Coalition Fights to Save Harlem Landmark, Seeks Public Support

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The following statement was submitted today by the Historic Districts Council. 

On April 17, 2018, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) held a public hearing for the proposed Central Harlem 130-132 Streets Historic District. The testimony at the public hearing overwhelmingly supported the designation of these special blocks in Harlem, whose aesthetic beauty is only surpassed by the significance of their cultural history. The history which happened here — from the artists of the Harlem Renaissance, to the organization of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 — transformed the world.

This small, three-block district is now in danger of being chipped away by a building owner who opposes landmarking. The threatened property is 161-165 West 132nd Street, a four-story Classical Revival garage building with an intact facade, cornice, and original windows on the second floor.  Our coalition, including Save Harlem Now!; Manhattan Community Board 10; and the West 130th Street and West 132nd Street Block Associations call for your help to get this historic district designated intact. The owner has hired a well-connected lobbying firm to remove his building from the district - we need to use our voices to contact our elected officials and tell them to listen to the community: No carve outs in Harlem!

We are especially concerned that after the LPC designates this district intact, the City Council will not. There are powerful forces at work to remove this building, despite overwhelming community support and the LPC deliberately including it in the proposed district. 

Please click here to send a letter to the City Council today.

Thank you!