Ice Capades

The Kingsbridge National Ice Center will give the city a big economic boost, according to a report commissioned by developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center.

HR&A Advisors studied the economic impact of the proposal to install nine hockey rinks and a 5,000-seat arena in the Kingsbridge Armory, and determined the ice center would have a net economic impact of $1.3 billion on New York City.

According to the study, (KNIC developers would not say how much it cost) the ice center will create 170 permanent jobs at the Armory, as well as 1,850 construction jobs, including 890 in the Bronx. According to HR&A, the center will also create approximately 590 jobs as a result of $88 million citywide in new economic activity related to the ice center. The report also determined the ice center would give a boost to neighboring Bronx businesses instead of putting them out of business.

This reminds us of something.

In May 2011, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that a $1 million study he commissioned on the living wage bill would kill jobs and hurt the city’s economy. The whole thing was best summed up in a Gothamist headline, “Living Wage Study Ordered By Bloomberg Agrees With Bloomberg.”

Bronx electeds, namely Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Councilman Oliver Koppell, who penned the original living wage bill as a result of the Kingsbridge Armory wage battle, blasted the study for being biased and for its “trumped-up” evidence.

This time though, a study commissioned by an interested party is gospel.

Mr. Diaz released a statement on Monday to say the HR&A study shows the ice center proposal is “clearly the best choice for the Armory and the entire Bronx.”

“When I offered my public support to this project in August, I noted that this development would complement the surrounding neighborhood, especially Fordham Road, bringing new consumer traffic to this important commercial district. This report proves that, illustrating just how great a financial benefit this project will have for our borough and our city,” Mr. Diaz said in a press release.

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