Over 78 percent of resident now oppose the addition of six new 28-story towers that would "infill" the land surrounding the existing towers and also include a large commercial retail component on the Avenue side of the street. A development of this scale would require changes in the current R7-2 residential zoning to C6-2 commercial zoning which is now only found on 125th Street in Central Harlem. Some of the concerns also include how the neighborhood infrastructure would support an influx of 1,100 new units in a 3 block radius. For any of this to happen, The Department of City Planning, Community Board 10, the Manhattan Borough President, City Council and the Mayor would have to sign off on the zoning issue.
Check out our past post for previous versions of the infill plans which are probably not so current now but gives an idea of the direction the developers are going for: LINK
I understand these people's position, but they don't own their apartments. So they have no claim on it, just like eveywhere else in the city.
ReplyDeleteGG makes a good point. They don't own. They're just renting. So they don't have a whole lot of say in the matter.
ReplyDeleteThey can't stop the owners from building as-of-right but they do have the power to stop any rezoning plan that will change the residential area into a commercial zone - bringing in more skyscrapers and big box retailers!
ReplyDeleteTotally agreed and I feel as though this is a done deal! No amount of protests, petitions, etc. will change a thing. They are all renters & really have no say in this. This is one reason why its better to own than rent in many ways.
ReplyDeleteThey have no claim to the property, but they are still community residents, so they have a right to have their opinion considered.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why people are always so opposed to progress.. Look at what the infill did to Lenox Terrace's sister buildings over on Columbus in the 90's.. The addition was a fantastic add to that neighborhood and the same thing will happen on Lenox Ave! This will increase development and progress back down the avenue towards 125th!
ReplyDeleteTrader Joes!!!
ReplyDeleteTrader Joes will never happen up there.. That store does not take risks like Whole Foods..
DeleteThe issue isn't whether or not the Lenox Terrace group is made up of owners or renters. The issue is that they are opposing a project that will bring badly needed jobs to the area.
ReplyDeleteDo we know what kind of buildings are being planned? Rental, Condo, 80/20?
Seriously, it's a crappy area and let's get it revitalized also.
ReplyDeletePlease let progress continue Harlem people!
How wonderful that the spirit of activism is alive and well, even if the owners move forward with their plans. The owners still need city approvals if they want to rezone and that is NOT a sure thing for them by any stretch of the imagination. I say fight tenants!
ReplyDeleteWhy do you people want to keep the status quo which is crappy, rather than allow renovation, progress, entrepreneurship, and new opportunities!
ReplyDeleteThe residents of Lenox Terrace aren't opposed to improving the site, they are opposed to the re-zoning to a commercial property. Re-zoning to a commercial property means the landlords can build six towers of up to 28 stories tall (as opposed to the current zoning of 16 stories). That affects the entire community in terms of subway overcrowding, traffic congestion, school overcrowding, etc. There is a possibility of adding another 3000-4000 people in a three block radius under the re-zoning. This affects the entire community, and yes, as a community we have a right to have our voices heard with this amount of community impact.
ReplyDeleteI disagree.
DeleteNot all new tenants require the exact same services at the same time. This section of Harlem is also still under its historic population high.
There will always be complaints...that is the way the city is now that they are building to accommodate cheaper apartments that is surely needed then comes the complaint...too crowded, if its affordable so be it!
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