New York, NY: On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, NYC Council Member Pierina Sanchez, and the City Council, celebrated the NYC Council’s vote to approve a transformational redevelopment proposal and  500 units of affordable housing for the Kingsbridge Armory and neighborhood — one that is equitable, aligned with local needs, and accountable to the community for current and future generations to come.

Today’s vote was grounded in $215 million in public investments committed in the onset of this process, a historic Community Benefits Agreement valued at $130 million between the selected developer and more than 30 local organizations—including a first source hiring policy that requires an exclusive 30-day hiring period for Bronxites, and robust enforcement mechanisms—and an estimated $30M of additional neighborhood investment from the City of New York.

BACKGROUND 

After 30 years of vacancy and multiple failed redevelopment attempts, the NYC Council has voted to advance the proposed plan set forth by New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), 8th Regiment Partners, and the Northwest Bronx Community Clergy Coalition—backed by more than $375 million in city, state, federal and private funding. 

Building upon decades of community organizing, the transformative effort began in 2022, when the Community Working Group—composed of local businesses, organizations, leaders, and elected officials—engaged more than 4,000 community members through 20 public events and 900 survey responses over nine months. Their efforts culminated in the creation of the Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan. This north star made the community’s goals clear: prioritize youth, uplift older adults, foster intergenerational relationships, create jobs and wealth for local workers, grow a regenerative, Bronx-centered economy, and maximize community ownership. 

“For me, today’s vote is deeply personal. Having grown up in the shadows of the Kingsbridge Armory, I know what this structure represents: the immense potential of our community, decades of disinvestment, and now the promise of a better future for our people and the Bronx,” said NYC Council Member Pierina Sanchez, District 14. “From the start, I have been deeply involved in ensuring this process was community-driven—facilitating countless discussions and convenings among elected officials, city agencies, the developer, and a broad range of local stakeholders; providing testimony at every hearing throughout the public review process; and ensuring that our community’s priorities remained at the center all the way through to the final vote,” she continued. “Too often, communities like ours are left behind. A redevelopment project of this scale is exceedingly rare in my district; so when the opportunity arises, it is critical that we stay true to what our people have long been asking for—and deserve. Together, we have won a project that will deliver what I know is possible in the West Bronx: a future on our terms. I could not be more proud.” 

HISTORY

From serving as a training facility for soldiers during the World Wars, to being a key site for Hip Hop culture since the 1970s, to its role as a rapid response center at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bronxites have always known the incredible potential of the Kingsbridge Armory.

The Amory’s beginnings date back to 1786, with a lineage of units from the New York State militia’s 8th Regiment. Flash forward to its designation as a city landmark in 1974, and the Amory began to transition from its role as an operations base for the U.S. military and become a beacon of hope for its neighboring community. The Armory briefly became a homeless shelter in the 1980s, beginning to make a direct impact and answer the needs of the community. Themes of community engagement would follow, as redevelopment plans would be introduced in the 1990s. After decades of ideas, plans, and support from Kingsbridge neighbors, community groups, and elected officials, today, the NYC Council has voted for a transformative proposal to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory.

“Today’s approval from the New York City Council is a significant step forward in the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory, paving the way for the tremendous positive impact this project will have on residents who call the Bronx home,” said Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “I am appreciative to Councilmember Sanchez and commend all elected officials involved in the project for their collective efforts to support the restoration of this iconic landmark. I look forward to the future benefits and opportunities it will bring to the community and overall to the city of New York.”

“This is a historic day for the community-led development, community ownership, and the future of the Kingsbridge Armory. I want to thank Councilmember Pierina Sanchez for fighting for everything our borough deserves and winning more than what we’re used to getting. Thank you to our community members for fighting for an Armory by us and for us and to the Northwest Bronx Community Clergy Coalition for holding all of us accountable to ensure that what’s built in the Armory belongs to us. The new developer 8th Regiment Partners LLC has a mandate after showing every other developer that community-centered projects are feasible. Because of my fellow community leaders, the next generation of Bronxites won’t experience a vacant castle but a vibrant space,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

“The Kingsbridge Armory has long stood as a monument to both our borough’s resilience and its neglect — a fortress of possibility waiting to be reclaimed by the people it was built to serve. Today’s vote transforms that possibility into purpose. This is what community-led development looks like when government listens, collaborates, and legislates with equity at its core. Bronx voices shaped this vision, and Bronx hands will build its future — not for profit’s sake, but for the promise of shared prosperity,” said State Senator Robert Jackson 

“The Council is proud to have approved the redevelopment of Kingsbridge Armory, so the historic site can better serve the Bronx community for generations to come,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “The redevelopment will bring 500 permanently affordable homes and new opportunities to the Bronx, including a community facility and cultural space, office space, and a 17,000-person live event venue. I applaud Council Member Pierina Sanchez for her leadership to break through the decades-long challenges to redevelop this site and deliver major investments for the Bronx.”

