Harlem's Massive 'One45' Development Faces Neighbors' Scrutiny

HARLEM, NY — Neighbors got their first chance Monday to weigh in on the large development proposed for the corner of Lenox Avenue and West 145th Street, with some expressing concerns about its size and outreach process in a public meeting about the project.

Monday's scoping meeting by the City Planning Commission also featured about a half dozen callers who spoke out in favor of the development, which is known as "One45" and calls for two 365-foot-towers on the block between West 144th and 145th streets, bounded by Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard.

The buildings would include as many as 939 apartments — including up to 282 affordable units — as well as offices, retail space and a museum devoted to the Civil Rights Movement in the Northern U.S.

To start construction, developers will need to win the city's approval to rezone the block, a monthslong process in which Monday's scoping meeting was an early step.

"A problem for the community"

Many of the supporters who joined Monday's meeting appeared to be affiliated with the National Action Network, the civil rights group founded by the Rev. Al Sharpton, which will gain a new headquarters through the project. (NAN's current home will be demolished to make way for the development.)

Leaders of NAN, however, have said they are simply tenants and not the ones behind the development, which has been spearheaded by a group identified only as One45 LLC.

"We have no more influence over what happens within this space as we do with what happens in the middle of Times Square," said Katrina Jefferson, who oversees NAN's "House of Justice" headquarters.

A handful of neighbors called in to share skepticism about the project, including Moire Davis, board president of the neighboring Esplanade Gardens co-op, who criticized a "lack of communication on the developer’s part."

"I’ve reached out to NAN repeatedly and it seemed as though they had no information about what was going on, only to find out today that they’re really a big part of it," Davis said. "I think that’s a problem for the community."

Other neighbors questioned One45's height, whether it would worsen congestion at the 145th Street subway station, and why developers had not presented their plans to Community Board 10. Resident Dolina Duzant largely praised the plan, but said she had been unable to ascertain the developers' identities.

"Who are the developers?" she asked. "How can we partner with you beforehand so you’ll get to know us, we’ll get to know you and just have a nice meet and greet?"

City records list Bruce Teitelbaum, a developer who is also pushing to build an energy plant in Queens, as the owner of One45 LLC. An attorney who represented One45 LLC in the meeting did not immediately respond to questions about the developers' identities.

Those who praised the project during Monday's meeting included restaurateur Melba Wilson and Shawn Hill, Vice President of the Harlem Neighborhood Block Association, who both highlighted the proposed civil rights museum and the promise of affordable housing.

"This is precisely the kind of development New York should be building in this kind of location," Hill said.

"Many benefits"

Representatives for the developers touted the project Monday as a "hub" that would bring hundreds of new jobs, attract retail foot traffic, activate the 145th Street thoroughfare and deliver much-needed housing.

"We believe the project will confer many benefits on the neighborhood," said the representative, Tristan Nadal.

The block set to be demolished to make way for the development includes gas stations, shops, the Timbuktu Islamic Center and the restaurant King's Pizza of Harlem.

A representative for the developers said Monday that they were working with commercial tenants to find them new homes in the neighborhood, although resident Dana White asked why the pizza shop was not participating in the meeting.

Monday's hour-and-a-half scoping meeting was intended to solicit community feedback for the Environmental Impact Statement that developers are required to prepare, studying potential effects like displacement, noise, shadows and effect on neighborhood character.

In addition to the main project, developers have laid out a "no action" scenario in case the rezoning is not approved. In that case, the existing buildings on the block would still be demolished, but replaced by five smaller buildings standing up to 98 feet tall, containing offices, retail, about 49 apartments and a medical center.

The Museum of Civil Rights — launched by Sharpton and former state Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman will be an educational center, featuring exhibits, a laboratory for creative arts and a rooftop teaching garden, according to its website.

Once the development is certified by City Planning, the public review process known as ULURP will require the developers to present their plans to Community Board 10. After up to six months, the City Council will get the final say about whether to approve the rezoning.

Previous coverage:

• Harlem's New Action Network HQ To Tower Over Neighborhood
  
• Much Of Harlem Block To Be Demolished, Permits Show