Morning,
People are very concerned with good reason but we also have to deal with improving services, products and conditions. How do we handle this responsibly is the answer. I strongly urge you to also get the official responses from all three Community Boards on the re-zoning of 125th Street. CB9 (West Harlem) and CB11 (East Harlem) voted yes with conditions. CB10 (Central Harlem) voted no with conditions.
Nonetheless, the conditions are pretty consistent. Some are "in scope" and some are not hoping City Planning will consider what's called follow up actions. One of conditions is a local business requirement that will allow existing but new businesses by minorities to get an opportunity. We don't guarantee change or success but the opportunity.
Also, we are pushing for something very unique and the city is supporting our recommendation for a "cultural bonus" as an incentive for developers versus the "arts and entertainment" requirement where the definition is too vague. This way local cultural organizations would have an opportunity to get space and bring more vitality to the strip that would support more restaurants which everyone agreed is needed.
We also supported consistent streetscaping along all of 125th Street -- trees, lighting, trash receptacles, benches that would make 125th Street look more attractive. Good streetscape guidelines could help enforce open, see through gates so it wouldn't look so dark.
These are some of the additional requests local folks are asking for. Please ask more questions and learn everything that is going on. This re-zoning is a hard one and folks are pushing for compromise and some thoughtfulness AGAINST city regulations and greed.
Savona Bailey-McClain
