsbridge Armory (Part 2)

Leaders of the city's largest labor organizations, representing more than one million New Yorkers, are sending letters to City Council members in support of KARA's demand that the development of the Kingsbridge Armory include living wage jobs for anyone working there. Read more from the Labor Leaders Letter and LaBarbera Letter.