Southern Area
The Southern section of the Harlem River Study Area consists of the northern end of Central Harlem on the Manhattan side, and southern Mott Haven and the Bronx Terminal Market on the Bronx side. This portion of the study area has developed primarily through a mixture of industrial development, the advent of above and below ground infrastructure connecting the Bronx and Manhattan, and the migration of populations from downtown and beyond in search of jobs. The Harlem River’s role in this development scheme and long history is a complex one. It was the river’s presence that initially attracted industries to the shores of the Bronx, this development trend then spread across the body of water to Harlem with the promise of jobs. With the disappearance of industry, however, the river’s role was considerably diminished, and in the latter half of the twentieth century, portions of its shores have become a magnet for attempts at renewal and improvement in city life ...
Over the past half-century, the flight of industry and subsequent loss of jobs have resulted in a host of issues that challenge preservation of the Southern area’s important historic built fabric. This set of circumstances has spawned a variety of other issues, such as building neglect, vacant structures, lots built well under the allowable FAR, and a lack of recreational space, all of which significantly impact efforts to preserve the industrial buildings and historic residential structures found on either side of the river. Recent interest in reinvestment in Mott Haven and the Bronx Terminal Market in particular, although promising for the area’s long-term economic health, acts as a double-edged sword for preservationists, as eager developers and uninformed new residents threaten historic buildings with demolition and insensitive alterations ...
There are many opportunities for preservation within these neighborhoods, and there exists a number of financial and educational initiatives that could empower community members and outside interests to reinvest in the Southern section of the Harlem River. These include, but are certainly not limited to: rezoning, landmark designation, adaptive reuse, and the utilization of tax incentives sponsored by the city, state, and federal government, landmark designation, and adaptive reuse. Through a selective application of the above tools, or several combinations thereof, the aforementioned problems in the Southern section can be addressed simultaneously with the preservation of the historic built fabric ...
Download the Complete Preservation Plan for Southern Area of the Harlem River (pdf format)
