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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.