Upper Manhattan Receives $25 Million Boost for Tourism

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the EZ works Quarterly News For and About the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Vol. II No. 2 Summer 1998 Uptown Residents First Community Upper Manhattan Receives $25 Million Begin New Home Buyers Fair Boost for Tourism, Entertainment, Careers at Attracts 3,000 Workforce Development & Technical Broadway Video Assistance Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Positions Area to Capitalize on New York City’s Booming Tourism Industry; Latest Round of Approvals Creates 1,000 Jobs

n Monday, June 15, 1998, the of jazz (recordings, instruments, UMEZ Board of Directors approved manuscripts, photographs, cos-

Franklin Bonifacio photo an $8.8 million tumes, etc.), a library, concert and re- Rodney Lopez photo Over 3,000 local residents attended tourism initia- Left: UMEZ President Deborah Wright, the First Annual Harlem Community O cording center, tive, along with Some of the Local Businesses Empire State Development Corp. Senior Home Buyers Fair on Saturday, May investments in media center/ Vice President Randy Daniels, and Organizations Assisted by 29, 1998. The fair was sponsored by office and retail archive (for old Congressman Charles Rangel, Broadway the Greater Harlem Real Estate Board Latest UMEZ Approvals films and other Video Vice President Mark Yates and HUD development. (GHREB), the Fannie Mae Foundation, Edwins Cafe Secretary Representative Bill de Blasio cut jazz-related Chase Manhattan Bank and UMEZ. This action fol- Lenox Lounge the ribbon that officially opens Broadway media), a gift The all-day fair, held at North General lows UMEZ’s Patsys Pizzeria Video for business. shop and a Hospital (NGH), included free May 4, 1998 ap- Showmans Cafe On April 27, 1998, government offi- Wells Restaurant seminars on the basics of home proval of over commercially cials and community leaders cel- buying, renovating historic property, $13 million for operated res- ebrated Broadway Video’s Harlem Gateway LDC taurant/night- facility ribbon cutting and the hiring credit, and buying affordable entertainment club. of 12 local residents through the housing in Upper Manhattan. and retail at- Greater Harlem Real Estate Board STRIVE/ASAP program. tractions, Above, L-R: UMEZ Director of Gov’t Harlem Venture Group workforce de- Business Superintendent and and Community Affairs Steven Recruitment velopment and Mount Morris Park Assn. Bank Execs Spend Day Carbo, NGH Director of Public Affairs and Retention Blanca Perez, GHREB President technical assis- United TIL Coalition of Harlem in Harlem Kenyatta Punter, State Senator Olga tance initia- The VIBE Mendez, UMEZ General Counsel tives. These and Washington Heights Vendors Assn. Lucille McEwen, GHREB Co- other initia- Store, a col- Chairman Tony Fair. tives, totaling (See page 3 for local companies laboration be- $24.6 million funded by BRISC.) tween Quincy Note: Maximize your chances to were approved Jones’ VIBE Ven- purchase a home! On Saturday, by the New York Em- tures, the control- September 12, 1998, the Fannie Mae powerment Zone Corporation’s ling entity for VIBE Magazine, and P/ Foundation will hold its Sixth Board of Directors on July 10,1998. N Entertainment, a corporation Karl Crutchfield photo Annual Home Buying Fair at formed by three young African Elizabeth McCaul, Acting American entrepreneurs will sell Madison Square Garden from 10 Heritage Tourism is the Future Superintendent of Banks (seated, music along with video games, second from right) led top executives a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and The UMEZ Tourism Initiative books and apparel designed to cel- from various banks, the New York workshops will be held in English ebrate and appeal to urban contem- City Partnership and UMEZ in a tour will accelerate Upper Manhattan’s fo- and Spanish. of Harlem. McCaul hopes to increase cus on heritage tourism, the fastest porary music listeners and will fea- the presence of lenders uptown. growing segment of the tourism in- ture urban personalities in music, dustry. film, sports and literature. UMEZ will use $8.8 million to Black Americans of Achieve- The Shovels Are Here! embark on a comprehensive ap- ment, an African American-con- proach to support its overall mission trolled publicly-traded company will One of Harlem’s most talked a decade, is the owner of the land to create jobs and generate greater create a local telemarketing call cen- about developments is one step upon which the complex will be built community wealth. Initial projects ter that will train and