KZA worked with national retailer Home Depot to overcome vociferous opposition by local retailers, institutions and community groups who organized to stop the development of Home Depot on Gun Hill Road and Zerega Avenue in the Bronx.

• Developed strategies for resolving obstacles to development, including the formation of a task force to clearly define the opposition’s core issues and create a forum for their resolution
• Created grassroot support for the project, arranged testimony at public hearings and coordinated private meetings with elected officials and key opposition leaders to promote the project’s benefit to the community
• Worked with Home Depot to achieve a successful jobs program that resulted in 90% participation by Bronx companies and 75% local participation during the project construction
• Facilitated job placement in permanent and part-time retail positions once the project was completed