by David Cruz 

Following a report by the Norwood News that revealed impending rent hikes for brick and mortar merchants near the Kingsbridge Armory, the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance will meet with residents to address the latest concerns.

The town hall-style meeting at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Fordham/Kingsbridge on July 24 is the first for the grassroots group since it hammered out a Community Benefits Agreement that guarantees living wage jobs for folks who would work at the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. The CBA, considered a legal contract, is not yet active until the nine ice skating rink and 5,000-seat arena is built inside the iconic landmark.

Residents are encouraged to come to the meeting to bounce ideas around over the latest development, which saw over a dozen stores across the street from the Armory get slapped with double the rent come August. The establishments, including a diner, barber shop, grocery store, and herbal medicine shop were handed notices by the new management office warning them of the rent hike. Established merchants took that as a form of eviction, and an early sign of burgeoning gentrification to the area.

The City Council cleared the project to be built in December, though movement on the project has stalled some following an internal feud between Kevin Parker and three former associates. The two sides are currently battling out their differences in court, though the city Economic Development Corporation doesn’t see the suits as a threat to the project.

The meeting is on Thursday, July 24 at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church. It runs from 6 – 8 p.m.