Harlem Developments Move Ahead
NEW YORK—Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York Economic Development Corporation (NYEDC) awarded contracts to developers on Wednesday to transform more than 350,000 square feet of long-vacant space along Harlem’s 125th Street into new commercial and manufacturing space.
Janus Partners LLC and Monadnock Construction will invest $100 million to renovate the old Taystee Bakery complex composed of five buildings running along 125th and 126th streets near Amsterdam Avenue.
The development will focus on fostering local businesses and entrepreneurs. In the city’s grand plan for Harlem revitalization, this is often a point of contention, with Starbucks and big box stores pushing out the local, small business owners.
Small manufacturing and artisan companies will lease 1,000- to 5,000-square-foot spaces in the complex through nonprofit developer Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center. The Harlem Brewing Company will move home from its current location in Saratoga Springs. It will use the space to grow hops, give tours, and invite guests to the taproom.
Sandra Hernandez, who lives two blocks from the Taystee Bakery complex, will bring her flan business back to the neighborhood. It began in her kitchen and then moved to an incubator space in LaMarqueta in East Harlem, designed to help immigrant and women entrepreneurs get off the ground.
“I remember the smell of fresh-baked goods coming down the street,” said Richard Harrigan, 61, as he sat on a bench on 126th Street. He’s one of the few who can remember a time when the massive lot was in use. Decades after it closed down, most people in the area have forgotten Taystee Bakery, but Hernandez may once again bring the smell of fresh-baked goods to 126th Street.
Quentin Conybeare didn’t live in the neighborhood when the bakery was still around, but he has followed the development plans with great interest over the last decade. He is happy NYEDC transferred the contract from the development company that previously held it, Harlem Real Estate LLC, an affiliate of Citarella, to Janus Partners LLC and Monadnock Construction Inc.
Harlem Real Estate LLC had the contract from 2001 to 2009, when NYEDC decided it was time to take back the property. The company had not renovated the buildings, and the New York State Supreme Court ruled that NYEDC could take it back and open it up to other developers.
“Citarella got this sweetheart deal,” explained Conybeare. It was a time when property was cheap and “there were great opportunities.” While failing to take advantage of the opportunity, Citarella also did not show any connection with or concern for the neighborhood’s needs and desires, Conybeare said.
Janus Partners LLC, on the other hand, has a history of fostering local businesses and culture, he noted. The company owns other buildings in the area, including some small art galleries.
NYEDC reports that construction may be held up if Citarella challenges the Supreme Court order, but is confident that Citarella will not succeed and the decision will be upheld, thereby allowing development to move ahead.
Citarella did not respond to inquiries as of press deadline.
NYEDC also awarded a contract to 125th Street Equities to develop the landmarked Corn Exchange Building on East 125th Street at Park Avenue. The 125th Street Equities will spend $16 million to renovate the two-story structure in accordance with landmark status regulations. When complete, the building will stand eight stories high with 31,000 square feet of business space, including “minority and women-owned businesses and job opportunities,” assured Councilwoman Inez Dickens.
The two projects are expected to generate 530 permanent jobs and 570 construction jobs.
By Tara MacIsaac