The Harlem Neighborhood Block Association

Neighbors united to improve the quality of life in Harlem

Category: News

Visualizing Structural Racism

Posted on by Harlem Shill

The Lantern Organization is slated to manage a new supportive housing project – Timbale Terrace – on Park Avenue and 119th Street. This new project would bring one hundred additional SRO (Single Room Occupancy) units to Harlem for people with severe mental health or addiction issues.

The Greater Harlem Coalition and the Harlem East Block Association filed a FOIL data request (Freedom of Information Law) to understand the statewide density of housing similar to the proposed Timbale Terrace – housing for individuals with serious mental health and/or addiction issues – in New York City and funded by DOMH (Department of Mental Health) under code 5070. 

The data shows that DOMH has already allocated an excessive amount of SRO housing to the zip code 10035 where Timbale Terrace will be located. More specifically, while zip code 10035 has only 0.2% of New York State’s population 5.6% of all of New York State’s SRO housing (or 595 out of 10635 patients) has been packed in this zip code. If Timbale Terrace brings another 100 more DOMH SRO units, zip code 10035 will have 6.4% of New York State’s entire SRO housing. On top of this, within zip code 10035, 6 out of the 7 existing DOMH SRO programs are located in close proximity to the designated location of Timbale Terrace (see data below)

Sadly, DOMH is not the only government agency that has overburdened East Harlem. East Harlem also bears an unfair burden of other social services rejected by other wealthier and whiter districts. Below, is a summary of the data we have obtained:

  1. East Harlem has 1.4% of NYC’s population, but it has 14% of NYC’s opioid treatment capacities as allocated by New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Support (NYS OASAS)
  2. East Harlem has 1.4% of NYC’s population, but it has 8 to 10% of NYC’s adult-only shelter capacities as allocated by New York City’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS)

Unfortunately, Council Member Kristin Jordan is working to reinforce the status quo of structural oversaturation by supporting the Timbale Terrace project. East Harlem cannot continue to be asked to take on this burden for New York State. These well-intended social services are all fine on their own, but if located in extreme density, can create a negative, self-reinforcing street culture. 

To ask Council Member Jordan why she seeks to reinforce structural oversaturation, please reach out to her office at: [email protected]

Existing SRO funded by DOMH in zip code 10035

Agency CodeAgency NameProgram CodeProgram AddressProgram ZipProgram CountyOpen DateCAIRS Capacity5 digit zip
31600CAMBA, Inc.132027 Madison Avenue
New York,  NY  10035-1015		10035-1015New York11/1/20142310035
46230Lantern Community Services7110 East 118th Street
New York,  NY  10035		10035New York4/1/20145410035
22790Volunteers of America422 E. 119th Street
New York,  NY  10035		10035New York7/1/20115310035
19880Weston United Community Renewal, Inc.6158 E. 122nd Street
New York,  NY  10035		10035New York4/15/20116010035
24740Center for Urban Community Services, Inc.8198 E. 121st Street
New York,  NY  10035		10035New York6/1/20101610035
24740Center for Urban Community Services, Inc.635198 E. 121st Street
5th Floor		10035New York1/1/199512910035
44530Columba Services, Inc.1209 E. 118th Street
New York,  NY  10035		10035New York1/1/199226010035

Judicial Candidate (Civil Court) Virtual Forum

We invite you to a Civil Court Virtual Zoom on Thursday, February 2, 2023 7:00pm-8:00pm. The purpose of this virtual forum is to afford District Leaders & club members the opportunity to hear from Civil Court candidates. 

Each candidate will have 5 minutes plus questions & answers. 

Judicial Candidate (Civil Court) Virtual Forum
Time: Feb 2, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 840 9070 8601
Passcode: 389001
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84090708601?pwd=bmcxVXJWSGFvOTRuSE4rMmJhOVhqZz09Meeting ID: 840 9070 8601
Passcode: 389001
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,84090708601#,,,,*389001# US (New York)Dial by your location
        +1 646 931 3860 US
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Welcome Commanding Officer Maisonet

Posted on by Harlem Shill

The 25th Precinct has a new commanding officer, C.O. Maisonet:

On Wednesday, February 15th you have your opportunity to meet the new commander, and to get a sense of where he will be taking the precinct. This is also your opportunity to voice your thoughts on what the priorities should be.

Come to the 6 PM, Wednesday, February 15th meeting at the 25th Precinct – East 119th Street, between Lexington and Park. All are welcome.

25th Precinct Commanding Officer Henning Is Leaving

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Yesterday it was announced that the commanding officer of the 25th Precinct (northern East Harlem) is leaving:

Hello all,

It looks like the winds of change have blown through the 25 Precinct. I found out last night I will be transferred as of tomorrow. I will be moving on, and you’ll have a new commanding officer shortly. It will be physically impossible to personally thank each and every one of you.  For those I have not talked with, I would just like to say thank you for your hard work, commitment, and passion in helping us serve the upper east harlem community.

