New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball, and community leaders unveiled guiding principles for the “Together for Kingsbridge Vision Planâ€.
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That is outlining next steps for a process that will include the redevelopment of the historic and long underutilized Kingsbridge Armory and the creation of new economic opportunities in the Bronx.
Rooted in community priorities and drawing on growing industries, the vision plan focuses on creating family-sustaining, local jobs and improving the quality of life for residents of Kingsbridge Heights and neighboring Bronx communities.
The redevelopment effort could deliver over 1,800 jobs, including 1,100 construction jobs, and up to $10 billion in economic impact to the Bronx based on initial estimates.
In the engagement process, community members identified two key sets of priorities, which aim to shape proposals, for the future of the Kingsbridge Armory.
The first is a set of guiding principles actionable goals for the project in response to the community’s strengths and needs.
The community’s guiding principles include prioritizing youth, welcoming older adults, fostering intergenerational relationships, creating jobs and wealth for existing workers and communities, growing a regenerative local economy, maximizing community ownership, and putting the Bronx on the map.
The second is a list of priority uses for the armory — outlining industries and potential activations that could advance the community’s economic development priorities.
Within the priority uses, community members identified a series of preferred industries that would allow the armory to attract major private investment enabling the transformation of this public asset into a sustainable economic engine for local jobs and wealth. Those preferred industries include film and television, sustainable manufacturing, emerging technologies, and urban agriculture.
Along with the preferred industries, community members identified a set of complementary uses to provide equitable access to services and work opportunities for Bronx communities.
Those complementary uses include vocational training and a small business incubator; retail, food, and beverage uses; community gathering and organizing space; Bronx arts and culture space; recreation and health; and sustainable food systems. The community also stressed a desire for the project to hire local and union talent, sourced from Bronx-based businesses, and provide vocational training to residents. ■