Central to the battle over the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment is the demand by community organizations that retailers pay their workers a "living wage" at the revamped facility. The developer of project, The Related Companies said requiring Armory tenants to pay $10 an hour, plus benefits wouldn't be fair. Job advocates say that's simply not the case.

Throughout the course of the loud, often contentious, four-hour hearing, however, some 600 people showed up (many were prevented from entering), and at least 45 spoke. The hearing represented the last opportunity for community residents, advocates and stakeholders to address the community board before its 30-plus volunteer members vote on whether or not to support the project on July 14.

Years of arguments about the use of the Kingsbridge Armory have finally resulted in some form of peace. Based on a suggestion by the local community board, The Related Companies, the developer for the Armory, revealed plans to include a World Peace Atrium as part of its proposal to build a retail mall inside the colossal building.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. is working behind closed doors with Community Board 7 and the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) to create a Community Benefits Agreement with the developer, The Related Companies.

All the vital facts about the Kingsbridge Armory project.

Members of Community Board 7 will be the first to officially weigh in on The Related Companies' "Shops at the Armory" redevelopment proposal on July 14. Board chair Greg Faulkner told the Norwood News on the eve of a June 24 public hearing that he expects the board to vote "yes" on the proposal, despite the fact that a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) may not be in place before the vote.

On June 24, Community Board 7 held a public hearing on the Related Companies' application to develop the Kingsbridge Armory. This has been a long time coming. If done well, this project will become an engine to revitalize the community; helping northwest Bronx residents succeed for generations to come, with new schools, recreation and community space, new shops which do not drive out existing neighborhood business, and the creation of good jobs for local residents.

Sadly, Related's application for the sale and rezoning of the Armory falls far short of these goals.

Community groups and new Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. are combining forces to negotiate an agreement that would provide additional community benefits from the coming redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Amory.

If successful, the collaboration between the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA), Community Board 7 and the borough president's office, could become a new model for large-scale development projects in New York City.

I strongly disagree with the headline of your April 30 edition, "Living Wage Hopes for Armory Dashed." My hopes are not dashed at all. The article states that Jesse Masyr, a lawyer for the Related Companies, "put an end to any hopes of securing living wage jobs, saying that if all they were looking for in a benefits agreement was living wage jobs, he could put an end to the discussion right there. The answer would be no."