employ up to closer to reality as public and pri- and an equity partner in the venture. include: design and formation of a 400 workers in high growth jobs. vate partners closed on Harlem USA will house retailers Tourism Council; an Adopt-an-Av- Training and placement will be pro- Harlem USA, the 275,000 including The Disney Store, HMV enue pilot to improve the physical vided in conjunction with local or- square foot retail and enter- Records, Cineplex Odeon, Old Navy, streetscape on Lenox Avenue be- ganizations. UMEZ will provide up to $2 mil- tainment complex at West 125th Modell’s and the New York Sports tween 110th and 125th Streets; an his- lion in loan funds for Madison 125 at Street and Frederick Douglass Bou- Club. Chase Bank will also operate a toric preservation loan fund; re- East 125th Street between Fifth and branch on the site. search to define tourism traffic up- levard. Madison Avenues. This project will Grid Properties, the Common- On Monday, July 27, 1998, CLDC, town; a visitors center developmen- tal study; and a marketing and pro- remove blight and stimulate devel- wealth Local Development Corpora- Grid Properties, Chase Manhattan motion kickoff. opment on the eastern portion of tion (CLDC), Chase Manhattan Bank Bank and UMEZ held a th The National Jazz Museum, a 125 Street. The center, being devel- and the Upper Manhattan Empow- groundbreaking cer- New York non-profit organization, oped by Madison 125, L.L.C. — a pri- erment Zone (UMEZ) signed off on emony to celebrate received a grant to develop, in con- vate developer — will provide 26,100 the $64 million project that will cre- Harlem USA’s develop- junction with the Smithsonian Insti- square feet of built-to-suit office ate 500 permanent jobs and 200 con- ment. Local and national tution, a proposed 65,000 sq. ft. mul- space for the Social Security Admin- struction jobs. In addition to the jobs business leaders, public offi- tipurpose facility that will recapture istration and 20,300 square feet of created for community residents, cials and communty residents at- Harlem’s jazz legacy. The facility is commercial retail space. Through its Real Estate Initia- CLDC, a local non-profit organiza- tended. See the next edition of The to include a collection commemo- tive, UMEZ has identified real estate tion who spearheaded the project for EZ Works for highlights. rating the history and development See Boost, p. 4

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Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone NON-PROFIT ORG. Development Corporation U. S. POSTAGE PAID 290 Lenox Avenue New York, N.Y. New York, NY 10027 Permit No. 1002 Message from the Chairman Commercial he end of the Empowerment for 75% of all jobs created and will Zone’s second year is an exciting time receive a federal tax credit for hiring Revitalization for for all of us. This year’s 11 approvals residents of the Empowerment Washington Board of Directors Tbring our total to 40 initiatives, for a Zone. These businesses will be wel- Richard D. Parsons two-year investment of over $50 mil- come additions to Upper Manhattan Heights and Chair lion. Our latest investments will residents, more than 70 percent of build on Upper Manhattan’s whom shop outside the community Eugene L. McCabe Inwood Vice Chair strengths as a hertiage tourism des- for goods and services. Construction tination as well as provide assistance has begun and is expected to be Rolando T. Acosta to our residents, small busi- completed during the win- nesses and community- ter of 2000. Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. based organizations. Harlem USA is leading An $8.8 million tourism Dr. Howard Dodson a resurgence in commercial initiative will begin to bring and economic development Upper Manhattan’s tourism Rod Jackman in Upper Manhattan. Its economy in line with the rest Rev. Dr. William James of the city. UMEZ will work high-profile tenants will in- with community partners in crease the area’s visibility David R. Jones ensuring that tourism efforts and enhance business activ- Franklin Bonifacio photo preserve and celebrate the ity in the community. Robert R. Kiley community’s character. Furthermore, the large The Audubon Partnership for Eco- Maria A. Luna Over $7 million number of shop- nomic Development (APED) is one will be invested pers and tourists of the participants in the Upper Man- William Lynch, Jr. over the next two This year’s who visit hattan Empowerment Zone’s Com- years in preparing Harlem USA will mercial Revitalization Initiative. The Dr. Megan E. McLaughlin our residents for approvals bring add to the de- Initiative is a