A DNAinfo article on the development of the empty lot at 1800 Park Avenue has revealed the dramatic design of the 32-story two towers. The debate now is that Community Board 11 wants more affordable units in the new construction so that the building reflects the community at large. Currently 70 units are being planned for just one tower but the request would be for more affordable apartments planned in the other building. What the article does not point out is that any affordable units made available would cater to the working class from all parts of the city and will ultimately change the economic demographics of the immediate neighborhood.
East Harlem's population increase in the past decade has been from the outside with a large Mexican and Chinese community that have been arriving rapidly over the years and not from growth of the traditional demographics associated with El Barrio since the mid century. More details 1800 Park in DNAinfo: LINK
This need to build parking spaces as part of affordable housing is ridiculous. One does not need a car in Manhattan anyway, and I would argue certainly not a good use of dollars - at least in general - for anybody on a tight budget.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, this is next to Metro North and an express subway line, so no need for car parking. If anything we should encourage mass transit usage and discourage cars.
DeleteDisagree - people need cars for jobs! :)
DeleteHarlem has way too much subsidized housing, aka affordable housing, with the massive housing projects, I would like to see this all market rate to redress the balance a little.
ReplyDeleteEast Harlem has the most public low-income housing in the United States. This is not low-income housing since that model of housing is no longer being built by the government.
ReplyDeleteAffordable housing is for teachers, policemen, firefighters and even young professionals just starting out after college. Not such a bad thing for these professional eventually advance in their careers, make more money and bring money back into the community by spending locally.
unfortunately because of the high density of low income housing, the only way East Harlem has a prayer of coming out of this is to build ONLY market rate housing.. Unfortunately affordable housing for the young professionals etc. just won't cut it..
ReplyDeletePerhaps it will make that area cleaner, it's always so filthy.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how this building can be so tall and the Whole Foods site on Lenox missed the boat by not putting a high rise hotel on top of all that retail.... They really missed the boat on that one..
ReplyDeleteNice design, lots of balcony space.
ReplyDeletePhemominal design. This part of Harlem will eventually become uptown's retail hub as their are so many buildable lots and shells that will be built high.
ReplyDelete