Bloomberg's State of the City address

Bloomberg at the State of the City.

Below is the full text of Mayor Bloomberg's State of the City address, given today at Morris High School in the Bronx.

Before that, here is some of what he said about the Bronx:

"Here in the Bronx, the first wave of 2,000 construction workers will break ground on New York's next great shopping destination: Eastchester's $270 million Mall at Bay Plaza. In Port Morris, Smith Electric Vehicles will open its first East Coast plant and more than 100 New Yorkers will go to work assembling zero-emission trucks and vans. 

"A new supermarket, stores, offices and a new charter school will bring 200 new jobs to along-vacant spot at the Bronx Hub on 149th Street. We'll begin renovation work on the Bronx River Art Center, creating a new media center, photography studio and gallery. 

"We'll begin re-zoning East Fordham Road to allow for more private sector investment and explore economic development possibilities on Webster Avenue. To do that, we're working with a group of neighbors we call the Bronx Quad: the New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx Zoo, Montefiore Medical Center and of course, the emerging basketball powerhouse, Fordham University. (Brendan's note: Manhattan College is better than Fordham. Much better.) 

"We're also stepping up efforts to keep some 3,600 good-paying jobs where they belong, at the Hunts Point produce market. New Jersey is making a big pitch to lure the market away, butwe¶re fully committed to modernizing the market and keeping those jobs here. 

"So today, in partnership with Council Speaker Christine Quinn, we're adding another $25 million to what will now be the City's $87 million commitment to re-building the market. And that's not the only big news here in the Bronx. 

"We're also launching a new effort to bring jobs to the most talked-about empty building in the Bronx: The Kingsbridge Armory. 

"In collaboration with Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., today, we are releasing a Request for Proposals for a new operator of the Armory. We're putting aside our differences to do what's best for the city. That's what leadership is about. It's not about a series of running arguments--it'sabout getting things done. 

"We've heard from a variety of interested parties, including those who want to develop itinto recreational space. And we're hopeful that the Kingsbridge Armory, vacant for some 15 years,will soon be transformed into a place that benefits the community and employs communitymembers. 

"In every borough in 2012, we'll bring new jobs on line and make investments that willattract more visitors."

The full text:

Mayor Bloomberg Delivers 2012 State of the City Address

City accepting proposals to develop Kingsbridge Armory

Thought to be the largest armory in the world.

We're going to have a full story on the Kingsbridge Armory in next week's paper, but here's the basic information you should know (because, as I assume, you all love to talk about Bronx economic development at the local watering holes just like I do).

• In 2009, the City Council killed The Related Cos. attempt to put a shopping mall in the armory because they would not commit to having their tenants pay a living wage
• Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was, and still is, one of the biggest supporters of a living wage, which would require developers who take significant subsidies from the city to pay at least $10 an hour with benefits, or $11.50 without
• Diaz also did not support the shopping mall project because it would compete with local merchants in the area, a fact often overlooked when discussing the project
• Since then, Diaz created the Kingsbridge Armory Task Force with local elected officials to search for better alternatives
• Most notably, NYU's Wagner School of Public Service helped the task force by drawing up a comprehensive report
• NYU and the task force found interested bidders that would use the armory for anything from a sports arena (focusing on hockey) to a mega-church
• This week: Crain's first reports that the city is issuing a new Request for Proposal for the armory. The RFP does not require a living wage be instituted, but preference will be given to those projects that do.
• Diaz said on NY1 that he is OK with this and that the living wage bill will continue to be fought in the City Council, where advocates are still fighting to gain support

So there are the highlights. As Crain's reported:

The new request for proposals is similar to one the city issued in September 2006, with two exceptions. First, the winning developer will have the option to lease the building from the city, instead of buy it. And while the previous request spelled out a preference for a mix of commercial, retail, entertainment, recreation and community uses, the new solicitation allows respondents to propose a broader range of uses, although not housing. Two public schools that were part of the previous plan are no longer in the works.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio pushes living wage bill (UPDATE)

The center of the Living Wage battle: The Kingsbridge Armory

In a letter sent yesterday to Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has announced his support for a living wage bill.

The bill, which is currently in limbo in the City Council, would require certain companies receiving city subsidies to pay employees $10 an hour with benefits or $11.50 without. De Blasio is expected to face Quinn in the Democratic primary for mayor, and the debate over a living wage will be a hot topic.

This is going to be a difficult issue for Quinn; she receives major contributions from the business community, which is firmly opposed to it. Bloomberg is also strongly against the bill.

In his letter (below), de Blasio says the prolonged economic crisis has battered the middle class. "Underlying these problems is a rising income inequality that threatens our social fabric and economic future," he writes. 

But de Blasio is calling for one change to the bill, which is to protect smaller businesses by increasing the amount of annual revenue that a business must earn to require offering a living wage to $5 million.

The bill, introduced by City Council members G. Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma on the behest of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., has been sitting in the City Council for months now, and has gone through much debate, both in public and in the Council. Quinn has yet to decide whether or not she will bring it to a vote.

De Blasio goes after the bill's detractors, defending the stoppage of the Kingsbridge Armory shopping center.