In my tenure here, we certainly have had to deal with quite tumultuous times. From the protests and demonstrations, right into an unprecedented global wide epidemic that our society has never seen before that had an untold amount of stress on both our professional and personal lives. We had the first patrol related covid fatality in the passing of PO Eric Murray. Then we had to experience one of our own getting shot by a stray bullet on new year’s day of 2022.  While these times certainly were not easy, through it all, with your help in bridging the gap between police and community, we have persevered.

It has been an honor and pleasure being the commanding officer of the 25 pct. What made it an honor and pleasure wasn’t the position, rank, or title.  It was the privilege of working with you, and for you. There were some good times and certainly some tough times, but through it all, we prevailed.  I am confident the individual stepping in my shoes will do an outstanding job and I will do everything possible to ease the transition.

Thank you for all you do for upper east harlem, and thank you for forging and strengthening our relationships.

I recently saw this quote somewhere, and it resonated with me profoundly.

“There are four things in life you can never get back…a word after it is said…trust after it is lost…time after it’s gone…and an opportunity after it’s missed”

There is nothing more valuable in life than relationships and experiences, and you have all been a fundamental part of mine for the past three years.

Thank you for everything

-Chris

Deputy Inspector Christopher Henning

Commanding Officer, 25th Precinct

120 East 119th street, NY NY 10035

(O) 212-860-6549

(M) 917-846-7194

Burglary On West 126th Street

An HNBA member sent this:

This is a video of my friend’s home being broken into today in broad daylight She lives on West 126th across the street from the women’s shelter.  Please pass this info to members of our neighborhood association.  
Thanks and be careful!

https://my.arlo.com/#/viewShared/5B003BA7FEA47CFF_202301

NYC is Greener Than Its Suburbs

Posted on by Harlem Shill

(but you knew that)

Borough President Mark Levine highlighted an article in the NY Times that mapped energy usage (carbon footprint) on a district-by-district basis and showed the stark contrast between dense urban areas with many public transit options and car-centric suburbs:

East Harlem Featured in War Era Propaganda Film

An amazing film from 1945 promoting the democratic nature of mid-century public education. Students are seen addressing their ‘comrades’, and protest and activism is promoted. The result of the students’ work is shown to be the gleaming new projects in East Harlem.

The film is short, but you can jump to 18:26 to begin to see East Harlem students and street scenes. There are views of East Harlem from the FDR Drive, from above the Park Avenue MTA viaduct, and much more. Note the virtual absence of women, and the focus on the Italian East Harlem community.

The film was produced by the U.S. Office of War information, overseas branch. It is no. 8 in the American scene series. An Italian-language version accompanies the English.

https://digitallibrary.hsp.org/index.php/Detail/objects/13235

DSNY Says No

Posted on by Harlem Shill

At our January HNBA meeting, the issue of increased street trash on our streets was raised. That week, we reached out to DSNY’s Community Affairs Liason, and asked if a DSNY representative could attend our March HNBA meeting. No answer came.

Today we sent a 2nd email, and received this message back:

Good afternoon,

I apologize for the delay.

Unfortunately, DSNY will be unable to attend your meeting.

Please send me the businesses and locations to flag for enforcement and I will do so.

Thank you

Marissa Yanni 

Community Affairs Liaison

Bureau of Community Affairs

NYC Department of Sanitation

Office: 646-885-4575

Mobile: 646-841-4250
[email protected]

Supportive Housing Coming

A new 99-person supportive housing building is slated to be built on the parking lot next to the 25th Precinct. Workers were seen cleaning the asphalt and cars were banned from the parking lot:

Jacques d’Amboise

Posted on by Harlem Shill

On Frederick Douglass Blvd. near West 138th Street is a historical marker for Jacques d’Amboise.

Jacques d’Amboise was a ballet dancer, choreographer, actor, and educator. He joined the New York City Ballet in 1949 and was named principal dancer in 1953, and later choreographed over 15 ballets for them over his career. He most famously appeared in the films Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Carousel.

As an educator, D’Amboise founded the National Dance Institute in 1976 and in 1990 received the MacArthur Fellowship. He received Kennedy Center Honors in 1995, and the National Medal of Arts in 1998.

(Harlem) Artists Wanted

As part of the Park Avenue Viaduct project, the MTA will be incorporating a commissioned permanent site-specific piece of artwork at East 116th Street. MTA Arts & Design has put out an open call for artist submissions, open through the end of January.

You can learn more about this opportunity, including selection criteria, funding available, and how to submit, on the MTA website here.

Below is the artwork at 125th and Park Avenue:

Storefronts

Posted on by Harlem Shill

Harlem, 1930’s. Storefronts that may be on a street (not an avenue), given the strong noontime shadows.

