Separating Church and Real Estate
If Harlem’s rising real estate prices weren’t tension-inducing enough for long-time renters, the condominium conversions of area churches are sending residents into a frenzy.
“It’s sacrilegious,” said East Harlem resident Joe Rodriguez. “First they take our apartments and now they’re taking our churches.”
With hundreds of churches in Harlem, real estate developers have begun transforming these houses of worship into luxury residences; some individual units priced well over a million dollars. Although the trend has been gaining momentum in West Harlem, it just touched down a block away from my east side apartment.
The former Gospel Temple Church of America, located on 127th Street and Fifth Avenue, will undergo a major renovation and is now being marketed as The Rhapsody on Fifth – a 22-unit luxury condominium complete with bamboo floors, fitness room and doorman.
Bobby Brown, the superintendent of an income-restricted rental residence across the street from the new Rhapsody, said he couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the purple advertisements on the church announcing plans for the new condominium.
“I know things have been changing around here,” he said in disbelief. “But the church?”
Although some developers continue to build affordable housing in the area by renting or selling some units at market rates while using profits to subsidize apartments for working-class and middle-class residents, other private developers are outbidding nonprofit groups for land. In a neighborhood where the median family income is approximately $26,000 – half the citywide median – some residents are disoriented by the high-priced real estate.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Karen Phillips, a long-time Harlem resident and NYC planning commissioner, said that finding the middle ground is imperative.
“Harlem has a chance to be one of the few neighborhoods where you have a true mix of races and incomes," she said. "The challenge is to keep the housing affordable and to remind people that we live in a neighborhood with a heritage of struggle."
That struggle can certainly be felt here today, but how will it translate to the Harlem of tomorrow?
posted by Rachel Natalie Klein at 12:35 AM
7 Comments:
"It’s sacrilegious," said East Harlem resident Joe Rodriguez. "First they take our apartments and now they’re taking our churches."
Damn... that's too funny! Religion is a very good business. Just ask anyone preaching the stuff. Better luck next time fools.
I'm just posting as someone who recently moved to the area - E135st and 5th ave. Our apt has been completely remodeled and looks pretty spiffy. Our rent is roughly 3 times what the other tenants are paying, but unfortunately for them, their leases aren't being renewed and once they are gone, they are making way for more urban professionals to move in. Sucks too, because several of my neighbors are elderly and have lived here for decades.
The developers are taking everything they can. It's sad to see what is happening to the area. Well, it's good and bad. On the one hand, it is changing the area and bringing a "positive" vibe, the downside is that E. Harlem is being whored for her goods - and none of it is going to directly benefit the people living there...or have been living here most of their lives.
I just wish there was a way to revitalize the community without having to kick everyone out. Economically - the surge in development, higher rents, expensive shops, etc - I just don't see how the current inhabitants could stay here.
Sadly, most developers have the opinion of the person that posted above: "Better luck next time fools."
There should be some sort of laws in place to protect houses of worship...this isn't the first time there has been a debate in Harlem surrounding this issue.
This is very sad news, the churches are such an important part of the community, life and magic of Harlem, what are we replacing this with .. luxury condos, is nothing sacred beyond the almighty dollar?
bamboo floors > god
I live in Hamilton Hieghts. The neighborhood has improved tremendously in recent years. All neighborhoods will change. Before the Africa-American community was there, it was Jewish, before it was Jewish, it was Dutch, before it was Dutch it was Native American. The World changes. You can't stop that.
As for finding a bagel in Harlem - a couple of coffee shops have opened on 145th in Sugar Hill/Hamilton heights. But guess what was in the glass case? Peices of cake and cupcakes! Ugh. I told the owner to get bagels and scones and they'll do much better.
So, I too am forever searching for my bagel on Harlem.
1. buy empty lots
2. but low income slum buildings cheap
3.send out eviction notices
4.hoard empty apts
5 slowly renovate
6. market online to dodge rental rules all american, professional etc. code word your ads to steer a certain type to your building
6.BUILD CONDOS FOR INCOMES 10X CURRENT NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN
7.BUY ALL HOUSES OF WORSHIP
8. CHANGE SCHOOLS TO CHARTER
9. RAISE RENT ON MOM AND POPS
10 PRESSURE POLICE TO STEP UP PATROLS AND HARRASSMENT OF "LONG TIME NEIGHBORS"
IN TIME
NEW NEIGHBORHOOD NEW PEOPLE
Post a Comment
<< Home