DNAinfo reports on the recent zoning approval for the proposed Faith Ringgold Children's Museum of Art and Storytelling. We had a report up on the $70 million, 13-story project which would also include 124 units of affordable housing, backing in November of last year:
LINK. The original drawing gives a better perspective (above image) than that of the article since it shows the hill of West 155th Street in relationship to the surrounding West Harlem neighborhood. As seen in both of the above photos, a gas station will still remain but the unique parking garage with the terracotta minarets will be demolished to make way for the new building. The DNAinfo article has the building cast in a really dull grey so let's hope the exterior finishes will be a little more nuanced than the most recent sketches:
LINK. Groundbreaking is apparently happening at the end of this year and the project will finish by 2012. On a side note, those not familiar with Ms. Ringgold's work might recognize her mosaic murals which are up on the 125th Street subway stop:
LINK
Too bad that the cool old garage is being torn down instead of the gas station.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm curious to know the definition of "affordable" in this situation. Harlem needs more economic diversity, while the mission of this organization (www.broadwayhousing.org) seems to focus primarily on very low income/homeless. How about a mixed income development?
Well, where are the Yankee fans going to park now?
ReplyDeleteI agree. Harlem needs upper middle income. Another "affordable" does nothing to change the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteGas station should be torn down. What a shame. Ridiculous plan too. Should be luxury housing actually.
It should be luxury housing because? . . .
ReplyDeleteThey already have luxury housing across the street at 409 Edgecombe Ave. Why so much disdain for low income housing, something this city sorely lacks. While I believe all income levels merit residence in NYC the low income's among us shouldn't be written off.
ReplyDeleteHarlem already has a disproportionate share of low-income housing compared to other neighborhoods in the city. The argument can be made that middle-income housing is even more desperately needed in NYC than low-income. I personally don't think it should be "luxury", but do acknowledge that mixed-income developments have proven to be very successful in other cities. Buildings of all low-income housing will continue the failed public housing social experiment of the 1950s/60s - an experiment shown time and again to perpetuate the cycle of poverty rather than break it.
ReplyDelete