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be no place for them to go."

The Coalition to Save Harlem is leading grassroots opposition to the city's proposal. Residents opposing the rezoning are asking "Does this area of the city really need 2,000 luxury condos? And at what price does the rezoning cost?" Local Community Board 10 has given workshops and issued its own resolution urging the City Planning Commission to protect buildings with Historical value. In spite of advocacy groups delivering testimony at City Planning Commission the plans to move ahead are still underway.

City Councilwoman Inez E. Dickens represents central Harlem. She believes the need for change is paramount. "It is quite clear to me that in doing nothing, our village loses," she said. "If we are to truly affect the unemployment rate, especially among the young black and Latino males of our community, then we must pursue change." On March 10th there was a vote to send the proposal to the city council which now has 60 days to hold hearings and render the final decision.

Dabney Montgomery, 84, has lived in Harlem 52 years. "One hundred twenty-fifth street must change. But it needs change that will benefit the people of Harlem. The rezoning will make 125th Street into another 86th Street. We don't want that."

Bibliography:

New York City Planning Commission. Calendar Information Office. Zoning Proposal. March 11, 2008. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/ht ml/125th/125th7.shtml

Feltz, Renee. 125th Street on the Line, The Indypendent! February 24, 2008

Zimmer, Amy. Harlem's future tied to 125th Street zoning, Metro New York January 29, 2008
Vitullo-Martin, Julia. 125th Street: Yes, Rezone The New York Post January 31, 2008.

Brown, Eliot. It's On in Harlem! Again. The Observer.com January 29, 2008

Williams, Timothy. City's Sweeping Rezoning Plan for 125th Street Has Many in Harlem Concerned. February 21, 2008.

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