tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post1845007865198837957..comments2023-08-14T11:44:27.299-04:00Comments on Jeremiah's<br> Vanishing New York: East Harlem on the BrinkJeremiah Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-34154971115049807552009-01-08T23:37:00.000-05:002009-01-08T23:37:00.000-05:00Again..this is what us outsiders want to think the...Again..this is what us outsiders want to think the whole city is like.Senobiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02083018316987500866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-10773759426785743892008-11-12T13:16:00.000-05:002008-11-12T13:16:00.000-05:00hey anon, you kinda sound like you're selling the ...hey anon, you kinda sound like you're selling the place! are you shilling?Jeremiah Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-67979205580964905122008-11-12T12:20:00.000-05:002008-11-12T12:20:00.000-05:00FYI- Blue Rythm Condominium is 431 East 115th Stre...FYI- Blue Rythm Condominium is 431 East 115th Street. I actually went to the Open House on Sunday, and loved the apartments, and it's an amazing block..right around the corner from my favorite restaurant!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-64182848589435205022008-10-17T11:39:00.000-04:002008-10-17T11:39:00.000-04:00thanks much paolo. i know what you mean not wantin...thanks much paolo. i know what you mean not wanting to "give away" the east harlem "secret." i like the tape recorder idea, but i think i'd feel too intrusive. i already feel intrusive just being a blogger.<BR/><BR/>how about you? you could add a micro audio thing to your blog, whatever that's called. a podcast?Jeremiah Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-86896529821596780592008-10-17T10:24:00.000-04:002008-10-17T10:24:00.000-04:00Jeremiah, Great post. Very well written and thorou...Jeremiah, <BR/>Great post. Very well written and thorough. <BR/><BR/>I live in Harlem, up in Hamilton Heights, and I hesitate to write about E.Harlem myself, afraid that I'll be telling some secret. 15 years ago I wanted to live in the LES. I dont anymore. Now I want to live in E.Harlem. Its such a gem, and time will soon tell how it changes. <BR/><BR/>No matter what one feels about gentrification, wealth, community, change, etc...Its never fun when whole communities disappear, and with them all that knowledge. Not that anyone said otherwise, but people who learn to live and work and raise families and run business and create communities in the US, after arriving from somewhere else with little grasp of the language or norms...they're wicked smart, incredibly talented and versatile, and often go out of their way to sustain community. they just dont ever get to talk about it, some dont want to.<BR/><BR/>That kind of knowledge should be shared with a broader community. Its important and valuable. <BR/><BR/>You know J, maybe you should start whipping out an audio recorder and getting a few words from people when you're out and about in these hoods. <BR/><BR/>"whats your name? When did you come here? Where do you live?" Etc....<BR/> <BR/>Anyways dude, <BR/>nice post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-79439043675734457812008-10-16T07:52:00.000-04:002008-10-16T07:52:00.000-04:00thank you for the clarification! good to know the ...thank you for the clarification! good to know the poor are getting their allotted percentage.Jeremiah Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-84453890668626630762008-10-16T00:50:00.000-04:002008-10-16T00:50:00.000-04:00Jeremiah - check your facts - the "Fedders Box" on...Jeremiah - check your facts - the "Fedders Box" on 118th near The Ivy is not a luxury condo but low cost housing for the formerly homeless operated by the Friendly Hands Ministry. It will also contain a seniors center. Not all new buildings are luxury condos - some developers are actually putting up good, new housing for the underprivileged!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-48230936758341629352008-10-15T15:47:00.000-04:002008-10-15T15:47:00.000-04:00In response to jared, I am far from being "enamore...In response to jared, I am far from being "enamored" with grittiness, nor am I preaching to anyone. You think you are the only one who hears or witnesses violence? I'm not some yunnie from the middle of nowhere and I have just as much a right to care for what happens to this city as you. ( who obviously has lived here longer than I, and I repect that) I would never equate people being shot or harassed as true "grittiness"...last time I checked that's an occurrence that can happen anywhere... no need to throw rude remarks, I see new york for what it is, a city with an incredible past, a past that gets eradicated for the sake of progress without a balance for everyone involved, a city that requires regardless of what some may toot as being safe still requires you to have street smarts and common sense..