Note the postman with cap, in short sleeves:

Resolve to Start 2023 By Joining Your Community

The Office of Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine has announced the opening of the 2023 Manhattan Community Board application period. Applications are now open through 5 pm on March 17, 2023. Current members who wish to serve another term must reapply.

Eligibility: Community Board members must live, work, or have an otherwise significant interest in the neighborhoods served by the community district, and be a New York City resident. In addition, we look for applicants with histories of community involvement, expertise, skill sets, and attendance at Board meetings and who can commit to a two-year term.

To learn more about community board membership and how to apply CLICK HERE.

Holidays and The Flu

Posted on by Harlem Shill

As many of us gather with family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors, it’s important to be aware of how much flu is currently circulating and to remain vigilant for ourselves and others.

This flu season’s ferocious start has given way to record-shattering levels of transmission — and massive strains on the American health system.

In the week ending November 26, more than 34,000 positive flu tests were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from labs around the US, as shown in the orange line on the chart below. That’s more positive flu tests than have been reported in any single week during any flu season on record, going back as far as 1997.

https://www.vox.com/2022/12/6/23494948/flu-influenza-rsv-covid-vaccine-chart-tripledemic-tridemic
To get a better picture on what the flu trend is right now, go to this CDC dashboard:

https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/fluview/fluportaldashboard.html

You can fine tune it by state or even census district.

A Holiday in Harlem

Hallmark’s A Holiday in Harlem is on the screen. Filmed in Hartford, Connecticut, the holiday special is guaranteed to end happily ever after and features plenty of ugly holiday sweaters.

See this link, below, for more:

https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/a-holiday-in-harlem

1975 Madison For Sale

Posted on by Harlem Shill

The site of the former church at Madison/126th Street is being promoted as an investment opportunity. No word on the price.

                                   
Prime 80,000+ ZFA Multifamily Development Opportunity
Vested in 421-a
Corner of Madison Avenue and East 126th Street

Newmark is pleased to present the opportunity to acquire a prime development site located at 1975 Madison Avenue (“1975 Madison”, the “Site”, “Project”, or “Development”), a proposed eight-story, 93-unit luxury multi-family rental or residential condominium complex with approximately 35 underground parking spaces and approximately 3,500 square feet of premier community facility commercial space, in a rapidly improving, transit-oriented location. The Site offers potential investors a compelling opportunity to develop a boutique, luxury residential property in a prime location with high demand and the potential for significant capital appreciation.

Vested in Affordable New York /  “421-a” Providing a 35-Year Property Tax Abatement•The Project satisfied all requirements for the Affordable New York / “421-a” tax abatement program in May 2022•Extensive evidence of satisfying these conditions is available•The Project is thus eligible for the program that expired in June 2022 and will enjoy a 100% property tax abatement for the first 25 years of occupancy and a partial abatement for the subsequent 10 years•As one of the city’s last projects eligible under the expired program, 1975 Madison Avenue will enjoy a significant financial advantage to long term holders of the asset•As of today, no replacement program exists replacing 421-a, further constraining the supply of multifamily housing
Shovel Ready
1975 Madison is ready to commence construction with:•Approved plans•Advanced entitlements•Required access
Multi-Family Development Site in Manhattan, Facing Critical Housing Shortage•Demand to live in Manhattan remains robust with rents achieving new high prices, including in Harlem•The Project provides an opportunity to access one of the world’s most desirable investment markets that faces continued housing supply constraints•The tax advantages secured by the Project offer significant financial advantages, particularly to long-term holders of the asset
If you are interested in acquiring this prime development opportunity, please sign and return the attached Confidentiality Agreement and the full offering memorandum will be forwarded to you.    Ronald A. Solarz Executive Managing Director
O (212) 372-2306 | [email protected] 
M (917) 545-8862

Issa Abbassi  Director
O (212) 372-2221 | [email protected] 
M (917) 455-7373

See the full sales brochure, here:

https://f.tlcollect.com/fr2/722/54368/1975_Madison_OM-2_v4.pdf

Metropolitan Hospital and Nursing Burnout and Shortages

Our district leader William Smith also serves as the chair of the Metropolitan Hospital’s Community Advisory Board. In that capacity, William writes of the dire need for adequate compensation for Metropolitan’s hard-working nursing staff so Metropolitan can deliver world-class care.

Please read William Smith’s letter, below:

CAB-Testimony-to-Committee-on-HospitalsDownload

COVID/Flu/RSV Testing and Treatment

If you’re experiencing symptoms and don’t know what you have, now you can go to any of dozens of mobile “Test to Treat” sites around NYC and get tested for covid, flu & rsv AND if you need it get an Rx for paxlovid or tamflu *on the spot*.