The envisioning process to decide on the future use of the Kingsbridge Armory, located at Jerome Avenue in Kingsbridge Heights, is continuing, and follows previous updates on the project. Envisioning workshops took place on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, and again on Saturday, Jan. 21, but those involved with the “Together for Kingsbridge” working group as still anxious to hear from more community members about their ideas.

 

District 14 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez gave an overview of the project during Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7)’s general board meeting on Jan. 24, adding that at the Jan. 21 workshop, several hundred people were in attendance, and the school safety agents were even telling her they had to stop letting people in for safety reasons.

“I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who was able to join because it really helps us, the elected officials, have a stronger leg to stand on when we advocate for funding,” Sanchez said.

 

The “Together for Kingsbridge / Juntos Para Kingsbridge” working group, together with NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC), have been asking the public to submit their ideas of what they would like to see in place in the armory for several months now, since the controversial Kingsbridge National Ice Center project was abandoned, as previously reported.

The group is particularly interested in hearing from young people on what they envision for the City-owned historical site and the types of “good jobs” they hope to see emerge from the project. Some potential options, like schools, are not on the cards since the site is somewhat limited due to its protected status as a historical landmark. EDC held an explanatory session on these restrictions in mid-January, and this will be covered in the near future.

 

During the latest envisioning session, Mambo and Latin jazz musician, Tito Puente Jr., spoke about the importance of participating in the event and said he looked forward to working with everyone to bring entertainment, workshops, and classes to the armory, not only for children but also for adults.

Meanwhile, Willy Rodriguez, co-founder and executive director of The Bronx’s planned International Salsa Museum, still wants to house the museum in the armory. Some others voiced their impatience with so many meetings being held on the topic, adding that they were eager for more action and less talking.

 

Summing up the latest session and the high numbers in attendance, Sanchez said, “This is what the committee wants to see. We discussed redevelopment scenarios for other armories in the City, other redevelopment projects in the country that we could learn from.”

The councilwoman concluded, saying there would be recaps provided from the first sessions, two more workshops, and eventually a presentation of the community’s vision for the armory in a final document due to be presented in the next month or so.