Yet another developer in New York City is asking for millions of dollars in tax exemptions. On March 5, the Related Companies will ask the New York City Industrial Development Agency (IDA) for a huge tax break to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory. The company is actively refusing to negotiate with the Bronx community and guarantee basic outcomes, such as good, living wage jobs for local residents, vital community space and quality retail shopping opportunities.

The Bronx is one of the poorest urban counties in the entire country. Even before the current economic crisis began, our community has long suffered from the ills of working poverty – lack of safe and affordable housing, quality education, access to good jobs and vibrant community spaces. Like other communities around the country, we are looking for every possible opportunity on the horizon to ease the economic hardships we are all facing and improve the quality of life in our neighborhood. And the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory could be one of those opportunities.

After a decade of community pressure from the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC), the Related Companies intends to develop the Armory as a destination retail center. Revitalizing this historic neighborhood landmark is a truly exciting opportunity – but only if it’s done with an eye on the needs of our community. A legally binding Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is the only way we can guarantee that our needs as a community are met.

Community Benefits Agreements have been negotiated in cities around the country with developers receiving tax dollars and tax exemptions to help underwrite their projects. These agreements have helped developers build profitable projects while guaranteeing good jobs that pay living wages and provide health care, and create community spaces and affordable housing.

Our community will live with the results of this development for years to come, and as leaders in the Bronx, we are taking this reality very seriously. The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) is a coalition of community-based organizations, labor unions, small businesses and churches that have a vision of the Kingsbridge Armory as a place where we can gather to socialize, work and prosper. KARA has a seven-point plan to achieve this goal, which includes permanent living wage jobs for local residents, the right to union representation and affordable recreational facilities and vibrant community spaces.

At the hearing on March 5, members of the IDA will discuss Related Companies’ application for more than $13 million in tax exemptions for the Armory project. We believe that these tax exemptions should be considered only if the Related Companies sits down with our coalition to negotiate community benefits for the Bronx. Our elected officials should also support our call for a Community Benefits Agreement in exchange for any tax breaks.

We cannot simply let the Armory be development as usual; this project should enhance our community and accomplish more than generating a profit. This is not simply about redeveloping an old building; this is about developing desperately needed economic opportunities for our neighborhood. We must seize this opportunity to negotiate a Community Benefits Agreement and create good, living wage jobs for local residents and essential community space for the Bronx.

-By Rev. Tom Lynch, Rev. Katrina Foster and Rev. Tobias Haller

Revs. Tom Lynch, Katrina Foster and Tobias Haller are members of KARA and pastors of Our Lady of Angels Church, Fordham Lutheran Church, and St. James Episcopal Church respectively.