<BR/> remember that though you are certainly in a position to remember and care for things long gone, others will come after you to fight for those things also, even if we don't remember it all, and if it bothers you that a "kid" happens to be one them, I don't know what to tell ya.<BR/><BR/>-nostalgicAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-31011208407243392442008-10-15T13:53:00.000-04:002008-10-15T13:53:00.000-04:00Anonymous 10:48, you forgot one:4) entrenched poli...Anonymous 10:48, you forgot one:<BR/><BR/>4) entrenched politicians whose careers depend on maintaining the illusion of ethnic solidarity against evil outside forces.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-85393835583932465082008-10-15T13:42:00.000-04:002008-10-15T13:42:00.000-04:00Nostalgic 'New' New Yorker is annoying. We don't ...Nostalgic 'New' New Yorker is annoying. We don't need a kid who just moved here and enamored with the 'grittiness' of the city to preach about yesteryear. <BR/><BR/>There are some fantastic things about E. Harlem and some terrible things. 3 people killed on my block in a year, 2 of which were completely innocent of whatever caused the violence. Yeah, that is grittiness I can do without. <BR/><BR/>anon 10:48 jerimiahmoss said it right. The balance is what is elusive. <BR/><BR/>Part of what makes E. Harlem great is the Latio/Black mix. I don't think any other uptown neighborhood is so mixed. There is room for more diversity in race and income. If rent regulation does its job then hopefully a balance can be found.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-87287922504065062182008-10-15T12:35:00.000-04:002008-10-15T12:35:00.000-04:00I live in West Harlem, and though I've only been i...I live in West Harlem, and though I've only been in this great city a few years I miss and love how new york used to be ( hopefully, going back!)I am one of those lost souls who "did" move to the neighborhood because of what is there, people who spoke to you, neighbors who looked out for one another and it did not have the erosion of character that has been spreading like a disease through this great city. So I have to slightly disagree with anon 10:48 in the characterization of those parties who want Harlem ( East and/or West) to be preserved as a museum of poor minorities. I am a minority, and it angers me seeing how money and greed can trump over the basic principles of someone being able to have a home and community. Someone earning $16,000 a year is no less important than someone making over $100,000.<BR/><BR/>I have zigzagged all over uptown and I love the grittiness I find in unexpected places, not everything needs to be shiny, bright and monotone and scream luxury. These folks who want luxury, ( false) safety and wish to live in the confines of their silent, Ikea decorated homes truly lack what it means to have street smarts. Its like the woman who was featured in the Times earlier this week complaining about how she never would have bought her condo in Williamsburg if she would have known that the ferry wouldn't run all year round to get her to Manhattan in 15 minutes. ( heaven forbid one ride the bus and subway!) Life is not meant to always be convenient.<BR/><BR/>And the area around Yankee Stadium is great for capturing old New York, walk over there all the time...though that new stadium is a horrible eye sore. Keep up the good work J! perhaps the tide will turn soon. :)<BR/><BR/>oh. P.S Corcoran has a new poll on their website asking people which of the chains ( Starbucks, Duane Reade, Whole Foods, etc.) would they want to be "down the block" from them..Whole Foods got the most votes...so sad.. I'd want a Childs Restaurant but would have to go back in time by about 70 plus years :)<BR/><BR/>-Nostalgic "new" New YorkerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-13899222566604349802008-10-15T11:25:00.000-04:002008-10-15T11:25:00.000-04:00anon 10:48, i don't disagree with much of what you...anon 10:48, i don't disagree with much of what you say. there's a tipping point with gentrification. initially, it may bring in better services and improve existing residents' lives. eventually, though, the tipping point comes and those residents can't afford the new highly inflated services, and they lose their homes.