Opinions on the upcoming Kingsbridge Armory "mall?" (White Plains: appointed, rent)

[Elvira Black]

There's been lots of talk and debate about the upcoming development of the Kingsbridge Armory. The site has been mostly empty for a decade or longer, and it's taken ages to get to the "final" point where the developer (the Related Companies) has been picked. There's been a lot of protest/controversy about this because residents/community leaders feel that some of the stores will impact/ruin local businesses, and also fear that the businesses will not pay a living wage and/or offer full time jobs with benefits for the community.

Various possible businesses have been discussed, including a multiplex theater, a community center, recreation center, a large supermarket, etc etc. I've heard that the space is bigger than Madison Square Garden...

In any case, was wondering if people think this is more of a good than bad development for the area, or vice versa.

Personally, I'd welcome less cell phone stores and at least one bookstore and movie theater.

Why say you all?

[K.O.N.Y]

IDK i just want some innovation in the bronx. I hope it doesnt turn into a mall. Its too great of a site with alot of potential. I wouldnt want to see it just be another set of generic stores

[rlrl]

to make the area more modern. the area is very run down

[Songbird42]

When I was a little girl we went to the Armory for the Circus, the Rodeo and the Flower Show.......the area back then was full of bars, Fordes Chophouse, Regans......now long gone. I have pictures of me, standing in front of the Armory taken on my First Communion Day 1954. The Armory holds many fond memories for me.....my mother worked across the street as a waitress at the then Greek restaurant on the corner of Jerome Ave. and Kingsbridge.

I heard/read that they were considering putting a school in part of the building. I myself think it would be a venue for concerts/theater. I wouldn't want dozens of stores in there, with the economic woes now, I doubt if these stores would survive for long.

[bluedog2]

I agree with all of the above.Needs to have a good mix of things going on and be vital round the clock.There are already enough "national" type retail outlets around Fordham Rd and the Concourse so it needs to be different. A multiplex cinema should be a no brainer since it's something sorely lacking everywhere in the borough.A bookstore would be great too but I am not holding my breath.I don't think anyone thinks we know how to read in The Bronx.

[Elvira Black]

I have mixed feelings about the site. I think there will probably be some generic mega stores, and I think they nixed the idea of classroom space there.

The running fight has been that community activists feel the Related Companies, as a mega developer, will just railroad the local community in terms of job opportunities (living wage, benefits.)

The Morton Williams stores are up in arms, claiming that they will be run out of business if they have a large supermarket in the Armory. As far as I'm concerned, esp since there are two Morton Williams in very close proximity to each other, the more the merrier. I like having more than one supermarket to shop at, and see no reason why it would drive them out of business.

I love Fordham Road shopping, since many of the local small stores have incredible bargains you could never find in higher rent areas. But I do notice some local businesses going under.

For some of these I say good riddance (as I mentioned, we don't need yet another cell phone store). And I've had some negative personal experiences with a few of the businesses where if you are not Latino they treat you poorly (or at least me lol). But most of them are cool.

I am concerned about the community but not as fervently as in the past, due to the fact that there are a lot of young criminals in the area (along with some good kids). As a consumer, I think I'd welcome more businesses there, but do you guys think it will "ruin" the neighborhood or "overgentrify" it or otherwise do great damage to the community?

Just don't think I'd be happy to see, like, a Walmart, but I don't think they'd dare put one of those in the city (lol), but the only bookstore in the area closed several years ago and it was a small one, probably there for aeons.

The new Kingscbridge library and the renovated parks seem like a definite step in the right direction though, so I'm looking forward to the Armory development in general.

[bmwguydc]

IIRC, the armory has over 500,000 square feet and is just under 100 years old. Any signs or alterations would surely constitute an eyesore, but a real theatre and/or arts/events center would be an asset to the cultural fabric of the city. Another mall is a waste of that building.

[NooYowkur81]

I think Morton Williams has a right to be upset. They took a risk (a risk that many were not willing to provide at the time) in setting up quality supermarkets in areas (Fordham/Kingsbridge) that usually don't have them, and now they are probably gonna lose a lot of business to some big box place. It's like they are being penalized for doing something good. I can see why they are upset. But that is part of the realities of capitalism unfortunately. I saw that they have petitions in their stores for people to sign against a big box store opening up there.

I have mixed feelings also because I would welcome a bigger variety in the types of businesses in the area as well. I sometimes get really disappointed when a new business pops up and it's something really useless like another sneaker shop, twin donut, or 99 cent store. For instance I think a movie theater is sorely needed.

[Songbird42]

The Armory was used for years, as venues for many different shows, it drew people from all over the surrounding areas of NYC. Local residents got work out of it, the local restaurants, bars had major business.

I still think that it would be great for concerts/theater......I know that Leman does shows, but the Armory is a historical landmark for the Bronx?? Putting in smaller stores, I think is a big mistake, they have to take into consideration the people in the surrounding neighborhoods, the average income of the area, if people can't afford to buy from certain stores, they won't last.

[scatman]

I don't live in that neighborhood, but anything that has widespread commercial diversity is good (in my opinion). One of the reasons why I like Parkchester.

As far as Morton Williams, I will refer to a lumber yard on White Plains Road near Morris Park Avenue. It's still in business, despite TWO Home Depots in the Borough. Doing good business will keep you afloat v. any competition.