Hello Harlem Neighbors!

Uptown Grand Central is reigniting Party on Park – a Harlem celebration on a closed-to-traffic Park Avenue between 125th and 116th Street – on Sunday, October 1st.  

Party on Park will be from Noon until 4 pm and we need you to help staff a Harlem Neighborhood Block Association table.  We’ll have cards and flyers for you to hand out, and otherwise all you’d have to do would be to enjoy the vibe, listen to the great music, and say Hi to your neighbors.

If you could volunteer an hour or two on October 1st, at any time between Noon and 4pm, please email us to let us know at: JoinHNBA@gmail.com 

 We really hope you can help.

An Open Letter to NYC’s Commissioner Raine (Department of Buildings)

Dear Commissioner Raine,

I’m writing to ask that you stop the planned demolition of the Landmark houses at 66-68 W 119th Street in Harlem and work with the owner to have them redevelop the properties to their original splendor. I am the immediate neighbor at 64 W 119th Street.

The buildings are part of the Mount Morris Park Historic District, which remains one of New York City’s most vibrant African-American communities.  Preserving its historic buildings and streets highlights our rich and diverse history, and the social and cultural influences of our different communities. It is very important to the community that Harlem retains its culture through its architecture and people; as the world around us changes, we should try to retain a bit of Harlem’s history by preserving its landscape.

The owner should be allowed to restore the properties under the supervision of the DOB and the Landmark Preservation Commission. If the owner can perform repairs to the satisfaction of your agency, there should be no reason for the DOB to rush through an unnecessary demolition.

I and the other immediate neighbor at 70 West 119th Street are convinced that all safety concerns can be satisfied as a standard matter of course in doing the restoration.  

Best regards