"Some have claimed that a Living Wage bill would inhibit future development, citing the City's experience with the Kingsbridge Armory as an example," he wrote. "I am the first to say that it was a tragedy negotiations were not able to yield a project at the Kingsbridge Armory. I do not subscribe to the notion that no projects are better than imperfect projects. But what killed the Kingsbridge Armory project was brinksmanship in the negotiating process—not the principle of a Living Wage."

UPDATE: Here is a statement from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. It should be noted that de Blasio was at the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club's holiday party last week, where Diaz spoke about the living wage. The BFRDC is also home to Koppell.

“As a leader in the fight to bring a ‘living wage’ law to New York City, I enthusiastically welcome Public Advocate Bill de Blasio’s support for the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act," Diaz said. "Public Advocate de Blasio has displayed a strong record of fighting for the rights of those underserved and often ignored residents of this City, and his support for this historic legislation is another great example of his commitment to justice and fairness for New Yorkers.

“For months, the public advocate met with individuals and organizations on all sides of this legislation as he engaged in a thoughtful, deliberative examination of the merits of this bill. After meeting with me personally last week, I am thrilled that he has joined the majority of our City in support of the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act. This further demonstrates that we are gaining momentum in our efforts to pass this important legislation.

“The ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act will ensure that our taxpayer dollars are spent not only to enrich major developers, but also to provide a way forward out of poverty for their employees. Bill de Blasio understands that, and I welcome his support for this bill and look forward to working with him on making it law."

Living Wage

Dinowitz supports sports arena for armory

The Kingsbridge Armory Arena?

The Kingsbridge Armory Task Force won't play favorites, but one Bronx official has come out in support of one design to fill the vacant building.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has written to Marlene Cintron, the president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, to give his backing to a sports arena. Other ideas include a massive church, a film studio and even a chef's kitchen.

"I have long believed that the Kingsbridge Armory should be used for the people of the Bronx.  I have seen the superb facility that has been developed at the armory at West 168^th Street and Fort Washington Avenue in Manhattan.  The Bronx deserves a great facility as well."

The project would also put a charter school in the building, have at least six year round ice rinks and one temporary rink outdoors in the winter. Part of the building would be an arena sized for a minor league hockey team or WNBA team. Concerts, conventions and other events could also be held in the arena.

The task force has chosen not to lobby for a specific idea, instead saying the city should reissue the RFP to find a suitor. Dinowitz's letter is really the first instance of an elected officials or community leader coming out to support a single idea, but the everyone's general idea is to get the building occupied, especially after the City Council and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr (co-leader of the task force) blocked a shopping mall in the armory in 2009 when the developer refused to consent to instituting a 'living wage' mandate for all who worked there. Diaz also noted that any retail center at the armory could kill the businesses along Fordham Road, a few blocks away.

Jump below for Dinowitz's letter.

Professional ice rink at Armory advances, making rink at VC Park a joke

For your consideration, the Armory ice skating rink story from this week's paper:

By Brendan McHugh

Proposals for the Kingsbridge Armory include everything from a giant church to an arts and crafts market, but a frontrunner for the nine-story building includes a charter school and ice-skating rinks.

The Kingsbridge Armory - skating rinks?

Developed by former New York Ranger Mark Messier’s management company, the plan includes year-round indoor rinks and even an outdoor rink during the winter months.

“I think they’re real serious contenders,” Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation president Marlene Cintron said. “Because they’re not asking for a dime, they have to be seriously considered.”

Jump below for the rest of the story.

Fighting obesity at the armory

The youth market is open Fridays through October.

Bringing fresh produce to the streets, the Kingsbridge Heights Youth Market kicked off today.

In the shadow of the Kingsbridge Armory at Barnhill Square, Bronx Community Board 8 and GrowNYC launched the second youth market in Community Board 8. It operates Fridays from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. through October 28th.

The youth market is a program of the nonprofit GrowNYC, and is part of a network of urban farm stands operated by teen entrepreneurs bringing fresh produce into low-income communities. The neighborhoods they serve are usually disproportionately affected by diet-related health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The youth markets bring healthy foods such as fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, all grown by New York area farms.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera and City Councilman Fernando Cabrera were both present for the opening. Rivera, who has spearheaded the Bronx CAN Health Initiative (more on that Monday), bought some of the fresh produce to bring to the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center that will be used for the healthy cooking demonstration they are doing at the Health Initiative Check-In on Saturday.

Schervier's Steve Kazanjian (right) speaks at the youth market Friday as State Senator Gustavo Rivera, his communication director Conchita Cruz and CB8 District Manager Nicole Stent listen.

Funding for both Kingsbridge Heights and Marble Hill youth market was provided by Bon Secours New York Health System/Schervier. The Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and Riverdale Neighborhood House will employ the students that operate the markets with guidance and training from GrowNYC. All students have been recruited from the neighborhoods surrounding the youth markets.

Steve Kazanjian, director of Mission for Schervier, said the local nursing home has $100,000 to spend annually on projects such as this.

Jump below for a few more pictures.