Since coming to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in 2005, I have been an active member of the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA), working to make sure that any commercial development of the Armory meets our community's needs. I do this because I support the principles that KARA espouses, particularly the one that has to do with a living wage. If there is going to be commercial development of the Armory, I want the people who work there to earn a living wage and have the freedom to unionize without fear.

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.

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.