REVIVE: A LESSON AT THE CORN EXCHANGE

Some have feared in the past that making a building a landmark or placing preservation restrictions on  a property is not a good way to do business because this would not be appealing to developers.  An article in the Daily News published over a year ago mentions that Harlem residents are used to hearing about these ongoing delays for big projects on 125th Street and that the landmark process with the Corn Exchange Building was a good example of why things do not go forward in an expeditious manner.  Out of the two sites mentioned in the piece, the landmark building actually finished first and is one of the major developments on the boulevard that has quickly been completed after the developers signed on.  Whole Foods, The Victoria, Mart 125, The Taystee Cake Site or National Urban League have all been lagging along and the so called restraints of landmarking are not in place.

With its glimmering copper details reflecting in the afternoon sun, the former Mount Morris Bank is once more a spectacular welcome to those getting off the Metro North Station at Park Avenue and shows that anything can be done with the right vision.  The EDC, Landmarks Preservation Commission, Danois Architects and development partner Artimus should all be congratulated for their efforts on making this dream a reality.