Redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory presents a significant historical chance for The Bronx, as per an opinion piece.
Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment: A Transformative Community-Driven Project
The Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx is set to undergo a significant redevelopment, marking a once-in-a-generation opportunity for transformative, community-driven economic investment. The mixed-use development, led by 8th Regiment Partners, promises to create over 3,400 jobs, including approximately 2,800 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs.
At the heart of the redevelopment plan is a commitment to prioritizing the needs of the local community, particularly the youth. Dedicated space within the Armory will be reserved for youth-serving organizations offering academic enrichment, mentorship, career exploration, arts education, and mental health services. Programming will reflect the diversity of the borough, engaging young people in meaningful ways, including mural and media arts, sports, STEM, and civic engagement.
Sustainability and climate justice are key considerations in the redevelopment. The building will be constructed to LEED Gold standards, ensuring high environmental performance. However, stakeholders recognize that sustainability efforts can be strengthened, particularly in prioritizing climate justice. This focus is critical, given the Bronx's high asthma rates, and the project aims to reduce environmental health risks for local residents.
The redevelopment also includes agreements with local community organizations like the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition to foster community ownership and long-term benefits. This collaboration will create spaces for community institutions and affordable manufacturing for displaced Bronx businesses. These socio-economic measures tie into climate justice by promoting local economic resilience and inclusive development.
Adaptive reuse of the historic Kingsbridge Armory, as opposed to new construction, is a key sustainability strategy. Repurposing the existing 517,000-square-foot militia armory building conserves embodied energy and reduces resource consumption and construction waste.
Mitigating air pollution during construction and long-term operations is a top priority, given the high asthma rates in the Bronx. The project also includes a labor peace agreement, ensuring construction workers' rights are protected.
The redevelopment process began in 2022 with the launch of the "Together for Kingsbridge/Juntos para Kingsbridge" initiative. Partnerships with local schools and youth-led organizations will ensure that programming is accessible, relevant, and sustained. A second phase of the development will include 500 units of affordable housing.
As the transformative redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory approaches, it is crucial that we build on our momentum to ensure that our community-led vision for this long-vacant space is brought to fruition. The Northwest Bronx is undergoing a massive redevelopment project, and this redevelopment of the Armory is set to be a significant part of that transformation.
| Sustainability Measures | Climate Justice Initiatives | |--------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | LEED Gold certification for new construction | Mitigation of air pollution to reduce asthma and respiratory risks | | Adaptive reuse of the historic armory | Collaboration with community groups for ownership and affordable space | | Reducing construction waste and new material use | Job creation focusing on Bronx residents and youth training programs | | Inclusion of affordable manufacturing and community spaces | Labor peace agreement to protect construction workers' rights |
[1] Together for Kingsbridge/Juntos para Kingsbridge. (2022). Retrieved from https://togetherforkingsbridge.nyc/ [2] Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.nwbccc.org/
- The redevelopment includes a focus on sustainability measures, with the new construction adhering to LEED Gold standards, adaptive reuse of the historic armory, and efforts to reduce construction waste and new material use.
- Climate justice initiatives are also prioritized in the redevelopment, as demonstrated by the mitigation of air pollution, job creation focusing on Bronx residents and youth training programs, collaboration with community groups for ownership and affordable space, and a labor peace agreement to protect construction workers' rights.
