Month: August 2024

Parks and Safety Committee August 2024 Update | Budgets and Upgrades

Addressing safety and quality of life issues is a top priority for us. On June 24th, MMPCIA board members, along with other communities, participated in the ongoing meetings held by Congressman Espaillat. We collectively addressed the community’s concerns about the high concentration of drug treatment facilities in our and neighboring communities and the negative consequences on our quality of life. These meetings allowed us to voice our concerns directly to officials from the Department of Mental Health Services, NYPD, the NY State Office of Addiction Services, and several drug treatment service providers. We continue to express the negative consequences we experience living and working in this environment and join Congressman Espaillat’s push to reduce the facilities housed in the MMPCIA catchment and surrounding areas. MMPCIA is committed to remaining vigilant in confronting safety and quality of life issues in our community.

Marcus Garvey Park Upgrades: If you haven’t yet walked along Mt. Morris Park West between 124th and 122nQd Streets, you will be pleasantly surprised by the upgrades of the walkways including an ADA-compliant entrance to the park at 122nd St, beautiful new benches, and hooray: the standing water that collected on the walkway attracting insects and often creating an obstacle course to reaching the Amphitheater has disappeared. These upgrades have significantly improved the park’s accessibility and aesthetics. While in the MGP, head up to the pool to see the impressive new fencing installation surrounding the upper side.

Meeting with Parks Official: MMPCIA will followup with First Deputy Commissioner, Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, Man. Boro Commissioner, Tricia Shimamura, and others on the questions raised by the community at the April Community Meeting, including the planning process for capital projects. Schedule for the Fritz Recreation Center roof replacement status and ensuring there is a community involvement session to gather input for future renovations. Also will address issues regarding parking of vehicles, with parks department placards along MMPW/”beach” along 122 and 124th streets along MMPW/”beach”. Storage containers outside the pool area, which were supposed to be removed in March; and trash receptacles often left open, which attract and exacerbate the rodent problem.

We are meeting with our local elected officials, Councilmen Yusef Salaam and Statss and continue our working relationship. We will discuss the status of the funding allocated by the former City Council member Kirsten Jordan of approximately 1 million dollars to install solar panels in the amphitheater approximately a year ago and State Senator Cordell Cleare allocated approximately 2 million dollars to renovate the small children’s playground over 2 years ago.

We want to ensure the funding is utilized to upgrade and for capital projects at Marcus Garvey Park, which is such an important aspect of our community. We will continue to update you all at our next community meeting and newsletter with any information disseminated at these meetings.

Marcus Garvey Gardens: A very special thank you to Erik, the Gardener, who almost single-handedly keeps the gardens looking good, particularly in the Spring when all the lovely flowers bloom at every turn.

We need all eyes and ears to monitor these and other safety concerns. Please email photos, questions, and comments to info@mmpcia.org or join www.mmpcia.org. Photos-001 (4)

August 16, 2024

Our Neighbors

In the Neighborhood, MMPCIA Community

MMPCIA sorrowfully joins the Harlem community in mourning the Monday, July 22, 2024 passing of one of our most accomplished civil rights activists, Michael A. Hardy, Esq. Michael was a native New Yorker, born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and ultimately became our neighbor on 122nd street.

Michael Hardy

Michael graduated from New York Law School and was admitted to the Bar of the State of New York; the Supreme Court of the United States, and each of the Federal District Courts within the State of New York. He was a founding member of the National Action Network, Inc (NAN) and served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel to NAN and Rev. Al Sharpton for over 25 years. He was at the forefront of key civil rights and police misconduct cases including the matters of Eric Garner, Noel Polanco, Sean Bell, Abner Louima, Amadou Diallo, Fermin Arzu, Ousmane Zongo, and many others.

In April 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo appointed Michael as a member of the Commission on Youth, Public Safety and Justice, which resulted in raising the age of criminal liability in New York from 16 to 18 years old. Michael participated in the U.S. Department of Justice’s creation of the Clemency Project, where the Obama administration began an effort to release low-level drug offenders sentenced to life or near-life prison sentences under mandatory sentencing guidelines that would not be applicable today.

Michael had a passion for the theater that included pursuing a career in drama prior to his decision to go to law school, and used that talent during trials. His latest accomplishment was publishing “Constitutional Policing: Striving for a More Perfect Union” in 2023. The book examines the issues of policing in America and the pathways to achieve a level of constitutional policing that begins to address how our diverse nation and the communities we live in can become safer, more equitable, more respectful of our differences.

Michael shared his time and legal expertise with representatives of MMPCIA and the Greater Harlem Coalition to innovate and implement strategies to reverse red-lining governmental policies that plague Harlem and the Mount Morris Park historic district. His involvement resulted in the first community meeting in over 50 years with the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), the government agency responsible for licensing substance abuse clinics, and a first ever acknowledgement that current government policies have a quantitative negative impact on Harlem..

Justice Warrior, actor, author, and volunteer. Michael will be missed.

August 11, 2024

Marcus Garvey Park Historic Preservation

History, In the Neighborhood, MMPCIA Community

The Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association (MMPCIA), Marcus Garvey Park Alliance, and Save Harlem Now!, are serving as community partners with the NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to nominate Marcus Garvey Park for inclusion in the National and State Registers of Historic Places. These registers are the official lists of sites and structures significant to New York’s history, recognizing important locations across the state.

Marcus Garvey Park’s potential inclusion highlights its significance in Harlem’s rich local history. Notably, only 3% of the sites currently listed are related to African-American history. Having Marcus Garvey Park listed can help redefine historical significance and improve access to funding and preservation resources. This support is vital for maintaining and enhancing the park as a historic site within the already recognized Mt. Morris Park Historic District.

