This sounds like a total blast: The Kingsbridge Armory, which was almost turned into a shopping mall until the workers started making demands about being paid a living wage, is going to host a Mexican-style rodeo later this month! We've already drooled over renderings for a proposal to turn the giant armory into a cyclist Velodrome, but that's a long way off, even if it does happen. In the meantime, the vacant space is starting to get put to good use, with a concert by Los Tigres del Norte and Hector "El Torito" Acosta drawing an audience of 3,500 last month. On March 25th, the bulls and masked wrestlers will take over. more ›

Robert Lieber, the deputy mayor for economic development, announced he's stepping down, "I told the mayor this is toughest decision I ever had to make. I love the job. I’m most proud of having taken a lot of these projects that had been put in the oven but not baked and gotten them done, whether it’s Coney Island, Willets Point or the World Trade Center.” The NY Times reports that Lieber, who previously worked for Lehman Brothers, will be going to a "merchant real estate bank that recently acquired a company that, he said, would be at the center of sorting out troubled real estate loans." Lieber also worked on the city's takeover of Governors Island and failed attempt to turn Kingsbridge Armory into a shopping mall. more ›

Last year Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. fought and conquered the building of a mall in the historic Kingsbridge Armory; now—facing a possible bid for citywide office—he has to figure out what to do with the hard-to-fill space. "He's got a big problem," a Bronx elected official told the Post. "No one's been able to do anything with this thing, and now he comes along and stops the only development that seemed to have a chance." more ›

In a rare decision for the City Council — which has voted in support of almost every single development project backed by Mayor Bloomberg — the group turned down a plan to convert the Kingsbridge Armory into a shopping mall, voting 45-1 against the proposal. Following the landslide decision, Bloomberg said he would veto the ruling, even though the Council will easily have enough votes to override him: "We will veto it. It is the right project for the Bronx" more ›

After postponing two votes, two City Council subcommittees voted against a $310 million proposal to transform the Kingsbridge Armory into a shopping Mall. NY1 reports, "This is the first time the current City Council, that which was voted into office in 2001, has voted against a major Bloomberg administration proposal." more ›

Last month the City Planning Commission approved a controversial plan to turn the Kingsbridge Armory, a massive red-brick castle in the Bronx, into a mall that will include a large department store, shops and a movie theater. But critics of the $310 million project insist the developer should not get the green light unless future mall employees are guaranteed a living wage. Opposition was intense yesterday at the City Council subcommittee's public hearing to decide whether to approve rezoning. more ›

Today the City Planning Commission approved a controversial plan to turn the Kingsbridge Armory, a massive red-brick castle in the Bronx, into a mall that will include a large department store, shops and a movie theater. Outspoken opponents of the $310 million project include Bronx borough president Rubén Díaz Jr., who insists the developer should not get the green light unless future mall employees are guaranteed a living wage: "These jobs are not going to allow Bronx families to get themselves out of poverty." It's now up to the City Council to vote on the project. more ›

While the fate of a proposed Whole Foods in Gowanus Brooklyn remains an open question, a group of Upper East Siders are hankering for their piece of the Whole. NYC the Blog spotted this desperate entreaty on Lexington Ave between 86th and 87th Street. Did you know it's tough out there on the mean streets of the UES? It's true; the sign says so: "I'm sick of eating out! We need to take action! They have taken away many of our amenities, making it hard to live in this area! We should have a say in what stores are welcome in our neighborhood." The community urgently needs a tiny violin shop, for one thing. According to an article in Crain's last year, a Whole Foods on 57th and Second Ave is expected to be completed by 2012, so that's a start. Hang in there Upper East Siders! more ›