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The city and developer Related Companies' $310 million plan to turn the 180,000-square-feet space into stores and community space.

While local leaders and community members say they support the mall's creation, they want to ensure that employees would get living wages of at least $10 an hour.

"It's a major issue because the Related Companies says if we mandate a wage scale, they're concerned that they won't get tenants and the whole project will fall apart,” said Bronx City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell. “At the same time, many people in the community rightfully say minimum wage jobs don't really support a family. So we're trying to arrive at some sort of compromise."

"People have to live," said Bronx resident Ivan Braun. "If we're not paying a living wage, it means that people are going to have to rely on other public subsidies, whether it's food stamps, health care, or housing vouchers."

Council members say the city has offered a counterproposal to the living wage request and it is considering the deal. A vote is now scheduled for Friday.

"We're in negotiations, and with all due respect, I don't think it's helpful to negotiate in the press. So people are at the table, that's good news," said Council Speaker Christine Quinn. "When you're at the table, there always is a possibility of getting to a resolution that all parties could support."

Sources told NY1 that $1 million of the project's costs may be set aside for a "living wage fund," which would help ensure decent workers' wages.

Some local leaders had threatened to vote down the plan if the living wage request was not met.

"The delegation and subcommittee are prepared to vote no on this project because we are technically at an impasse on negotiations when it comes to a living wage proposal," said City Councilman Joel Rivera of the Bronx.

"If we can get this agreement on living wage, this will a major policy change for the future," said Queens Councilman Tony Avella. "This is a significant fight that must be won. It's very expensive to live in the city, and minimum wage just doesn't do it anymore."

The Kingsbridge Armory, which has sat vacant for years, is the largest armory in the nation.

The City Council has until December 14th to approve the plan.