The future of the Kingsbridge Armory is a project that has been decades in the making.
The city is expected to announce which vendor will be moving forward with redevelopment plans soon.
Ahead of that decision, Mayor Eric Adams announced the New York City Economic Development Corporation has signed a letter of intent with the Building and Construction Trades Council to negotiate Project Labor Agreements for the redevelopment of the nation's largest armory.
"It's very exciting how it is moving this time around, this is the third attempt, there has been a lot of skepticism in the community, but I think showing these little bits of momentum, the project labor agreement guaranteeing union labor, the selection of a winning team, all of that are signals that the community should receive that the mayor is serious, the governor is serious, she's put in $100 million and he's put in $100 million," said Pierina Sanchez, Councilmember of District 14.
Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition is one of the vendors vying for the bid. The community-based group has been rallying around the armory for 30 years and advocated for this agreement to be included in the plans.
"That together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan included good jobs, family sustaining jobs, supporting community ownership, and a place where Bronx residents can go for all ages," said Sandra Lobo, executive director for the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition.
"It's very exciting how it is moving this time around, this is the third attempt, there has been a lot of skepticism in the community," said District 14 Councilmember Pierina Sanchez.
"We still have a lot on our hands to make sure that the post-construction jobs are also good paying union jobs," said Sanchez.