December 23, 2009

Next Order of Business: Planning for Armory Future and Living Wage Jobs Citywide

This holiday season, the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) and the people of the Bronx are celebrating as we've gotten one step closer to achieving a redeveloped Armory that truly benefits the community. In addition, we have successfully raised the issue for the need for a living wage ordinance in New York City.

On Monday, Dec. 21, the New York City Council voted 48 to 1, with one abstention, to override Mayor Bloomberg's veto of its decision to disapprove the administration's plans for the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory. Although the Bloomberg administration claims this to be a "great tragedy" that will prevent job creation, the people who live in the Bronx do not agree.

"Development must meet the needs of our community and The Related Companies’ plan did not," said Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, a KARA leader and Executive Board member of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC), a KARA co-convener. “We look forward to working with our elected officials to see that the Armory is developed with a Community Benefits Agreement that includes living wage jobs and all the other items included in the Bronx Borough President's proposal that was shot down by the Mayor."

The struggle around securing living wages at the Kingsbridge Armory has sparked a movement to mandate living wages in all city-subsidized development.

“As we move forward, we must guarantee that all subsidized development in New York City guarantee the permanent workforce have living wage jobs and the right to form unions,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers Union (RWDSU), a KARA co-convener. “These guarantees ensure people can strive to live a decent life in New York City.”

As for the billionaire Mayor’s argument that any job is better than no job, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. said after the City Council Dec. 14 vote to kill the project: "We here maintain that the notion of 'any job is better than no job' no longer applies. The overwhelming majority of the people who are against what we've done here today are A) individuals that are making more than a living wage, and B) don't live in the beautiful Borough of the Bronx."

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.

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) is a large 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. Visit http://www.ourarmory.org