NEW YORK CITY-After the city vowed to revamp efforts to revitalize the historic Kingsbridge Armory site in the Bronx, several interested developers are already considering to throw their hats in the ring. According to Crain’s New York Business, companies like publicly-traded REIT Vornado Realty Trust and film company Silvercup Studios toured the 575,000-square-foot redevelopment site during a tour hosted by the New York City Economic Development Corp last Thursday.

Following Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s “State of the City” address last month, the NYCEDC issued a request for proposals seeking a new developer for the armory. At the same time, the redevelopment of the property has a long history of political controversy.

In 2009, the City Council voted against a $310 million mixed-use plan by Related Cos. for the site, due to the developer’s refusal to guarantee living wages for workers at the facility. Commercial real estate and construction groups largely favored the Related project, while local residents and borough officials said the plan “only ensures profits for the developer while leaving residents in poverty.”