For those who were not around for the truly rough years a decade and a half ago, the pristine townhouses on the south end of Mount Morris Park West were not always so fastidious (top photo). The second photo by Camilo Jose Vergara, taken in 1994, shows a very desolate, bombed out looking Mount Morris Park West during that year's New York Marathon. The nearest corner buildings did not even have its facades intact and the remaining ones only had a shell of their former glory without any roof overhead (click to enlarge). Also, there was not much of crowd watching the race since only a couple of bystanders can be seen along the desolate street. Today, the buildings have faithfully been reconstructed back to their original plan and now consist of multiple high end condo units. As for the big sporting event, last year's marathon had the street flowing with children, families and bystanders from all backgrounds cheering the runners on. Goes to show that its never too late to rescue the historic architecture of any neighborhood. Current photos by Ulysses
For those who were not around for the truly rough years a decade and a half ago, the pristine townhouses on the south end of Mount Morris Park West were not always so fastidious (top photo). The second photo by Camilo Jose Vergara, taken in 1994, shows a very desolate, bombed out looking Mount Morris Park West during that year's New York Marathon. The nearest corner buildings did not even have its facades intact and the remaining ones only had a shell of their former glory without any roof overhead (click to enlarge). Also, there was not much of crowd watching the race since only a couple of bystanders can be seen along the desolate street. Today, the buildings have faithfully been reconstructed back to their original plan and now consist of multiple high end condo units. As for the big sporting event, last year's marathon had the street flowing with children, families and bystanders from all backgrounds cheering the runners on. Goes to show that its never too late to rescue the historic architecture of any neighborhood. Current photos by Ulysses
And it's a great neighbourhood. Terrific place to live.
ReplyDeleteSecond/third that. Been living here now for 3 months and it is by far one of my favorite neightborhoods in the city.
ReplyDeleteRunning the marathon this year also, can't wait for it to pass a block from my new apartment!
I remember when I was a kid in the late fifties and my Italian grandmother would take me to Morris Park. There were broken wine bottles and winos laying on the benches but I had fun anyway. Times sure have changed and it is good thing to see!
ReplyDeleteThis goes to show that Public/Private intitiatives MUST be approved. Harlem has succeeded ONLY when private developers who have the resources to save these buildings are given the incentives to restore them. NYC needs to keep its middle and upper middle class population in order to keep its tax base high and continue its services for the poor.
ReplyDeleteMay HPD turn every vacant lot into middle class/Upper Middle class condos!
Agreed. If the lots are vacant, sell them off to the right developer at a discount as an incentive. Just keep zoning in order and contextual to each neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we want all condos. People need to have housing they can afford.
ReplyDeleteI disagree Sanou's Mum. There are enough lower class housing in this area. NYC needs to secure its middle class and to do that is to do the lottery programs that have been so successful in keeping middle class families in the city. Middle class tax dollars support the programs that most of this community rely on.
ReplyDeleteI moved up here from Soho where I had a small Federal house for over 30 years and saw that neighbourhood become so homogeneously upmarket that I couldn't wait to get out. Everything that made Soho Soho was obliterated. I would hate to have lower income people herded into the projects while Fresh Direct trucks clog the side streets.
ReplyDeleteGentrification can be an unwieldy two-edged sword.
I agree with Sanou’s Mum, Harlem has a unique warmth and character that is more than it’s beautiful buildings. Although Harlem has a disproportionate number of housing projects, I would not like to see Harlem lose the very people that make it a great neighborhood. Gentrification can be an unwieldy two-edged sword.
ReplyDeleteI have lived in the mount morris district since 1994 and the community has come a long way. I loved this community for 15 years in both the good and not so nice times. This community will always be home.
ReplyDelete