TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 16 Message From the Harlem-on-the- The Project Unfolds: Timeline River Sponsors: West Harlem Environmental Action, 20 Manhattan Community Planning Developing a Community Vision Board #9 24 6 A Community’s Recommendation Harlem Piers: A Historical Overview 30 Making a Vision Real 8 Harlem Piers: An Environmental 34 Justice Perspective Appendix 10 36 Faulty Proposals, Then Acknowledgements Worthy Plans 14 West Harlem: Organizing for Change Published by WE ACT for ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, 2004 AKA West Harlem Environmental Action 1 2 A Message From the Sponsors of the Harlem-On-The-River Community Vision Plan Peggy Shepard, Executive Director, West Harlem Environmental Action est Harlem Environmental Action (WE ACT)—an organization working to Wachieve environmental justice—is proud to present this book as a community- based perspective of the history, conception, and planning process behind Harlem-on-the- River, a project to develop the Harlem water- front. Environmental justice draws together the insights of the civil rights and the environmental movements to address the unfair laws and poli- cies which have led to disinvestment and disre- pair in communities of color. The deplorable practice of directing the most burdensome, nox- ious facilties to low-income communities of color; and the pattern of channeling state, municipal, and federal funds away from com- from groups around the country unwilling to been engaged for over a decade. WE ACT munities that bear the scars of deliberate neg- bear conditions of patent neglect and blatant believes that Harlem-on-the-River is a communi- lect most visibly, has prompted a loud response discrimination any longer. By demanding com- ty-based planning model that should be repli- munity participation in the decision-making cated nationally to develop public space and processes that affect our health and quality of encourage community-based economic develop- WE ACT is a non-profit, community- life, environmental justice ensures that bad poli- ment with state, municipal and federal funds. based, environmental justice organization cies are not foisted on our communities. As you will read, the community planning dedicated to building community power As such, since its inception in 1998, process entailed several community-wide meet- to fight environmental racism and Harlem-on-the-River has involved the active ings that culminated in a one-day design char- improve environmental health, protection participation of residents, representatives of rette. There, more than 150 community resi- and policy in communities of color. community-based organizations and institutions, dents and stakeholders collaborated in drafting WE ACT accomplishes its mission elected officials, local businesses, and govern- a community plan for development of the through community organizing, education ment agencies to guarantee a just outcome for waterfront. and training, advocacy and research, and our community. The Harlem-on-the-River plan represents the policy development. WE ACT facilitated Harlem-on-the-River in missing link in achieving a continuous green- partnership with Manhattan Community way along the Hudson River in Manhattan. The Planning Board #9, with which WE ACT has Hudson River Greenway, itself the product of 3 intense negotiations that took place among Harlem-on-the-River project. community and civic groups and various state On October 21, 2002, Governor Pataki, agencies in the early 1990s, is a continuous Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Manhattan stretch of pedestrian-friendly green space com- Borough President C. Virginia Fields unveiled prised by Hudson River Park from the Battery the West Harlem Master Plan at a press confer- to 59th Street on the West Side of Manhattan, ence at the Harlem Piers. The first phase of and Riverside Park on the West Side. Harlem- development is slated to begin in fall 2004. on-the-River is a vision plan to bridge these There has been a commitment of capital invest- green spaces and enhance waterfront access, ments: $2 million from the city, $4 million from economic development, and regional trans- the state, $5 million from the Upper Manhattan portation alternatives in the West Harlem com- Empowerment Zone, and $500,000 from New munity. York State Parks. As we were beginning our organizing in The West Harlem community, as well as 1998, the NYC Economic Development Northern Manhattan neighborhoods, has many Corporation (EDC) issued a Request For environmental burdens. Now we have the Proposals (RFP) for the Harlem Piers waterfront opportunity to experience a significant environ- site. Two of the development proposals called mental benefit and to be another vital link in for a 33-story hotel and a 