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Rezoning Harlem's Main Street

Starting in 2003, city officials have been speaking with the community regarding the rezoning of Harlem, which stretches between Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Second Avenue and 124th and 126th streets. This would involve conversion of the historic corridor into a regional destination for business, retail, and the arts, allowing for an estimated 2,300 new apartments and more than 600,000 square feet of office and retail space in coming years.

Already in place are developments by Vornado Realty Trust, allowing for the arrival of retailers such as Old Navy, and planned Harlem Park, a glass 20-story office building just west of Park Avenue.

In January of 2008, hundreds of people filled a City College auditorium for the City Planning Commission hearing, voicing disapproval that the plan would change the character of an iconic African-American locale with chain stores, and out-of-scale high-rises.

"We feel that the change will have a negative impact on central Harlem and on all of those who revere 125th St.," said Frank Perry, chairman of Community Board 10, which opposes the plan.

"The majority of any 125th St. residential development will not be within the financial reach of the average Harlemite." Though the plan includes incentives for "arts and entertainment uses" such as galleries, theaters and museums; discourages big bank lobbies, pawn shops and roll-down metal gates, and will impose a 290-foot height limit - the first ever along the street.

Planning Commission Chairwoman Amanda Burden reported by the Daily News that the plan has something for everyone.

"We feel very confident and excited about this plan," Burden said. "It really recognizes the cultural history of 125th St. as Harlem's main street."

Some neighbors and community groups, though, want the height limits lowered - fearing they will open the door to luxury apartment towers that would warp the street's small-scale retail character while flooding the area with apartments that longtime residents can't afford.

The city's Planning Commission approved the proposal with a 14-2 vote on Monday March 10th, 2008. Amanda Burden, Commission Chairwoman, claims that the commission was keen to maintain and enhance' 125th Street's unique and varied character and its identity as Harlem's Main Street." The city Planning Department spent four years organizing the mix of uses, heights and incentives along 125th St. between Broadway and Second Ave. It includes incentives for arts and entertainment

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