Inclusion in the National Register could qualify the park for preservation grants and tax incentives, which are crucial for ongoing maintenance and educational projects. It also helps ensure the park’s history is preserved and celebrated for future generations, enhancing community pride and historical awareness.

The application includes gathering oral histories and community collaboration, documenting the park’s contributions to our shared heritage. We are calling for community members to contribute their stories and memories of Marcus Garvey Park.** Your experiences are invaluable to capturing the essence of what makes this park a cornerstone of Harlem’s cultural and historical landscape.

Join us in preserving and celebrating Marcus Garvey Park. Contact us to share your story or to learn more about the nomination process.

August 11, 2024

President’s Update

In the Neighborhood, News

The Greater Harlem Coalition (GHC) recently exposed shocking behavior from Yale University’s researchers, highlighting the need for change. During a recorded conversation, researchers made unethical and biased remarks about Harlem residents, undermining their research integrity. This incident underscores the systemic issues GHC has been fighting against, such as the over-concentration of drug treatment facilities in Harlem, which unfairly burdens the community.

MMPCIA President Madlyn Stokely penned a letter to Yale University, urging accountability and reform. This letter calls for the removal of those involved and demands a reevaluation of institutional standards. The GHC, representing over 150 Harlem-based organizations, seeks equitable distribution of social services across NYC to prevent Harlem from being used as a containment zone. Their mission aligns with MMPCIA’s efforts to advocate for community justice and preservation.

Community members are encouraged to join this advocacy by writing to Yale and voicing their concerns. To stay updated, visit GHC Website and support our efforts to bring about meaningful change.

August 5, 2024

Dear President Maurie McInnis:

MMPCIA is deeply disappointed by Yale’s lack of action in response to the aggressive, biased, and unprofessional comments made by Mr. Ryan McNeil and Ms. Gina Bonilla. Many of us are shocked and disheartened that an institution of such stature has not held its staff accountable for its behavior. This disappointment underscores the urgent need for change and accountability.

Yale University, like many institutions in the United States of America, founded during the height of one of this country’s greatest inhumanities to human beings, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the the subsequent benefits from the enslavement of Black people, has yet to overcome or relinquish its institutional disdain and disrespect for Black people. This is yet another opportunity to right a wrong.

While Shawn Hill, the person attacked, is not Black, he effectively articulates the profound struggle of the Harlem community against the over-concentration of drug treatment facilities. Many Harlem residents are not shocked by the comments made by McNeil and Bonilla on the “hot mike” or the weak proforma responses Harlem residents have received. I am genuinely saddened, disappointed, and angered at Yale’s inability to engage in institutional self-evaluation and reform to remove individuals who hold such beliefs.

Yale’s response to other communications on this matter is not acceptable. The removal of McNeil and Bonilla is surely one acceptable request; They both must be brought before the community to understand the impact of their beliefs and words fully. This is a necessary step towards holding both them and Yale accountable for hiring these researchers and its failure to address this issue.

Your response will be shared with our community.

Regards,

Madlyn Stokely, President

Mt. Morris Park Community Improvement Association (MMPCIA)

MMPCIA.org

August 11, 2024

Landmark: August Update

In the Neighborhood, Landmarks

MMPCIA will strengthen collaborations with organizations like the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Historic District Council to achieve our preservation goals.

Over the past 24 months our neighborhood has witnessed landmarks being demolished. A change to our historic landscape is not something we take lightly. MMPCIA has fought for preservation since its inception. The challenges we face are advocating for preservation while recognizing the layers of decisions in private property, Community Boards, Landmark Preservation Commission and The Department of Buildings.

After the latest buildings were demolished on west 119 Street (66-68 West 119 Street) MMPCIA has been in close contact with the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Historic District council. We learned there are plans that will be submitted this fall for a structure in line with the existing buildings. The process is lengthy and before any construction begins there will be a presentation to Community Board 10 which is open to the public.

There are a few other buildings that too have been vacant and abandoned for decades which we are being informed on. Ultimately if a building is deemed to be a danger to the neighboring facade or in its entirety, the department of Buildings may demolish.

We understand there are many questions, we have them too; how some buildings are slated for demolition and some are not. Or why not utilize resources allocated toward demolition toward restoration.We continue to inquire and keep our relationships strong with NYC Landmarks Preservation and the Historic District Council to build partnerships and advocacy.

We will continue to provide information on resources to historic homeowners.

Most recently we featured NY State tax benefits for historic Homes in our neighborhood. Our neighborhood continues to be a beautiful place and we care deeply about the landscape legacy we are leaving behind.

August 11, 2024

Introducing Portico: Simplifying Landmark Permit Processes for Homeowners

In the Neighborhood, Landmarks

Portico is the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s new online permit portal. It is expected to simplify the permit application process for landmark designated properties, allowing homeowners and their teams to file, track, and amend permits. This tool is potentially useful for Mount Morris Park Historic District homeowners as it covers compliance with LPC regulations, ensuring that any work done preserves the historical integrity of their properties. Portico provides steps for obtaining necessary permits, such as Certificates of No Effect, Permits for Minor Work, and Certificates of Appropriateness, bringing clarity to maintaining the district’s architectural heritage. Additionally, homeowners can use Portico to check the status of applications and permits for other buildings in the area, promoting transparency and community awareness.

We are committed to supporting you by sharing useful information and resources. Together, we can maintain the beauty and heritage of our community.

August 11, 2024