6-story motel. The Manhattan’s Hudson River Greenway trail pro- community felt those uses were inappropriate viding waterfront access for all Manhattan and unresponsive to community needs. neighborhoods. Through organizing, strong advocacy and sup- Now, as a community, we must develop the port by civic and environmental groups, WE infrastructure and capacity to program and sus- ACT and other concerned Harlem residents tain the waterfront park. Our objectives should were able to persuade the EDC not to select include monitoring the design and construction, either of the submitted development proposals. and supporting transportation and streetscape In January 2001, the community won a vic- enhancements that will provide regional trans- tory when the NYC EDC announced that it portation options and economic opportunities. would fund a master plan for the Harlem Piers Our focus is to bring an aesthetic benefit that based upon the vision developed by the WE improves recreation, education, and quality of ACT / Community Board 9-Manhattan commu- life for residents who have borne the dispropor- nity planning process. tionate burden of municipal polluting facilities Crucial to this project were Manhattan in Manhattan. Borough President C. Virginia Fields and former WE ACT appreciates the commitment that New York City Council member Stanley Michels, has been shown by Congress Member Charles who both committed funds from their budgets B. Rangel, Governor Pataki, Mayor Bloomberg, to complete funding for EDC’s Master Plan. By Manhattan Borough President Fields, and for- June 26, 2001, Secretary of State Randy Daniels mer Council Member Michels to making this and State Commissioner of Parks, Recreation waterfront park a reality. and Historic Preservation Bernadette Castro Hooray for the community residents and came to the Harlem Piers on behalf of stakeholders who worked together over the last WE ACT Board Chair Dennis Derryck Governor George Pataki, to officially announce several years to develop, advocate for, and help the awarding of state grants (for planning and implement a successful plan that is responsive pier construction) totaling $800,000 to the to the needs of our community! 4 enjoy various cultures, ideals, and dreams is COMMUNITY BOARD 9- what distinguishes Community Board 9. Community Board 9 has nine perma- MANHATTAN nent committees that guide the work of the Board by addressing the interests of resi- Jordi Reyes-Montblanc, dents, businesses, and institutions: Chair Community Board No. 9 Housing, Land Use & Zoning handles all land use, zoning, zoning variances, and Manhattan housing issues and processes, as mandated by the City Charter. Piers/Waterfront/Economic The Harlem-On-The-River Project has Development promotes area development, been a source of hope, vision and pride for advocates in favor of resident concerns and our community. Community Board 9 has coordinates events and projects to those strongly promoted this project, which will ends. bring a better quality of life and improved Uniform Services & Transportation economic development to the area. handles liquor licensing applications, street Community Board 9 fully supports the closings, and issues with the New York concept and thanks West Harlem Police Department (NYPD), New York Fire Environmental Action for their great contri- Department (NYFD), Department of butions in making it possible to bring this Sanitation (DSNY), and Metropolitan project to fruition. Transportation Authority (MTA). Community Board 9 encompasses the We Are Home To world famous churches Senior Issues advocates, and monitors area from 110th Street in the South to 155th and attractions including: Convent Avenue service and laws affecting senior citizens. Street in the North, St. Nicholas, Edgecombe, Baptist Church, Church of the Intercession, Youth/Education/Libraries advocates Bradhurst, Manhattan, and Morningside Cathedral of St. John the Divine, The Riverside and monitors availability and quality of serv- Avenues in the East, and the Hudson River Church, Riverbank State Park, Grant’s Tomb, ices for youth. on the West. Community Board 9-Manhattan and Alexander Hamilton’s Grange House. 197-A Plan plans for development, has the largest concentration of institutions We Are Home To famous Harlem neigh- growth, and land use for the district. of higher learning in the world, many borhoods: Hamilton Heights-historic district, Landmarks/Parks promotes landmark- famous churches, handsome neighborhoods, mostly homes and co-ops; Manhattanville, ing and advocates for various parks issues. and a diverse resident community. mixed uses; City College, large housing devel- Communications maintains the web- We Are Home To the following institu- opments; Harlem Piers, industrial; Morningside site, produces a newsletter, and monitors tions of