two-year pilot program Leigh M. Miller 21st century jobs mand for local to stimulate commerce on key up- our total to 40 services both and in helping our town retail corridors and build the Juana I. Pacheco local residents and inside and out- initiatives, for a capacity of local merchants to ex- organizations in side of the com- Dr. Muriel Petioni pand. On May 29, 1998, the UMEZ accessing EZ and two-year plex, which will other funding. We also benefit lo- presented APED with a check for Deborah R. Quiñones investment of over $750,000 to implement the initiative will also help EZ cal entrepre- Mary D. Redd residents gain $50 million. neurs through in Washington Heights and Inwood. some of the tools increased foot The initiative was approved by the Rev. Dr. Adolph Roberts they need to acquire traffic. New York Empowerment Zone on a home. All of these achievements are June 13, 1997. José R. Sanchez Small businesses have also ben- building blocks for our third year, Adelaide L. Sanford efited from EZ investment. Most re- when we hope to accelerate our busi- Pictured from left to right: Kelvin cently, BRISC has helped four addi- ness recruitment efforts in business Crucey, UMEZ Corporate Accoun- Barry F. Sullivan tional Upper Manhattan businesses services and health care. Assisting in tant; Herman Velazquez, BRISC Ex- gain access to over $200,000 in capi- Ernestine Welch improving our physical landscape ecutive Director; Carmen Diaz, APED tal (see pg. 3). Vendors in La Plaza de and local access to first rate technol- las Americas in Washington Heights Loan Officer; Walther Delgado, APED Rev. Dr. Reginald Williams ogy will be emphasized. As always, will be able to expand their busi- Executive Director; Curtis Archer, nesses thanks to a $200,000 UMEZ we look to you for advice and sup- BRISC Commercial Revitalization investment. port. Director. In addition, our largest invest- As the unmistakable momentum ment came to fruition on July 27th, builds we hope you’ll agree that for Board of Directors when Harlem USA broke ground. Upper Manhattan: The Future’s Looking Up! Derrick D. Cephas Harlem USA will create 700 jobs and Chair bring national retailers to 125th BMCC Uptown Street. The developer and retailers The Borough of Manhattan Commu- Edward G. Lloyd have agreed to target local residents nity College is now offering college Vice Chair credit courses at two locations in Carlton A. Brown Board Spotlight Upper Manhattan: Harry Gay The EZ Works turns the spotlight on two board members Theresa Towers who are active community leaders. 125th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Leonard Maisel Rev. Dr. Reginald Williams Maria Luna Jr. Blvd. (7th Ave.) Serafin Mariel George Washington High School José O. Montero Rev. Dr. Reginald Williams Maria Luna has served the 191st Street & Audubon Ave. has an extensive record of Washington Heights and Barry F. Sullivan service to Harlem and East Inwood communities in Courses include: George H. Weldon Harlem. various capacities for many Rev. Williams is Direc- years. She is the first vice Mark A. Willis English tor of Operations for Ad- chair of Community Board Computing dicts Rehabilitation Center 12 and once served as its chairper- Deborah C. Wright Fund and pastor of the Charity Bap- Speech son for four years and is now the tist Church of Christ. He has spent Business Board’s representative to UMEZ. his last seven years working with and Statistics Her board memberships in- advocating for addicts in rehabilita- Accounting tion and homebound people with clude: the Ambulatory Care Network Corporation, Fort Washington Senior AIDS. He previously served as For more information call the BMCC Center, ARC Seniors Center, The Fort Deputy Executive Director of God’s Admissions Office at (212) 346-8100 Board of Directors Washington Armory Track, and Love We Deliver. or visit its downtown campus at 199 Healthy Heart of Washington Heights He has served as trustee for the Chambers Street. Charles A. Gargano Terrence Cardinal Cooke Health & Inwood. Chair Center; Chairman of the Anti-Nar- Her affiliations include the Na- CVB Head Speaks cotic Committee, Baptist Ministers’ tional Womens Political Caucus, Na- Rudy Washington Vice Chair Conference of Greater New York & tional Latino Women Association and at “EZ Day” Vicinity; and as Special Assistant to the Caucus of Women of Color. Congressman Charles B. Rangel former Mayor David N. Dinkins. He Ms. Luna’s work in the commu- has also served as Chaplain & Execu- nity includes organizing tenants as- Congressman José E. Serrano tive Assistant to the Metropolitan sociations, sponsoring naturaliza- José