After learning that Kingsbridge Armory plans include a new supermarket, Avi Kaner, owner of Morton Williams, threatened to close both of his Bronx stores. Both stores, still called "Associated" by most neighborhood residents, are located on Jerome Avenue. The closing of these two stores would be a community disaster.

The Kingsbridge Armory's designated developer, The Related Companies, made plans to include 60,000 square feet of space for a big box supermarket, such as a Costco or Pathmark. Morton Williams, a Bronx-based supermarket chain with a store directly across from the Armory, says a giant supermarket would force them to shut both its stores in the borough

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. has made it clear that he plans to do things differently when it comes to large development projects in the borough.

"I thought that we shortchanged ourselves … in terms of community benefits agreements," Diaz said in an interview with the Norwood News shortly before his election in April, referring to the Gateway Mall and Yankee Stadium pacts. "I think we could have done better."

Diaz now faces a very early test of his leadership, thanks to the Kingsbridge Armory project, which the Related Companies will turn into The Shops at the Armory if it can successfully navigate the land use review now under way. He can either fall prey to the hostage mentality that afflicts most elected officials, who fall for corporate threats to flee and avoid the borough. or he can set a tone at the outset of his tenure that, while the Bronx is open for business, it is no longer going to be taken to the cleaners.

The model for what not to do lies just down the road at Gateway, another Related project, where former Borough President Adolfo Carrion presided over a sham community involvement process that resulted in few benefits for Bronxites.

And while we'll refrain from ranting about Yankee Stadium, suffice it to say that promised replacement parkland is years away.

This is a tremendous opportunity for the borough president to preside over the crafting of a real community benefits agreement - one that is actually negotiated with local stakeholders in the room - that secures actual and long-lasting benefits and sets the tone for future development during Diaz's tenure.

After learning that Kingsbridge Armory plans include a new supermarket, Avi Kaner, owner of Morton Williams, threatened to close both of his Bronx stores. Both stores, still called "Associated" by most neighborhood residents, are located on Jerome Avenue. The closing of these two stores would be a community disaster.

The Kingsbridge Armory's designated developer, The Related Companies, made plans to include 60,000 square feet of space for a big box supermarket, such as a Costco or Pathmark. Morton Williams, a Bronx-based supermarket chain with a store directly across from the Armory, says a giant supermarket would force them to shut both its stores in the borough

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.

Hopes faded last week that a revamped Kingsbridge Armory will bring well-paying jobs to one of the poorest neighborhoods in the Bronx.

During a closed-door meeting at the offices of Community Board 7 in Bedford Park, Jesse Masyr, a lawyer for the Armory's designated developer, the Related Companies, told community representatives that the project would not go forward with guarantees for living wage jobs - $10 and hour, plus benefits, as defined by the City Council.

Last week, we tried to cover a meeting of the Kingsbridge Armory Task Force, held at the office of Community Board 7. We were told that the state Open Meetings Law did not apply because the task force only makes recommendations and is not an official government body.

This is technically correct and we also understand that people sometimes feel more comfortable offering unvarnished opinions if they can do so without the press in the room.

The problem is that, too often, decisions get made in advance at these kinds of things without public scrutiny or even awareness. Then the formal "public review process" becomes a sham, a lesson in theater or both.

We hesitate to bring up disagreeable memories, but are compelled to do so by an overwhelming desire not to see history repeated.