New Bronx Mall Fails to Meet Promised Goals

New York, NY —

The developer of a new shopping mall at the former Bronx Terminal Market has not met a goal to award half its construction contracts to local firms. WNYC's Matthew Schuerman has more.

REPORTER: The Related Companies agreed to try award 50 percent of all construction contracts to Bronx-based firms when the City Council approved the mall three years ago. If the number fell below 25 percent, Related would face legal action.

A new report shows that the developer has come between those parameters, with just over 38 percent of contracts going to companies within the borough.

Rafael Salaberrios, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, says a lot of Bronx employers didn't meet other criteria, such as using union labor, or were unable to obtain sufficient bonding coverage.

A lawyer for Related, Jesse Masyr, called the 50 percent figure "aspirational" and said the developer did a "remarkable" job by including as many local firms as it did. For WNYC, I'm Matthew Schuerman.

REPORTER: The Gateway Mall at Bronx Terminal Market will hold its official ribbon-cutting ceremony in two weeks, though many of its stores are already doing business.