L. Ithier Hospital Association. tion drives and immigration work- Rev. Williams is a member of 100 shops, and working with local police Deborah C. Wright Black Men and serves on Manhattan precincts. Andrew M. Cuomo Community Board 11. He holds a B.A. Ms. Luna is currently an account- in Sociology and Psychology from Karl Crutchfield photo Secretary, U.S. Department of ing supervisor for the American Mu- Housing & Urban Development the University of Connecticut, a B.D. On February 20th, Fran Reiter, President (Member Ex Officio) seum of Natural History and holds a of the New York Convention and Visitors from Manhattan Bible Institute and B.S. in Accounting, B.S. in Natural Sci- M.P.A. from American International Bureau spoke on “Entertainment and

Tourism in Upper Manhattan” for UMEZ’s ences and B.A. in Business Adminis- ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ College. tration. She has resided in the Empowerment Zone Day. The day was Rev. Williams and his wife Heights for over 35 years. an opportunity for community residents Sandra, have two daughters, Naomi to hear firsthand about the UMEZ UMEZ is equally funded by the city, Nicole and Tabitha Christine. He re- investment strategy and participate in state and federal governments sides in Harlem. several workshops. Over 400 people through the New York Empowerment attended the event at the Julia de Burgos Zone Corporation. Latino Cultural Center in East Harlem. 2 News from the Business Resource & InvestmentBRIEFSBRIEFSBRIEFS Service Center Summer 1998 BRISC Loans Support Restaurant, Retail and Bed & Breakfast Businesses

St. Mark’s Place: $25,000 RISC ended fiscal year 1998 with loans to four local businesses. Through St. Mark’s Place is the recipient of a $25,000 BRISC loan. Located at 2337 Frederick BRISC, Upper Manhattan businesses accessed over $1.5 million in capital to Douglass Boulevard at West 125th Street, St. Mark’s has grown from its original date. Through its Investment Fund, BRISC provided loans that helped create Band expand the small businesses described below. location at Mart 125 to its current retail space in only two years. Owner Mark Brantley, a third generation Harlem entrepreneur, initially sold men’s clothing: Cafe Largo: $100,000 suits, shirts, belts and sportswear. However, after a few samples of women’s and Located at 3387 Broadway at West 137th Street, Café Largo is a full service restau- children’s clothing flew off the rack, he decided to expand his inventory. St. rant that offers continental as well as Latin American and Italian cuisine. The Mark’s Place will now carry women and children’s sportswear, casual wear and restaurant, which opened on June 6th near City College, offers both take out and dresses. The BRISC loan will be used to purchase the additional inventory and dining services for up to 70 people. Marc Calcano, a lifetime resident of the West for store renovations to increase display and storage space. Harlem/Washington Heights community, owns the business. The $100,000 BRISC investment was used for leasehold improvements, equipment purchases, Sylvia’s Creative Novelty: $25,000 inventory and working capital. Sylvia’s Creative Novelty, a start-up owned by Sylvia Lorenzo, is located at 1753 Lexington Avenue at 110th Street. Ms. Lorenzo opened this storefront beneath Urban Jem Guest House: $50,000 her apartment earlier this spring. Sylvia’s Creative Novelty is a party goods The Urban Jem Guest House, owned by Jane Alex Mendelson, is a four-room store, offering a wide variety of products for all special occasions, including bed & breakfast located at 2005 Fifth Avenue. Ms. Mendelson purchased the invitations, cards and helium balloons. In addition, Ms. Lorenzo creates cus- 1878 brownstone in February 1997 and renovated it to include two studio apart- tom handicrafts, wedding and baptism gowns. She also consults clients on the ments with a private kitchen and bath and two furnished rooms which share a planning of functions such as weddings and sweet sixteens. The BRISC invest- bathroom and kitchen. The $50,000 BRISC investment will be used for lease- ment will be used for leasehold improvements, equipment purchases and work- hold improvements, working capital expenses and debt consolidation. ing capital expenses. Franklin Bonifacio photo Franklin Bonifacio photo Rodney Lopez photo Franklin Bonifacio photo Cafe Largo Urban Jem Guest House St. Marks Place Sylvias Creative Novelty Friends and family celebrate the Jane Mendelson is welcoming more Customers have a greater choice of Sylvia Lorenzo, standing, amongst opening of Cafe Largo with owner and more guests at