By now we all know how this project came to life. Since the very beginning, I stood against this project. I did not agree with our local elected officials who pushed to convert the armory into an ice skating rink.
We all know that this is not a sports played by those who live in this community. Baseball, basketball, soccer but a skating rink? How many Latinos/African-Americans play hockey? Latinos there are 6: Scott Gomez (Mexican & Colombian), Bill Guerin (Nicaraguan & Irish), Auston Matthews American & Mexican), Al Montoya (Cuban), Max Pacioretty American & Mexican) and Rafi Torres (Mexican & Peruvian).
As far as I was able to find, there are only 72 African-American hockey players. This is less than 1% of players in the National Hockey League.
As I knew it would happened, the small businesses along Kingsbridge Road and surrounding area are all either on yearly contracts or in some cases, no contracts at all. These businesses, barbershops, restaurants, hardware store, supermarket are all going to be pushed out as the new development is built.
Do you think those coming to the new venue are going to eat arroz, habichuela y pollo at one of the local restaurants? Or getting their cut at one of the local barbershops? Or but from the local supermarkets or hardware store? Of course not. We all know it.
I have many friends and family who live within the Armory and I can tell you that everyone knows that they will need to find where to move because the rents are going up very fast. Those that have businesses already have begun to look for alternative locations to move. This project will definitely change the entire Kingsbridge neighborhood.
Trust me, I hope to be wrong on this, truly I do. Let's just say that today I'm cautiously optimistic.
No comments:
Post a Comment