Mayor Eric Adams, Governor Kathy Hochul, and President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) Andrew Kimball, along with community leaders, recently unveiled the guiding principles of the Vision “Together for Kingsbridge” plan. This plan outlines the next steps in the process of remodeling the historic and underutilized Kingsbridge Armory and creating new economic opportunities in the Bronx. The plan is based on community priorities and focuses on creating local jobs that support families and improving the quality of life for residents of Kingsbridge Heights and neighboring communities. The Kingsbridge Armory's planning efforts have been ongoing for nearly three decades, with two requests for proposals that were not approved by the City Council or obtained the necessary funding.
In recent years, it has served as an emergency food supply and distribution center after Hurricane Sandy, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and after the Twin Parks fire. With a significant public funding commitment from Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul, the “Together for Kingsbridge Vision” plan is a practical and implementable path to rebuild the armory, create prevailing wage and union jobs, and provide economic opportunities for community residents. The Y community is united to promote equity for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality and ability. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) encourages its team members to participate in community service projects to foster a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by underserved communities.
The recent report by the Project on the Social Impact of the Arts (SIAP) offers compelling arguments in favor of greater equity in cultural funding. The “Vision Together for Kingsbridge Plan” is an excellent way for city and state officials to consider the valuable opinions and concerns of Bronx residents who will be most directly affected by this project. CreateNYC's main goal is to promote a more inclusive and equitable cultural ecosystem in New York City. Mayor Adams delivered his State of the City address at Judge Sonia Sotomayor's Community Center and Homes in the Bronx, where he outlined his vision of investing in city workers, expanding entrepreneurship opportunities, prioritizing affordable housing, and improving neighborhood health and safety.
Dennis Bloomberg was appointed as New York State's designated supervisor of the East Ramapo School District in Rockland County to initiate a series of reforms to ensure equitable provision of services and opportunities to students in the district. The highway that crosses the Bronx has divided Bronx communities since its construction in 1948. Mayor Adams proposed a project to cover parts of this highway to reconnect neighborhoods and increase open spaces. This project has potential to generate billions in economic impact for the city while creating more than 1,800 good jobs right here in the Bronx. The “Together for Kingsbridge Vision” plan is an important step towards creating an inclusive environment in New York City's Bronx borough.
This plan will help bridge divides between communities by providing economic opportunities through job creation, improved quality of life through increased access to open spaces, and equitable provision of services through reforms initiated by Dennis Bloomberg. Mayor Adams' commitment to investing in city workers, expanding entrepreneurship opportunities, prioritizing affordable housing, and improving neighborhood health and safety will help ensure that all Bronx residents benefit from this project.
