"Do you or any of your readers know what the story is with the beautiful space on the northeast corner of 129th and Convent? According to folks in the neighborhood it used to house a large soda shop with a marble fountain, and that is has tin ceilings. However, it's been shuttered for years. It would make a gorgeous cafe or maybe even a restaurant, especially since in our part of West Harlem you have to walk 10-15 minutes north, south, or east for coffee or food (pending the opening of Maison Harlem)."
Anyone with additional information out there?
The building is a HDFC co-op. The surrounding area is in a R-7 district with no commercial overlay. Even though are a couple of bodegas and a Laundromat nearby, they probably exist as an “on-going commercial use” and can be grandfathered into the present zoning. The interior space has 20 foot high ceilings, with skylights (which have been covered over) and the space needs to be gut rehabbed. There use to be commercial occupancy at the building’s storefront but because it has not been in continuous occupancy (20 years vacant?), present zoning will not permit occupancy by a commercial entity. The HDFC is looking for a tenant that could lease the space as a “community facility”. Usually community facilities means some non-profit groups, education facilities, medical offices, etc..
ReplyDeleteUGH! Of course. Just another example of how Scott Stringer and CB9 are working to keep Hamilton Heights poor, underdeveloped, and underserved. Thanks to the new zoning commercial and height restrictions, this area will see VERY LITTLE new development, if any. (Interesting aside: did you know that this new zoning is SO restrictive that you won't even be able to build a "standard" brownstone in most of area once the new zoning kicks in?!? The houses that already exist in this area are too big for the new R6 zoning!). This building is a perfect example - could be a lovely cafe or restaurant serving an unmet need, making the area more secure, AND providing much needed jobs. Instead, we'll probably get another West Harlem Group Assistance office or some similarly over-represented entity to help people make the most of their unemployment. I don't mean to sound callous and I know that some of these entities do a lot of good, but to choke development to the point that only Broadway and 145th street can have commercial entities (along with some small pockets here or there) while pushing to have even more affordable housing and community facilities is counterproductive and an over-exaggerated response to Columbia's expansion. Have you noticed that just about every "storefront" on Convent, Amsterdam, and St. Nicholas is some "community facility" that's only open a few hours a day, if at all? They don't promote foot traffic, security, services, anything. What a waste!
ReplyDeleteMax, well said.
ReplyDeleteMax, the southern border of Hamilton Heights is 135th street. That said, I do agree with the rest of your posting.
ReplyDelete