Opinion

Opinion: The Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment is a historic opportunity for the Bronx

The future of the Kingsbridge Armory is moving in the right direction, but there is more work to be done to ensure that the redevelopment of this landmark works for all of the borough’s residents.

Kindsbridge Armory

Kindsbridge Armory Office of the Bronx Borough President

The future of the Northwest Bronx will be anchored by a massive redevelopment project on a site that has sat vacant for far too long. Thanks to an unprecedented level of community engagement and partnerships, we are turning the Kingsbridge Armory into an engine for progress.

At a time when our borough is losing opportunities through shortsighted political decisions, it is imperative that our borough take advantage of the projects that are in front of us. 

Last week, I released my positive recommendations to advance the Kingsbridge Armory project forward. This is the culmination of a process that began in 2022, when my office partnered with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Council Member Pierina Sanchez and others to launch the “Together for Kingsbridge/Juntos para Kingsbridge” initiative, a community-driven engagement process that developed the outline for the future redevelopment of this historic structure.

Thousands of Bronxites participated in these efforts in record numbers, developing a blueprint that has guided the process since. Out of that initiative grew the current proposal put forward by 8th Regiment Partners to build a mixed-use development featuring a state-of-the-art venue, along with cultural, commercial and light industrial manufacturing space and more. A second phase will include 500 units of affordable housing, bringing new homes to a community that greatly needs them.

We have even seen unprecedented cooperation between the developer and the community at large, as evidenced by the recent announcement that 8th Regiment had entered into a collaborative agreement with the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition to maximize long-term community interest and ownership. This includes a labor peace agreement, space for community institutions like the Coalition and affordable manufacturing space for companies that have been forced to leave the Bronx in recent years due to the lack of affordable space.

The future of the Kingsbridge Armory is moving in the right direction. But there is more work to be done to ensure that the redevelopment of this landmark works for all Bronx residents. For starters, this structure must be as environmentally sound as possible. The building will be constructed to LEED Gold standards, but there is still room to strengthen sustainability measures and prioritize climate justice. As the Bronx already suffers from some of the highest asthma rates in the city, mitigating air pollution during construction and in the long term must be a top priority.

The Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment is anticipated to create over 3,400 jobs, including approximately 2,800 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs. This is an opportunity to create meaningful careers for Bronx residents, and our neighbors must not be left behind. That is especially true for our young people, who should be guided into training programs as part of this redevelopment plan.

Engaging the youth of the Bronx at the Kingsbridge Armory should begin much earlier than when it is time for them to prepare for the job market. The redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory must intentionally create opportunities for Bronx youth to thrive, both culturally and economically. Dedicated space within the Armory should be reserved for youth-serving organizations that offer academic enrichment, mentorship, career exploration, arts education and mental health services. Programming should reflect the diversity of the borough and engage young people in meaningful ways, from mural and media arts to sports, STEM and civic engagement. Partnerships with local schools and youth-led organizations will ensure that programming is accessible, relevant and sustained.

The transformative redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory is almost upon us, and it is important that we build on our momentum to ensure that our community-led vision for this long vacant space is brought to fruition.

This redevelopment proposal for the Kingsbridge Armory represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver transformative, community-driven economic investment that will finally activate the untapped potential of this landmarked treasure, not just for the Northwest Bronx but for the entire Bronx and beyond.

Vanessa L. Gibson is the 14th Bronx borough president.

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