City Begins Review on Kingsbridge MXD

NEW YORK CITY-The redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx into a $310-million mixed-use complex, in discussion for several years, has moved closer to reality with the beginning of the project’s seven-month progress through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. City documents indicate that the Department of City Planning has initiated a review of Related Cos.’ applications to construct a 575,000-square-foot mixed-use facility within the 92-year-old building at 28 W. Kingsbridge Rd. Public hearings and a rezoning will be part of the ULURP process.

Related’s concept for the landmark armory, known as the Shops at the Armory, calls for destination anchor retail development, coupled with specialty and local retail, restaurants, a cinema and community space, according to the New York City Economic Development Corp., which selected Related for the project in April 2008. Other proposed features include a recreational facility, catering and banquet space, outdoor open space with a seasonal farmers’ market and café and parking for 400 cars. The project is expected to create 1,200 permanent jobs and more than 1,000 construction jobs.

In a statement, Mayor Michael Bloomberg calls the armory “one of the city’s historical treasures, but it has been long underutilized. After years of hard work and community involvement, we are now moving forward with a plan to bring the Armory back to life and bring new jobs and shopping opportunities to Bronx residents.”