The 125th Street Business Improvement
District Expansion Study
125th Street Business Improvement District (BID)
Objectives 125th Street is one of New York City's neighborhood commercial areas
that has been experimenting with the BID mechanism in an attempt to accelerate
revitalization, improve physical maintenance and encourage economic growth.
The 125th Street BID's Board of Directors have considered the possible expansion
of the BID beyond its present boundaries at Fifth Avenue, to the east, and
Morningside Avenue, to the west. In the Fall of 1995, UTAP and the City
College Architectural Center (CCAC) undertook a planning and urban design
analysis of the eastern and western sections of 125th Street as the basis
for recommendations pertaining to the feasibility of expansion. The project
was conducted with partial support from a Community Outreach Partnership
Center/Harlem Partnership Center grant. Context 125th Street, in Upper Manhattan, is a key cross-town traffic artery
and major inter-borough commercial corridor. This historic street spans
Manhattan from the Harlem River to the Hudson River, links most neighborhoods
in Harlem, and is recognized locally and internationally for its historical
significance and cultural richness. It has traditionally served as both
the chief business thoroughfare and political center of Harlem. Although both Harlem's population and fortunes declined steadily after
World War II, there are signs that revitalization has begun. The commercial
vibrancy of 125th Street is an excellent example of this improvement. Today,
the population living in the vicinity of 125th Street is predominately comprised
of working-class and low-income African Americans and Latinos. Findings & Recommendations Ultimately, The 125th Street Business Improvement District Expansion Study recommended that the BID be expanded to the east in two phases--first, from Fifth to Park Avenue, and then from Park to Second Avenue. The expansion eastward would allow the BID to take advantage of the redevelopment opportunity presented by two large vacant office buildings located near the Metro North Station, and provide an opportunity for the creation of a mixed commercial/light industrial district. Expansion of the BID to the west, on the other hand, was deemed inappropriate, due to the large number of residential and publicly-owned properties found between Morningside Avenue and the Hudson River. The study also suggested that the BID consider the inclusion of commercial properties located on subway station mezzanines and along major avenues near their intersection with 125th Street. |
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