Brookfi eld Properties delivers opportunities to residents
BY JASON COHEN
A developer that is in the
midst of constructing a mega
million dollar luxury residential
project in the borough is
also providing jobs for local
residents in the process.
In November, Brookfi eld
Properties unveiled their
plans for the Bankside mixeduse
development in Mott Haven
and also brought hundreds
of construction jobs,
many of which were fi lled
with local residents.
Bankside, a $950 million,
4.3-acre mixed-use multi tower
development is located along
the Harlem River waterfront
in. Bankside will consume
two sizable parcels located on
each side of the Third Avenue
Bridge – at 2401 Third Avenue
and 101 Lincoln Avenue.
For this project, Brookfi eld
is using its Social Inclusion
Program with local workforce
intermediaries and a host of
community and faith-based
organizations located in the
Bronx to match residents
with opportunities on projects
like Bankside. Brookfi eld
has had several success stories
through their work with
workforce intermediaries.
Behind this effort is Andre
Banks, director of the
Social Inclusion Program.
He works with workforce
intermediaries and community
and faith based organizations
in the Bronx and
Washington, D.C. to help
supply local residents with
job opportunities.
“We want to help people,”
Banks said. “We’re putting
a lot into the community. It’s
going to change the lives for
some.”
Banks told the Bronx
Times he understands how
diffi cult it can be to fi nd a job,
so being part of this program
is gratifying for the employer
and employee. People struggle
putting food on the table and
helping local people is important,
he stressed.
“When they see this coming
down the pike, they really
want to be a part of it,” he said.
“There’s nothing worse than
well-trained people that can’t
fi nd jobs.”
One person who can attest
to the success of the program
fi rsthand is Dwayne Campbell.
Campbell, 53, was referred
to Building Skills NY
from their workforce partner
Bronxworks.
labor, fl agging and fi re watch.
opportunity to work on the
Brookfi eld site,” Campbell
said. “Building Skills connected
now making a good salary and
my rent is back in good standing.”
not always been easy. He was
married, lost his son, fell into
depression, dealt with addiction
drug game and aimed to be a
‘successful Scarface.’
He went to college and began
working various jobs, none of
which made his pockets fat.
Campbell was living paycheck
to paycheck and often falling
behind on rent.
your rent is not good,” he
stated.
2, he joined Brookfi eld and
things have been smooth sailing
made a difference in his life,
BRONX TIMES R 18 EPORTER, MARCH13-19, 2020 BTR
He was hired by RC Structures
and is now doing general
“I am so thankful for this
me to a job where I am
Campbell said things have
and sold drugs.
In the 90s he was in the
In 1996 he left it all behind.
“Inching your way through
On Wednesday, January
ever since.
Buildings Skills NY has
Dwayne Campbell, a Bronx resident who is part of Brookfi eld’s Social Inclusion
Program. Photo by Building Skills NY
he said. It helped him get licenses,
a job and ultimately
has lead to his happiness.
“It feels fantastic,” he said.
“It’s money that I haven’t
made in a longtime. I’m just
so grateful for the chance that
they gave me.”
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