NYCEDC, Elected Officials, and Community Members Announce Visioning Process for the Redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory

“Together for Kingsbridge” Is a Community-Driven Approach That Will Develop a Collective Framework for the Future of the Armory

Council Member Pierina Sanchez Allocates $5 Million in Capital Funding for Capital Improvements and Maintenance of the Historic Armory

BRONX, NY—New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), elected officials, and community members today announced the kickoff to a community-driven engagement process that will outline a new vision for the future redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory. The engagement process, “Together for Kingsbridge / Juntos para Kingsbridge,” will consist of a series of public workshops and engagements designed to provide information on the Armory’s current condition and future opportunity and develop a shared understanding of how this tremendous public asset can support the neighborhood and the community’s economic development priorities. As part of the plan, a community working group has been formed to guide the engagement and shape the visioning document that will serve as the decision-making foundation for future necessary public actions, including requests for proposals and approvals. The working group will be led by Council Member Pierina Sanchez and Sandra Lobo, Executive Director of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC).

“Today's announcement marks a turning point for the Kingsbridge Armory, the Bronx, and New York City," said NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball. "Together for Kingsbridge is a new open dialogue with the community that will help us understand their priorities and chart a future for the Kingsbridge Armory. We look forward to working alongside our elected officials and the community working group to create a vision for the future redevelopment of the Armory that will provide new jobs, investments, and benefits to the entire neighborhood.”

“The Kingsbridge Armory has long been a physical manifestation of the immense potential and aspirations of our community. After a history of attempts, I am honored to lead with community and elected colleagues in realizing this potential as co-chair of ‘Together for Kingsbridge.’ Today, we announce the building blocks of a successful redevelopment process for the Armory. In-depth design and engineering studies will provide the City and public with a precise estimate of the remediation work necessary and will model adaptive reuse scenarios, a robust community engagement process anchored by neighborhood leaders, community based organizations and elected officials will ensure a community priorities remain at the forefront, and finally, a $5 million capital investment from the New York City Council will serve to address the most immediate hazards facing the Armory, so that it may be opened to the public during the redevelopment process. Together, these building blocks will set us on a successful path to finally redeveloping the Kingsbridge Armory,” said Council Member Pierina Sanchez. “Through this work, we are acting on our deep commitment to realize the catalytic potential of the Kingsbridge Armory to change the economic profile of District 14, and I look forward to a community-centered vision and outcome.”

“New Yorkers from every borough deserve community spaces that will open up doors of opportunity and access,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory represents a unique chance for residents of the Bronx to envision a space that meets their needs. The Council recognized the potential of transforming the armory and invested $5 million in the city budget to fund the remediation process. I thank Council Member Sanchez for her tremendous leadership and look forward to the community-driven process that will lead to the redevelopment of this historic site.”

Co-Chaired by Council Member Sanchez and Sandra Lobo, the Kingsbridge Armory Community Working Group includes neighborhood leaders, community-based organizations, key institutions and federal and state elected officials:

• NYC Council Member Pierina Sanchez
• NYC Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson
• US Congress Member Adriano Espaillat
• NYS Senator Gustavo Rivera
• NYS Assembly Member Jose Rivera
• NYC Bronx Community Board 7
• Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition
• Kingsbridge Heights Community Center
• Gardiner Foundation
• Central Labor Council
• Local Union 79
• Kingsbridge Merchants Association
• Burnside-Jerome-Tremont Merchants Association
• Street Vendor Project
• Mekong NYC
• Dominicanos USA
• Our Lady of Angels Parish
• Morris Heights Health Center
• Lehman College
• Monroe College
• Community Education Council for NYC School District 10
• Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation
• Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative

The Working Group will play a central role in the engagement process, meeting once a month to provide guidance and feedback around engagement, participate in site tours, as well as attend and promote the public workshops.

“The NWBCCC is committed to ensuring that the redevelopment process and ultimate vision for the Kingsbridge Armory is reflective of the desires of Bronx residents and builds collective governance over and shared ownership of this incredible community asset that has the potential to be catalytic in transforming the local economy. We are excited to be co-chairing the Kingsbridge Armory community working group to help ensure that community is at the center of the development of this historic project” said Sandra Lobo, Executive Director of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition.

“The Armory is an iconic symbol of the Kingsbridge neighborhood and represents a promise yet to be fulfilled. Revitalizing the Kingsbridge Armory will continue to benefit our community for years and generations to come and is more important than ever before. With renewed leadership at every level of government and this significant investment spearheaded by Council Member Sanchez and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), we are hopeful that this historic facility can once and for all be transformed into an economic engine for Kingsbridge residents,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).

“During my time as an elected official, I have seen firsthand the desire from our community to reinvent and reimagine the Kingsbridge Armory,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “As a member of the Kingsbridge Armory Community Working Group, I am excited to be a part of this collaborative process that invites stakeholders to have a say in the future of this 520,000-square-foot facility as we attempt to transform the armory into a public space for residents and families to enjoy. I want to thank the Co-Chairs of “Together For Kingsbridge,” Council Member Pierina Sanchez, Executive Director of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition Sandra Lobo, the New York City Economic Development Cooperation, and my colleagues in government for their partnership in guiding this process forward for a facility central to the life and vitality of our borough.”

 "I am proud to join Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Council Member Pierina Sanchez, community leaders, and neighbors to kick off the "Together/ Juntos Kingsbridge" visioning and planning process. We must ensure the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory is community-led so that this emblematic asset of the Northwest Bronx finally reaches its full potential," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "I'm looking forward to collaborating with neighborhood stakeholders to make sure it's the Bronx that decides how we reimagine and transform the Kingsbridge Armory."

"Through 'Together for Kingsbridge / Juntos para Kingsbridge,' our community has an opportunity to be a part of the visioning process in the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory. And Bronx Community Board 7 will continue to amplify the voices of our community," said Karla Cabrera Carrera, Assistant District Manager, Bronx Community Board 7.

Additionally, today, Council Member Sanchez announced the allocation of $5 million in capital funding to the Kingsbridge Armory for improvements and maintenance required to keep the armory in good condition. The funds will be used to complete capital work that will help to improve the conditions of the Armory as well as allow increased community access to the space.

To ensure the local communities voice is heard throughout the engagement process, NYCEDC has hired Hester Street, an engagement consultant, to facilitate outreach with the area’s diverse population. A technical consultant team led by WXY Studio will support engagement by studying the building's condition and potential adaptive reuse scenarios.

"Hester Street is thrilled to lead community engagement for the Kingsbridge Armory visioning process, ensuring that everyone who lives or works in the Kingsbridge neighborhood has the opportunity to share their vision for a future Armory that benefits all," said Cinthia De La Rosa, Senior Project Manager at Hester Street.

The first community workshop is scheduled for Saturday, November 5 from 12 pm to 4 pm at the PS 340 Annex, across the street from the Kingsbridge Armory. For more information about the workshops or to learn more about Together for Kingsbridge / Juntos para Kingsbridge, please visit: kingsbridgetogether.com.

The Kingsbridge Armory was built in 1917, used by the United States military until 1994 and reverted to City ownership in 1996. The Armory was designated as a New York City Landmark in 1974 and placed on the National Register for Historic Places list in 1982. More recently, during the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Armory served as a temporary food distribution center and earlier in the year was used by the Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and local officials to store supplies for those impacted by the Twin Park North fire.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that creates shared prosperity across New York City by strengthening neighborhoods and creating good jobs. We work with and for communities to bring emerging industries to New York City; develop spaces and facilities for businesses; empower New Yorkers through training and skill-building; and invest in sustainable and innovative projects that make the city a great place to live and work. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.