her new bed & apparel at St. Mark’s Place. Owner the many items for sale at her new Marc Calcano (5th from left). breakfast on Fifth Avenue. Mark Brantley showcases some of store. the store’s clothing. BRISC/Trickle Up Program Supports Day Free Legal and Business Counseling Care Providers and Other Home Based ATTENTION START-UP Sessions at BRISC ENTREPRENEURS AND Businesses Legal Counseling business plan. The Hunts Point pro- SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS wenty Upper Manhattan resi- Every Tuesday from gram is the only EAP in the state of- 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. IN UPPER MANHATTAN: dents now have the financial support fered in Spanish, which is particularly they need to start or expand home- important to these entrepreneurs -- For Established Businesses and Start- based businesses all are Spanish-speak- up Entrepreneurs ONLY. In September, BRISC will Tthanks to the Trickle Up ing immigrants from The assigned attorney will: listen to Program and BRISC. the Dominican Repub- questions and concerns; provide begin its next Business The money allows lic and Ecuador. legal counseling, including advice on Workshop Series. The these entrepreneurs to On Thursday, April appropriate action; and meet with acquire the tools they 30, 1998, two East clients on a “one-on-one” private workshops will provide need to expand their consultation. Harlem residents, five important information on: businesses. In addi- Central Harlem resi- Sessions are 30 minutes and by Rodney Lopez photo tion, BRISC will provide dents and one Wash- appointment only. Discussion should be Selecting the Right Business the entrepreneurs with Trickle Up Day Care of business issues only (no housing, Participants in Washington ington Heights resident criminal, family or personal issues). Structure, Strategic technical assistance in received Trickle Up Requirements: business must be located writing full business Heights and the some of the little ones they care for. grants each to assist in the Upper Manhattan area; Marketing, Computer and plans as they move to- with the development entrepreneurs must reside in Upper wards qualifying for a Manhattan (above East 96th St. & West Internet Needs for Small of their home based 110th St.); and must present business card loan. businesses. The recipi- and/or personal identification. Businesses, Real Estate and On Monday, April ents, six women and Sponsored by: BRISC and Paul, Weiss, Leasing, and Accessing 20, 1998, BRISC pre- two men, have a vari- Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison sented 12 checks of ety of businesses which Capital. All seminars are $500 each to entrepre- Business Counseling include home cleaning conducted by experienced neurs in the family day services; silver jewelry; Every Thursday from care business at a cer- Rodney Lopez photo 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. business professionals Praxis owner, Diana Taitt, African-themed post- emony at the Northern shares an item from her art ers, photos & prints; S.C.O.R.E. (Service Corps of Retired committed to seeing your Manhattan Improve- business. property management; Executives) Representatives will be ment Corporation in spiritual, natural, & present to answer questions, help business grow. To find out Washington Heights. health publications; with business issues, give feedback more, call BRISC at (212) This initiative is a special part- family day care; beeper wholesale on operating or starting a business, nership among several organiza- and distribution; and a T-shirt design and other small business topics. By 876-2246. appointment only. S.C.O.R.E. services tions. Sheltering Arms Children’s Ser- & production business. are free of charge. vice will provide the training neces- BRISC staff will continue to meet sary for Family Day Care certification Please call (212) 876-2246 for with these entrepreneurs on a more information. and will provide the entrepreneurs monthly basis to monitor their with clients from its waiting lists. progress in meeting projections In addition, Skadden, Arps, Slate, 290 Lenox Avenue, 2nd Floor made to spend the initial grant of New York, NY 10027 Meagher, & Flom provided legal as- $500 and to receive a final award of (212) 876-2246 sistance in child care issues and the $200 at the end of three months. Ad- Herman Velázquez, Executive Director Hunts Point Business Outreach Cen- ditional support services will be of- Alisa Joseph, Deputy Director ter has offered space in their Entre- fered through the BRISC’s Business Elaine Williams, Loan Officer preneur Assistance Program (EAP) to Information