It's truly sad how short sighted some people are regarding this proposal. I wonder how many people that say we "Harlemites" should welcome luxury office buildings and skyscrapers actually live in Harlem or are they part of the "new tenants". Here because residing in Harlem is "en vogue". The community residents that you speak of like Michael Henry Adams are not against development. We are against a plan that was not created with input from the very people who will be affected by the changes and pushed out. People talk about the "jobs" that will be created. I pose a question to you, have you walked down 125th Street lately. Do you see the overwhelming number of vendors who line the streets? Where are the business opportunities and plans to include them? They are mostly Entrepreneurs seeking financial grants and loans to build their businesses. Do you question why is the Mart 125 closed. This space was designed to serve as an incubation where Entrepreneurs would be able to sell their products, while receiving skills to help them transition to become business owners. There are business owners still questioning what happened to this effort and to the money set aside to help them achieve their goals through the Empowerment Zone.
To supporters of the Plan, I ask you, why should large retail chained businesses be the sought after business entity on 125th Street? Why shouldn't a community have the right to determine what they want and seek to protect small business owners? They too employ residents from the surrounding neighborhoods, therefore contributing to the economy and the tax base. Before you pass judgements, I suggest that you look at the facts and open your eyes. Pushing out working class people in the name of profit and development is not humane nor responsible. By the way, I am from Harlem and I represent 4 generations. I made a choice to work here and send my children to the public schools and participate in social justice causes to make my community stronger. I hope you do the same.
It's truly sad how short sighted some people are regarding this proposal. I wonder how many people that say we "Harlemites" should welcome luxury office buildings and skyscrapers actually live in Harlem or are they part of the "new tenants". Here because residing in Harlem is "en vogue". The community residents that you speak of like Michael Henry Adams are not against development. We are against a plan that was not created with input from the very people who will be affected by the changes and pushed out. People talk about the "jobs" that will be created. I pose a question to you, have you walked down 125th Street lately. Do you see the overwhelming number of vendors who line the streets? Where are the business opportunities and plans to include them? They are mostly Entrepreneurs seeking financial grants and loans to build their businesses. Do you question why is the Mart 125 closed. This space was designed to serve as an incubation where Entrepreneurs would be able to sell their products, while receiving skills to help them transition to become business owners. There are business owners still questioning what happened to this effort and to the money set aside to help them achieve their goals through the Empowerment Zone.
To supporters of the Plan, I ask you, why should large retail chained businesses be the sought after business entity on 125th Street? Why shouldn't a community have the right to determine what they want and seek to protect small business owners? They too employ residents from the surrounding neighborhoods, therefore contributing to the economy and the tax base. Before you pass judgements, I suggest that you look at the facts and open your eyes. Pushing out working class people in the name of profit and development is not humane nor responsible. By the way, I am from Harlem and I represent 4 generations. I made a choice to work here and send my children to the public schools and participate in social justice causes to make my community stronger. I hope you do the same.