<BR/><BR/>somehow, balance always seems out of reach.Jeremiah Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-6633940473452019572008-10-15T11:23:00.000-04:002008-10-15T11:23:00.000-04:00Loved the spiel from the bunco artist selling hips...Loved the spiel from the bunco artist selling hipster habitrails: "You won't even recognize it."<BR/><BR/>Of course we will. It will look like every other neighborhood in the Manhattan of Mayor McChee$e's wet dream.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-54908976218323944022008-10-15T11:07:00.000-04:002008-10-15T11:07:00.000-04:00If you consider relocating to East Harlem, you sho...If you consider relocating to East Harlem, you should try the Yankee Stadium/Grand Concourse area of the Bronx. Just a few more minutes on the subway, it has the same vibe on the street. People say good morning to each other and chat with neighbors on the side walk and in the local diners and bars. There will be no new ritzy condo construction. One has the sense of being in old New York.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-10189673565740324212008-10-15T10:48:00.000-04:002008-10-15T10:48:00.000-04:00As a long time resident of Upper Manhattan, who cu...As a long time resident of Upper Manhattan, who currently lives in the border area between Central and East Harlem, let me play devil's advocate to your first statement ("There are people who move to a place because they love what is already there"):<BR/><BR/>People who live in poor neighborhoods do so primarily because they can't afford to live in better neighborhoods. Nobody says "I love living in the ghetto because there are so few sit-down restaurants! I love that fast food and fried chicken take-out joints are my only food options within walking distance when I'm not up for cooking!"<BR/><BR/>Poor neighborhoods also typically have very little street life at night. Without bars, restaurants, and other attractions open late, only "bad people" are out at night-- because why else would you be hanging out on the streets? Where else would you be going? People scurry home from the subway after work because there's nowhere else to go and it's dangerous to hang out after dark. <BR/><BR/>The idea that Harlem shouldn't change is *not* one that would be shared by most Harlemites, but rather is primarily expressed by 1) people who don't live here but would like to see Harlem preserved as museum of poor minorities who are imagined to visit the Apollo and eat at Sylvia's every night, 2) social service providors and other people who have an interest in these neighborhoods remaining laboratories of poverty, and 3) business interests who have something to lose in these people having more consumer choices. <BR/><BR/>East 116th Street is a *great* commercial corridor, and possibly my favorite street uptown. You're right that it is vibrant and full of small immigrant entrepreneurs. But East 125th Street is nothing like E 116th. 125, east of Lexington, is downright crappy, and the area is shady at night. The two streets are nothing alike. Nobody is suggesting that 116th be demolished and replaced by big box stores and condos. The rezoning plan addresses an area that's disinvested, hostile to pedestrians, and unlike 116th, doesn't have a thriving commercial corridor. 125 to 127 between 2nd and 3rd is mostly parking lots and half-abandoned auto-oriented industrial garbage. <BR/><BR/>Gentrification is creeping north from the UES into East Harlem, whether the city rezones anything or not. I think a lot of the existing architecture and storefronts in East Harlem are beautiful, and should be preserved, and existing businesses should be given assistance so that they can thrive as new investment comes in. But putting new buildings on vacant lots, gas stations, truck storage lots, and cheap 1-story bodegas (that charge inflated prices for spoiled milk, etc) isn't a bad thing, like you're suggesting here. <BR/><BR/>These same business interests (the "bodega lobby") were opposed to the Pathmark on 125 and Lex because they said it would kill their business. The Pathmark is the best thing to happen to the area because it actually attracts people at all hours who don't live in the neighborhood, which adds vibrancy and more eyes on the street.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-88852534021743040732008-10-15T09:02:00.000-04:002008-10-15T09:02:00.000-04:00...i agree, the same thing is about to happen in J......i agree, the same thing is about to happen in Jamaica, Queens...where the mayor has signed the biggest rezoning of any neighborhood in the history of the city...I have many friends who have left the city for bigger cheaper homes and 90% of them want to come back...I'm the only hold out...lol...and I have become their Marriot whenever they visit...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com