Center. Jessica Rodríguez, Loan Officer permit each participant to develop a Manuel Cabrero, Business Development Specialist 3 To help local residents take ad- Translating Your Vision Into Boost vantage of the city’s focus on priva- Contd from page 1 tizing government-owned buildings, Success UMEZ has approved $1 million for a firms to offer businesses profes- Barnard-Columbia, City College and UMEZ Team Up to Home Buyer Education and Home sional assistance in optimizing their Owner Assistance Initiative, which Create Business Plan Guide search for available property. An es- will inform residents of home-buy- sential component of realtors’ abil- ing opportunities in the area, provide he most critical part of the EZ funding process is the proposal. The EZ, ity to provide this service will be the credit counseling and connect them similar to banks, foundations, and venture capital funds, relies on a clear and development of a real estate data- with other resources and services complete statement of ideas in order to fund a project. base for Upper Manhattan. UMEZ needed to buy and maintain a home. THowever, putting a proposal or business plan together isn’t easy. That’s will work with the Greater Harlem why UMEZ funded a University Technical Assistance Consortium last summer Real Estate Board to develop this da- Workforce Development and Other to provide assistance to individuals and organizations in proposal writing and tabase, along with a user manual and Human Capital Initiatives business plan development. training workshops for local brokers. What grew out of the Consortium was a manual that walks applicants To prepare local residents for through the process of developing a business plan: Translating Your Vision Into Small Business and jobs created through its business re- Success - Basic Manual For Preparing A Business Plan. Non-Profit Development cruitment and small business initia- The manual includes sections on Developing Your Business Plan, the Fi- tives, UMEZ approved a two-year $6 nancial Plan and Supporting Docu- Five existing Upper Manhattan million Workforce Development Ini- ments. It also includes numerous establishments, the Lenox Lounge, tiative. The Initiative is employer- worksheets to assist the entrepreneur Well’s Restaurant, Showman’s Café, driven and leads directly to job in outlining cash flow, operating Edwin’s Café and the original Patsy’s placement. In addition, $50,000 was budgets and other crucial financial Pizzeria are all well-known Uptown, committed to a Summer Youth Em- analyses. The appendices provide and some get an occasional crowd ployment initiative which will link valuable tips on writing, presenta- of tourists who have heard (mostly The Valley, Inc. with Time Warner to tion, packaging, not-for-profit by word-of-mouth) of their good train and provide summer employ- fundraising, and a technical assis- food, jazz and/or hospitality. UMEZ ment for 50 high school students. tance directory and glossary of terms. has committed $3 million to a Res- The manual is only one part of a taurant Initiative designed to help Washington Heights Vendors Market larger UMEZ Technical Assistance these restauranteurs raise the com- Receives Permanent Shelter Initiative. Basic and advanced tech- petitive level of their businesses and nical assistance in proposal and increase their customer base. The UMEZ will provide a $200,000 business plan development will be local restaurateurs will be eligible for grant for La Plaza de Las Americas, offered by various providers later this expansion capital upon completion the only outdoor vendors market in year (see Boost story, this page). of the planning stage. Washington Heights, located on 175th Translating Your Vision Into Suc- UMEZ has also approved $1.5 Street between Broadway and cess is available in both English and million for a Technical Assistance Wadsworth Avenues. The goal of this Spanish and was prepared by the Initiative to help build the capacity initiative is to make the market more Barnard-Columbia Center for Urban of local organizations to secure funds attractive to neighborhood shoppers, Policy, the City College of New York’s from various sources, including tourists and vendors by increasing Office for Urban and Governmental UMEZ. Experienced technical assis- marketing and creating an all- Affairs and UMEZ. You can obtain a tance providers will offer general weather environment. copy by visiting or contacting UMEZ proposal-writing workshops, one- at (212) 410-0030 or BRISC at (212) on-one consulting, specialized work- 876-2246. shops and management training courses over a two-year period.

