Dickens Stands as Key Hurdle To Rezoning of 125th Street
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Throwing into doubt a plan by the Bloomberg administration to rezone 125th Street to create 2.1 million square feet of new commercial space, Council Member Inez Dickens, who represents the area, is saying she will not back the idea unless further concessions are made to the community.
“There will be no rezoning plan signed into law if I do not get the protection for my community,” Ms. Dickens said.
At a crowded public hearing in City Hall, she said the rezoning must better address concerns such as “affordable” housing and relocation assistance to local businesses. The rezoning needs final approval by the full council before April 30; typically the council votes with the affected district’s representative.
Ms. Dickens’s position puts her into direct conflict with Mayor Bloomberg, who yesterday defended the rezoning plan against critics who have suggested that it could displace Harlem residents and merchants.
“Look, if you improve the school system and bring down crime, you’re going to have people staying in this city that would have left before,” Mr. Bloomberg told reporters. “That’s something that’s good.” He called the rezoning a way to create a “gradual transition” for the neighborhood that would keep residents from being suddenly pushed out by a development boom.
Dozens of Harlem residents testified at yesterday’s hearing in favor of and against the rezoning.
The executive director of the Harlem Business Alliance, Regina Smith, said her organization is troubled “by the continued loss of African-American-owned businesses” during the neighborhood’s recent economic boom, and fears that the rezoning could boost rents and property values, forcing out local store-owners and residents. “The proposed 125th Street river-to-river rezoning will have a tremendous adverse impact on the entire Harlem community,” Ms. Smith said.
Council Member Larry Seabrook, who represents parts of the Bronx, responded that, without the restrictions contained within the proposed rezoning, Harlem could be subjected to unregulated developments without community input.
“What is in existence now, if a zillionaire came in and bought up all the property, he could have a luxury condominium and nothing could be said,” Mr. Seabrook said.
