“Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan” Follows Community-Led Process That Engaged 4,000 People Over Nine Months
Backed by $200 Million City and State Investment, Plan Outlines Community Vision for Adaptive Reuse of Kingsbridge Armory
Project Delivers on Commitment in Mayor Adams’ Economic Blueprint, Potential to Deliver Over 1,800 Jobs and Up to $10 Billion in Economic Impact
Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Andrew Kimball, and community leaders today unveiled guiding principles for the “Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan,” (also available in Spanish) 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.
"After years of dwelling on the history of the Kingsbridge Armory, we are finally looking ahead to its remarkable future," Governor Hochul said. "I know how critical the future of the Armory is to this community and to the entire borough of The Bronx, which is why I prioritized locking in $100 million in State funding that will allow this transformative project to move forward. Working with local leaders and our partners in the City of New York, the Kingsbridge Armory will anchor this neighborhood, address longstanding community needs, and boost the local economy and I anticipate a project labor agreement to create good-paying union jobs at this site as we work to bring this project to fruition."
Backed by a $200 million investment by Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, the plan will inform the release of a request for proposals next month for the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory — the largest armory in the nation — providing guidance to interested private partners on what the community and NYCEDC will look for in a future activation. The redevelopment effort — which 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 — also builds on Mayor Adams’ “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery,” which prioritized creating jobs and economic opportunities for the Bronx. The project also represents another example of close city-state collaboration outlined in the “New” New York panel’s action plan — investing in job centers with access to mass transit.
The vision plan also builds on several of Governor Hochul's key economic development priorities, including strategic investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and 21st century growth sectors to support good, high-paying jobs.
Planning efforts for the Kingsbridge Armory date back nearly three decades and include two requests for proposals that failed to advance through the City Council or obtain necessary financing. Over the last decade, the armory has served as an emergency supply and food distribution center following Hurricane Sandy, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and after the Twin Parks fire. With community buy-in and a major commitment of public funding from Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, the “Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan” represents a practical and implementable path forward to redevelop the armory, create prevailing wage and union jobs, and deliver economic opportunities for community residents.
The “Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan” is the result of an extensive, community-driven process that kicked off in November 2022 and included a series of public workshops and engagement opportunities designed to develop a shared vision for how this tremendous public asset can support the neighborhood and the community’s economic development priorities. As part of the approach, engagement was guided by a “Together for Kingsbridge” community working group of neighborhood leaders, community-based organizations, key institutions, federal and state elected officials, and others — led by co-chairs New York City Councilmember Pierina Sanchez and Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) Executive Director Sandra Lobo.
The nine-month community engagement process reached over 4,000 people and consisted of:
- More than 1,000 participants across four public workshops;
- More than 900 survey respondents;
- More than 500 community members touring the armory;
- Nine community board meetings;
- 16 small group discussions;
- Three public information sessions; and
- Feedback from more than 75 industry stakeholders on the armory’s potential.
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.
The Kingsbridge Armory opened in 1917 and was used by the United States military until 1994 before reverting 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, early last year, was used by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and local officials to store supplies for those impacted by the Twin Park North fire.
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