The Gotham Gazette summarized the history of the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment plan and the project's defeat by the New York City Council. The article states that the project's current trajectory has shifted; community members and advocates have been able to place a living wage requirement back into the discussion for future plans.

City Councilwoman Helen Sears (D), raised her voice in opposition ot the City Council's defeat of the Kingsbridge Armory development project. Sears, who was the lone dissenter in the 45-1 vote, argued that the development project, despite lacking a living wage requirement, would have still brought money and new jobs into the Bronx.

The City Council rejected redevelopment plans for the Kingsbridge Armory by a vote of 45-1. Several City Council members argued that the project would not be beneficial to the community because it would not provide a living wage for employees. The developer continued to argue that such requirements are unprecedented in New York and would make the redevelopment project economically unfeasible.

In order to find a solution for the stall in the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment plans, the City has proposed an alternative to the living wage requirement that is being heavily pushed by community advocates.

The City Council was set to vote on the living wage debate over the proposed Kingsbridge Armory Mall on December 8th, 2009. Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz, Jr. (D), will not support the project unless workers are guaranteed at least an hourly wage of $11.50. The developer argues that this mandate will hinder the project.

Bronx residents raised their voices at City Hall, as they continued to push for a living wage requirement for the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment project. Both the City Council subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, and the Committee on Land Use, tabled the vote.

No compromise has been reached between local Bronx leaders and The Related Companies regarding the living wage provision for the proposed Kingsbridge Armory Mall. Opponents of the living wage requirement maintain that a mandatory living wage would cause the development to fail. Proponents, including Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera (D-Bronx) and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

City Council majority leader Joel Rivera (D-Bronx) announced Monday that the has sufficient support in the Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises to either pass or scuttle the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment plan. The central point of contention remains the inclusion of a “living wage” clause that will be imposed upon all retailers in the project.

Stating that a living wage mandate would deter retailers from leasing space at the proposed Kingsbridge Armory Mall, Mayor Bloomberg remains in opposition to the living wage request from community activists. The Related Companies, the developer for the site, supports a living wage for workers such as construction workers but not for future retail workers.

Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz Jr. (D), and the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance continue to fight for the passage of a living wage as part of the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment. The controversy rests on the developer's reluctance to include a living wage provision in the redevelopment plan.