KARA demands: No development without a community benefits agreement

“This is a public project, and its development must improve the lives of working people in the community,” said Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, a leader of the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance, on the steps of City Hall Nov. 17. Pilgrim-Hunter spoke after a stormy hearing on a proposal for a mall on the site of the historic Kingsbridge Armory in the northwest Bronx, New York.

“When billionaire developers are accepting tens of millions of dollars in tax benefits to build in our communities,” said Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., “it is not a radical idea to ask that the jobs they create be good jobs.”

Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, said: “Any project that creates permanent jobs that keep people in poverty does absolutely nothing to benefit the people of this city. In fact it causes harm.” His call to reject the Related Companies’ plans to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory was joined by representatives of the New York City Central Labor Council, Service Employees Local 32BJ, the Hotel Trades Council, the United Federation of Teachers, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, District Council 37.

Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert Lieber testified that the Mayor’s office is against requiring retailers that receive government subsidies to pay a living wage.

A vote on the development proposal, both in committee and in the full City Council, is set for Dec. 9. KARA is mobilizing all its supporters to pressure for a strong NO vote.