While the defeat of the Related Companies’ proposal to build a giant shopping mall at the Kingsbridge Armory was not a final victory by any means for community residents, it was a victory nonetheless.

It was a victory for local residents who went to years of meetings, rallies and planning sessions and laid out their vision for a redeveloped Armory that addressed community needs like schools, recreation and community programs. Now they, and anyone else who wants to get involved, have a chance to see their collective vision realized. It’s important to remember that there would have been no new roof on the Armory, no request for proposals, and no City Council vote at all were it not for more than 16 years of local efforts to put the Armory on the radar screen of City Hall. Participation matters.

It was a victory for the political process and community organizing. Faced with a strong local coalition of residents and community leaders, Bronx politicians were encouraged and emboldened to take up this  cause and bring it across the finish line. We hope this sets a precedent for the Bronx delegation whose unity convinced every other borough’s delegation to join them. 

It was a victory for residents in every borough who want their voices heard in the planning of their communities. Though the city’s land use review process does not prioritize the views of the neighborhoods most affected, concerned citizens now know it’s not impossible to fight City Hall.

It was a victory for workers citywide who may soon see a boost in their incomes if Bronx Council members follow through on their promise to introduce legislation to require a living wage at projects subsidized by taxpayers.

It was a victory for the Bronx which has set the tone for development in Mayor Bloomberg’s third term. Stadiums and cookie-cutter malls can’t be the only tools in the economic development tool kit. 

We understand the frustration of some who worry that the Armory will stay vacant for a long time. But in addition to the far-reaching community and economic development implications, we agree with Council Member Tony Avella of Queens who said, “If we’re gonna do it, why not do it right?”

And there’s one aspect of this project we probably can all agree on. Public schools, part of the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance’s original vision, must be built on the Armory grounds. District 10 is still incredibly overcrowded and the National Guard units in the non-landmarked buildings to the rear of the Armory still need to be relocated to make room for classrooms. This does not have to wait for the full redevelopment of the Armory itself.

Ronn Jordan, a University Heights resident, who has been active since the beginning of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition’s Armory campaign, got involved because of how the overcrowding crisis affected his kids. Christopher, his son, was not even in kindergarten then. He’s 18 now.

Let’s get to work.