Mar 29, 2008 6:57 pm US/Eastern
Harlem Residents Vow To Fight NYC's Rezoning Plan
NEW YORK (AP) ―
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This row of buildings, located in Harlem, would be affected by the new proposed revitalization project aimed at 125th Street.
CBS
Scores of people attended a town hall meeting in Harlem on Saturday, vowing to fight a massive rezoning proposal that locals fear could displace them and alter the neighborhood's historical character forever.
"This is a takeover," said Sikhulu Shange, the owner of a 125th Street record store. "This is theft. This is highway robbery. ... If we don't fight to win, this will be the end of an era."
Shange was one of several speakers who attended the rally to denounce the city's rezoning plan that could change dozens of blocks on 124th, 125th and 126th streets. The plan calls for creating condominiums, performing art space, hotels and a high-rise office tower.
City officials say the proposal will halt unregulated development in the area. But Shange and other local leaders believe the city is trying to co-opt their community and obliterate this famous bastion of black history.
"People want to take our beloved Harlem from us," said Monique Ndigo Washington, a human rights activist who moderated the town hall meeting. The event was organized by The Coalition to Save Harlem.
"It's time for us to rise up," said Shange, who frequently drew rousing applause. "There is too much history in Harlem."
The neighborhood's activists are not without political allies. Tony Avella, who represents part of Queens on the New York City Council, pledged his help and criticized the city's proposal.
He said the plan would "push out the mom-and-pop businesses" and said current residents wouldn't be able to afford the new housing that would be built.
"This plan as presently constituted has to be stopped," he said. "It's a vision for this city which I don't understand."
Avella said the real estate industry was pushing the rezoning changes. He called for the nearly 200 people in attendance to organize and publicize their opposition to the plan.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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