What do a Harlem Brownstone and Carnegie Hall have in common? [NYT]
The arguments for and against the rezoning of 125th – blog style [TGR vs. LC]
Is there such a thing as a healthy Bodega? [Gotham Gazette]
Should girls and boys be educated according to gender? [NYT]
Posted in: The Scoop
Anonymous
March 4, 2008
>One of conditions is a local business requirement that will allow existing but new businesses by minorities to get an opportunity.
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Don’t they already have that just in the free market place? What exactly is an “existing but new business by minorities”? Your language is rather unclear here.
> “cultural bonus” as an incentive for developers versus the “arts and entertainment” requirement where the definition is too vague.
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Your language is also vague, specific example please?
>This way local cultural organizations would have an opportunity to get space and bring more vitality to the strip
Why not let the market determine these things? Why try to socially & commercially engineer it? 14th St. 86th, 72nd seem to have done just fine in a free market, 125th should as well.
I think you’ve got it wrong and think in an older world concept. It’s a different time. No entity has an entitlement to be on the main commercial street. You say the word “cultural organizations”? They have no more merit to be on 125th St. than any business of any kind.
Every business grows the tax base, creates jobs, isn’t that what it’s all about? It is a commercial strip first and foremost. Ever consider that? Force a “cultural organization” entitlement to space on 125th equates to removing a business that grows the tax base and creates jobs?
Why can’t cultural entities develop an enclave or sector in Harlem off 125th St? Like on 116th or 135th near the Shomburg or 145th or up by City College or anywhere?
Let the commercial strip be just that, a strip where the market prevails, not people artificially rigging the landscape. There are plenty of streets in Harlem wherein special zones can indeed be created providing incentives for cultural organizations (as you say) to flourish (like what’s taking place in SoBro for example with artist).
125th St. would be just fine if the market place drove the development. Restrict, harness, force things down developers throat? And it won’t be as viable and robust. Plus there are no “sacred cows”. It really disturbs me when I hear generic language like “cultural organizations”.
I don’t even think the Apollo is entitled to be on 125th St. If it can pay its on freight in a free market,fine. Everything changes, the Cotton Club, The Savoy BallRoom, there are no sacred cow cultural entities that must be on the main commercial street.
Proposing subsidies for businesses because they are Black owned? To compete adjacent to a non-black business? That’s the solution? I would not want to open a restaurant on 125th if I was White and compete against a Black owned restaurant that paid a fraction of the rent level I paid for example.
Let the market play out. Let’s be frank, in Harlem when you have a perk or incentive for minorities, it’s Blacks that benefit, it’s the Koreans. Lovely, more Manna’s!
anon
March 4, 2008
I suggest looking at some old photos of 125th street, they can be found at
http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/explore/dgexplore.cfm
Search for “125th street”
Now, before anyone states the obvious, I do not look back kindly on racial politics of bygone eras, and in no way suggest returning to those days. However some photos show a 125th street with what seems full occupancy store fronts, and a nice variety of stores, clean sidewalks, you could say the old 125th is aglow with commercial activity and pride.
Just compare that with the 125th street of today, it is heart breaking to realize what Harlem’s main corridor has become, it is a sad shadow of its former glory suffering from years of abuse and neglect. I would like to see the new 125th with some of it’s old luster, smaller store fronts and mixed residential apartments above, most market rate, some reserved for the folks who keep this great city running like school teachers and firemen. Also culture spaces for Harlem’s history, more sidewalk trees and better lighting. The current proposal calls for preserving Hotel Teresa and the Corn Exchange along with many other great old buildings. The new proposal learns from the mistakes of other cross streets and incorporate things that have proven to work like mixed residential and retail. Who knows, 125th could be one of the finest cross streets in Manhattan.
Anonymous
March 4, 2008
>you look doen 5th ave and see that gigantic tower being built near marcus garvey park, it looks scary.
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No, it looks FABULOUS! It looks like “About Time”, it looks like 111CPN, Loft124, this is the New Harlem and if you are not part of it, don’t let the door knob hit you where the dog should have bit you! (on your way out). Just get the F out, leave, please, now. Whiners be gone!
It speaks to what Harlem can be, Manhattan Grand! Harlem is part of Manhattan, deal with it.
Don’t live in Manhattan if you don’t like change, buildings, hustle and bustle, vibrant life on the street, this is Manhattan.
If growth and moving forward scares you move to Kansas.
illoquentgent
March 4, 2008
Ah, the zoning debate. I think that just based on both sides of the argument presented by LC and TGR, TGR makes a better case for zoning than LC does for not zoning. That’s just based on the merit of their arguments. I agree that everyone should definitely read the proposals carefully. There is wording that can be a little vague and done so purposefully to leave the door open for plans in the future. I think that we should attend whatever “townhall” meetings there are coming up and question them about those details. i do agree that 125th street does need major development. 125th street was always meant as a boulevard of commerce. I don’t think anyone would dispute that. There are also many “shells” from madison ave going east that are eyesores. I don’t think anyone benefits from keeping those around. Also I think the fact that the proposal is creating wording that actively designates space for cultural activities is an important benefit. The whole “no banks” on floor levels is an interesting caviat. Two things that should be looked into are one, how the zoning will affect the skyline of 125st. I can tell you right now that when you look doen 5th ave and see that gigantic tower being built near marcus garvey park, it looks scary. The other is the issue of affordable housing. I for one have always laughed when proponents of new plans claim that they are creating “affordable housing” because this is such a fluid term. I think we can assume that on a corridor like 125st, any type of housing will be the most expensive in Harlem. Just think of what an apartment RIGHT ON 42nd st or 34th st would cost. It almost seems pointless to even suggest affordable housing. But, hey, if some bloke wants to buy a condo on 125st more power to him/her. However, this should represent a minor portion of 125st compared to creating a booming business opportunity with anchor stores (one that will also provide opportunies to local entepeneurs), cultural venues such as the ones proposed for the upcoming victoria theatre, and allowing for a look that won’t alienate people from Harlem. As I said, more more scrutinizing should follow.
Savona
March 4, 2008
Morning,
Your article was a bit rough but yes Harlem needs developed.People are very concerned with good reason but we also have to deal with improving services, products and conditions. How do we handle this responsibly is the answer. I strongly urge you to also get the official responses from all three Community Boards on the re-zoning of 125th Street. CB9 (West Harlem) and CB11 (East Harlem) voted yes with conditions. CB10 (Central Harlem) voted no with conditions.
Nonetheless, the conditions are pretty consistent. Some are “in scope” and some are not hoping City Planning will consider what’s called follow up actions. One of conditions is a local business requirement that will allow existing but new businesses by minorities to get an opportunity. We don’t guarantee change or success but the opportunity. Also, we are pushing for something very unique and the city is supporting our recommendation for a “cultural bonus” as an incentive for developers versus the “arts and entertainment” requirement where the definition is too vague. This way local cultural organizations would have an opportunity to get space and bring more vitality to the strip that would support more restaurants which everyone agreed is needed.
We also supported consistent streetscaping along all of 125th Street — trees, lighting, trash receptacles, benches that would make 125th Street look more attractive. Good streetscape guidelines could help enforce open, see through gates so it wouldn’t look so dark.
These are some of the additional requests local folks are asking for. Please ask more questions and learn everything that is going on. This re-zoning is a hard one and folks are pushing for compromise and some thoughtfulness AGAINST city regulations and greed.
Savona Bailey-McClain