“The Kingsbridge Armory has long stood as a symbol of untapped potential in our borough. This redevelopment finally turns that potential into opportunity – driven by community input from more than 4,000 Bronx residents to ensure good jobs, affordable housing, youth programs, and small-business growth are at its core. We secured commitments to local hiring, union wages, and protections for long-standing small businesses – because redevelopment that uplifts, not displaces, is true progress,” said Majority Leader Amanda Farías. “This would not have been possible without the steadfast leadership of Council Member Pierina Sánchez. I’m proud to have worked alongside her as Chair to make this a success for the Bronx, and I look forward to seeing this project deliver for our community for generations to come.”

“I am proud to join my Council colleagues in voting YES to transform the Kingsbridge Armory into a state-of-the-art hub, with over 25,000 square feet dedicated to serving the Kingsbridge community. This redevelopment will create new opportunities for residents to access business, entertainment, housing, and community resources. By bringing more people to the Bronx, activating commercial and event spaces, and supporting local businesses, the project is critical to driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening the borough as a center for commerce and culture. I look forward to seeing this project completed over the next seven years, and I want to congratulate Council Member Sanchez for championing this effort, as well as my Bronx Delegation colleagues and Borough President Gibson for uniting to fight for the betterment of our borough,” said NYC Council Member Eric Dinowitz.

“With the reimagining of the Kingsbridge Armory, we will see affordable housing opportunities, good-paying union jobs with pathways to the middle class, recreational space for youth and families, support for small businesses, and a true commitment to equitable economic development in the Bronx that we have not seen for decades,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Thank you to NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Majority Leader Amanda Farías, Council Member Pierina Sanchez, the members of the Bronx Delegation, and the entire New York City Council for today’s vote to move this transformative plan forward. I also want to express my gratitude to Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, 8th Regiment Partners, and the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition for their partnership and continued support in advancing this historic project. The redevelopment of this landmark in the heart of the Northwest Bronx stands as a testament to our shared commitment to driving unprecedented investment back into our borough, while fulfilling the blueprint outlined in the Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan.”

ACHIEVEMENTS 

The proposal approved today by the NYC Council will deliver $375 million in investments in the West Bronx from the city, state, and federal level, including a historic $130 community benefits agreement rooted in community ownership, a robust programmatic plan for El Community Kingsbridge, and a continued robust community engagement process that will continue into implementation. 

DETAILS ON $375M IN INVESTMENTS, $2.6B ECONOMIC IMPACT 

I. Public Investment in the West Bronx ($245M+) 

  • $100M in Armory capital from Governor Hochul
  • $100M in Armory capital from the Administration
  • $12M in Armory capital from the City Council
  • $3M in Armory capital from the Borough President Gibson
  • $7M for St James Park
  • $2.5M for Small Business Support Fund (Kingsbridge + Jerome corridors), along with SBS targeted support in neighborhood
  • $400K for Kingsbridge Economic Mobility Network (local workforce development)
  • $200k for expanded Saturday Night Lights in new schools
  • New seats through the Mayor’s Universal After School valued at $2.5M
  • Community Safety planning process that will identify future investments
  • Tenant Organizing supported in CB5 + CB7 through 2035
  • Homeownership Support through annual resource fairs, targeted outreach in partnership with local CBOs through 2028
  • Community Oversight through a 15-seat Community Council made up of faith, cultural, small business, labor, youth, and other local stakeholders