What’s the EZ works The EZ Works is published by the

The latest news from Upper Manhattan Upper Manhattan Rincon Musical East Harlem has a new place to purchase the latest Salsa and Merengue CDs. is a new music store at Empowerment Zone 1936 Third Avenue and 106th Street. In addition to CDs and cassettes, Rincon offers a selection of Latin percussion and other instruments. The 15,000 square foot store opened on April 15, 1998. Development Corporation 290 Lenox Avenue In February, Inwood gained two new businesses thanks to the efforts of an enterprising entrepreneur. Josefina Rodriguez has opened Josephines Spa at 17 Nagle Avenue. The spa offers the work-weary customer a choice of massages, New York, NY 10027 facials, waxing, sauna and other services. Next door, at 17A Nagle Avenue, Ms. Rodriguez also operates B&J Antiques and Collections. The store buys and sells antiques and restores old furniture. Its staff also provides interior decoration (212) 410-0030 services. www.umez.org

The first African American interior design show house came to Harlem in June in support of the Harlem United E-mail: [email protected] Community AIDS Center. The Harlem United Show House 1998 celebrated the work of nationally-renowned African American interior designers at 459 West 141st Street in the Hamilton Heights Historic District. In addition to showcasing the designers’ work and raising funds for Harlem United, the show’s press increased the appeal of Hamilton Heights as Deborah C. Wright a tourist destination. President and CEO

On April 6th, HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo designated a one-halfsquare mile area of Central/East Harlem as HUD’s Nancy M. Devine Homeownership Zone twelfth and awarded New York City a $4.65 million grant. The grant is expected to attract an Chief Program Officer additional $42.7 million in investment to the area and create 119 new homes. Lucille L. McEwen Washington Heights/Inwood Neighborhood Strategies Project (NSP) Northern Manhattan The , through the General Counsel Improvement Corporation, is one of three economic development initiatives in New York City that received a $4,871,904 welfare-to-work grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The grant will aid NSP in serving 200 hard-to-serve welfare Rhona A. Gibson families over a 30-month period with job searching, testing and assessment, retention support and career development Director of New Business Devel- and advancement services. The grant is being administered by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the New opment and Strategic Planning York Community Trust. Judia E. Black Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement In April, (HCCI) received a HUD Safe Neighborhood Grant Director of Marketing and for $217,500. The grant will be used for community policing and other efforts to improve the quality of life. Communications

On June 17, 1998, President Clinton announced nearly $40 million in grants to establish 21st Century Community Steven M. Carbó Community School District Five Learning Centers which are after-school programs for children based in local schools. , Director of Community and which covers parts of Central and West Harlem, was awarded $1.2 million to implement this initiative. One of the most Government Affairs highly competitive programs ever managed by the Department of Education, only 5% of the applicants were awarded grants. Rodney E. López Editor Have a News item? Send it to Rodney López, Editor, The EZ Works at the street or e-mail address at right.