REMARKS
Council Member Sanchez's statement on Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment
0:04:19
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144 sec
Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez provides an overview of the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment project, emphasizing its historical significance, community engagement process, and the importance of the current resolution for securing funding. She expresses strong support for the $2 million grant application to New York State, highlighting it as a crucial step towards financial viability for the project.
- The armory has been vacant for over 25 years and represents 500,000 square feet of development potential
- A community vision plan was created through extensive engagement, reaching over 4,000 Bronx residents
- The current vote is not a land use action, but a resolution to pursue state funding for future development
Pierina Ana Sanchez
0:04:19
Thank you so much, chair Riley, and good morning, everyone.
0:04:23
Council member Sanchez, and I represent the Kingsbridge Armoury, and just wanted to to share these these points.
0:04:29
The Kingsbridge Armoury has been functionally vacant for over 25 years.
0:04:34
We have over 500,000 square feet of pure potential in the space built in 1917.
0:04:40
It's been used over the years as a military hub.
0:04:43
Imagine 10,000 soldiers there at the height of World War 2.
0:04:46
It's been used as a concert venue.
0:04:48
It was used as a food distribution hub during COVID 19, and the list goes on.
0:04:53
It is said to be the largest armory in the world.
0:04:57
The Kingsbridge armory represents the vast potential of our community.
0:05:01
With EDC and our community working group, right when I took office, we led a 9 month community engagement process that reached over 4,000 Bronx sites and culminated in a community vision plan in December of 2023.
0:05:13
Throughout this year, 2024, EDC has been reviewing responses to its RFP and is still in the process of selecting a developer development team.
0:05:23
Today's resolution is about setting up any future effort for financial success.
0:05:29
I wanna be clear that today's vote is not a determination of any land use action for the armory's future development.
0:05:35
It is simply a vote on a resolution that will allow EDC to pursue a $2,000,000 grant from New York State.
0:05:42
I fully support this effort to make any future project financially sound and hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting following, following, us hearing from EDC.
0:05:53
While we do not yet know what the project we will will be, we do know that past development attempts at the armory, of which there have been 2, have failed because they did not have adequate financing.
0:06:05
I remain committed to and welcome any any and all of my colleagues to support so that we can do everything possible to promote the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge armory that comports with the community's vision plan.
0:06:17
The community said we need to prioritize youth, welcome older adults, foster intergenerational relationships, create jobs and wealth for existing workers in the community, grow a regenerative local economy, put the Bronx on the map, and maximize community ownership.
0:06:33
So that's there you have it.
0:06:35
Look forward to hearing from EDC on their the status of the project today and, hope for all of my colleagues' support.
0:06:42
Thank you so much, chair.
Kevin C. Riley
0:06:43
Thank you, council member Sanchez.