II. Historic Community Benefits Agreement ($130M+)

  • Local Procurement, with a goal of at least 50% procured from local businesses
  • Local Hiring, with a “First Source” policy that will ensure robust employment opportunities for local residents
  • Quality Jobs, with living wage requirements for applicable employers, goal of reaching 40% full-time employees
  • Union Labor for Phase I construction and building operations
  • Exceptional Environmental Standards, including an all-electric design, rooftop solar, stormwater prevention, air quality monitoring, and regular reporting on the building’s energy matrix
  • Street Vending Support, including street design sensitive to existing vendors and business opportunities for street vendors in Armory programming and events
  • Local Arts and Culture, including installations that highlight the Bronx’s unique cultural heritage and concerts that feature Bronx-based artists
  • $250K and ongoing fundraising for a Community Benefit Fund to support pre-apprenticeship programs, local hiring, local procurement, paid internship, paid residency, staffing support for the Community Council
  • 1% gross revenue sharing for community ownership and wealth-building initiatives
  • $55.5M value of below-market rent and fit-out of Light Manufacturing Space
  • $36.7M value of below-market rent and fit-out of Community Hub
  • $27.9M value of below-market rents for Phase II commercial space
  • $17M for outdoor public space and ongoing maintenance
  • Two full-time employees to lead local hiring and job quality commitments
  • Up to 25 Bronx graduations per year, at minimal cost
  • 12 community events per year, at minimal cost
  • Free and discounted tickets for live event venue for Bronx residents
  • Free and discounted access to the athletic facilities
  • Community Oversight through a 15-seat Community Council made up of faith, cultural, small biz, labor, youth, and other local stakeholders

III. El Centro Kingsbridge Project Details

PHASE I 

  • LIVE EVENTS VENUE: 17,000-person capacity for concerts, graduations, other events
  • ENTERTAINMENT / ARCADE: youth sports, e-sports to be managed by established operators
  • COMMUNITY FACILITY: 95,000sf community facility and cultural uses
  • COMMERCIAL OFFICES: 31,00sf
  • LIGHT MANUFACTURING: 100,00sf of below-market space to incubate small-scale manufacturing businesses in the Bronx
  • ARMORY LOADING / PARKING: 250 parking spaces and loading areas
  • OPEN SPACE: 65,000sf of new public open space

PHASE II

  • AFFORDABLE HOUSING: 450-500 affordable apartments, with goal of 50% 2- and 3-bedroom
  • GROUND FLOOR RETAIL: 20,000sf of below-market commercial space
  • PARKING: 80 spaces
  • Jobs: approximately 3,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent jobs
  • More in attachment 3 here 

IV. Robust Community Engagement 

  • 4,000 Bronxites engaged 
  • 13 hours of public workshops 
  • 40+ organizations engaged in community benefits process 
  • 6 Public hearings hosted by CB 7, Bronx BP, CPC, LPC, City Council 

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POINTS OF AGREEMENT

Full Community Benefits Here

FULL COUNCIL MEMBER SANCHEZ REMARKS

Good afternoon, everyone.

First — Maria, Ben, Kim, Gerard, Brenda, Stephanie, Dylan, Karla — your are an incredible team that has been by my side every step of the way

Speaker Adrienne Adams – from before we were elected, my colleagues in the Bronx, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Representative Adriano Espaillat, Senators Robert Jackson and Gustavo Rivera, and Assembly Member George Alvarez — thank you for ensuring hindsight was 2020 here, no repeat of past mistakes.

To Sandra Lobo and the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, to the nearly 50 community organizations, parents, cultural leaders, and faith partners who sat at the negotiating table, to the team at 8th Regiment Partners, and to the Mayor & his team— thank you.

Today’s vote is deeply personal. I grew up in the shadows of the Kingsbridge Armory — the size of 6 football stadiums, this building has long reflected both the immense potential of our community and the pain of decades of disinvestment. After thirty years of vacancy and four years of tireless work, we are finally transforming that potential into promise — with a historic $375 million in public and private investment, a nearly projected $3 billion in economic impact, and 500 units of affordable housing, that will shape the future of the Bronx for generations to come.

This project delivers a $130 million Community Benefits Agreement — one of the largest in city history — guaranteeing local hiring, union jobs, support for small businesses, cultural programming, and real community oversight. It also brings new public investments: funding for our small business corridors, St. James Park renovations, community safety initiatives, and expanded after-school programming for hundreds of children across the West Bronx – 75% of who live below the federal poverty line & in low income homes. This is a blueprint for equitable development, accountability, and opportunity — made by and for the people of this community.

But on a more somber note:

I dedicate today’s win to one-year-old Nicholas Feliz Dominici, who lost his life following fentanyl exposure at daycare, and to Pamela Almonte, a beautiful 35 year old neighbor killed just three days ago in front of this very Armory.

To all the lives stolen by violence and neglect: We owe this to you, to your families, and to every Bronx parent and child who deserves a safe, thriving neighborhood. This investment is for you.

To my husband DJ Dr. Dirty Dev, our two beautiful babies – Yaya and Lalo — both born during this fight — and to my parents & family, who taught me the meaning of hard work and love for community: you are my heart and my why.

Today, we have proven that possibility doesn’t just exist — it is created — by our collective hopes, our shared struggle, and our dreams for the future.

Our commitment doesn’t end here — now, we see this project through.

Thank you.