No Passing Zone

April 11, 2018

Inwood residents lined up last night in the auditorium of I.S. 218 to share their thoughts on the proposed rezoning plan. The event was organized by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and was part of the approval process to remake the northernmost tip of this island. Brewer said she wants to know how rezoning will affect housing needs and small businesses.

Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer

The plan calls for a significant makeover for the neighborhood, the last such major overhaul having been done half a century ago. The auditorium was packed with several hundred locals who sought to take advantage of an open mic and two minutes of talk time. Some stakeholders objected to the scheme in its entirety or suggested adding or removing specific elements, while others simply asked what’s the big hurry to pass it right now before the community’s concerns are adequately addressed?

Rezoning envisions high rises on bank of Harlem River

Opponents of the proposed rezoning plan far outnumbered supporters who were as rare as a vacant 2-bedroom for under a thousand a month. Brewer had to shush the crowd a few times when a speaker’s remark came across as overly supportive and was met with boos and catcalls. They came from different backgrounds and had unique points of view but all had strong ties to the community. A nightclub owner, a social worker, a lady who has lived here for decades in the same apartment in which she grew up, a NASA scientist. Concerns were raised about affordable housing, the flood risks of building near the riverbank, impacts on local businesses and employment, preserving the unique character of Inwood, mass transit, parking, schools, and of course, the NYPL branch on Broadway and Cumming Street.

The “no’s” have it

The Inwood Branch would be out of service for years as a new building, which would include a new library and affordable housing, was being built. A resident pointed out that this would directly harm children who won’t have the resource of a local branch for several of their school years. The next nearest branch is on W179 and too far a walk for the kids.

Sandler (NYC Housing), Galai, Pahaham and Lara (Uptown United)

Cheryl Pahaham of Uptown United said the proposed rezoning will benefit people who don’t live here.  “People are being economically displaced right now.” Preferential rents are a problem, she said, because the rent can be raised at any moment, abruptly jumping $300/month. Yet the plan counts those units as rent regulated, she said.

Sagiv Galai from Manhattan Legal Services asked “who is this rezoning for?” and “why does a thriving community need to accept rezoning in order to get City investment?”  He said community improvement can’t remain contingent on rezoning and that he hears anger and dismay from people trying to keep their apartments.

Vox populi

But it isn’t only apartment dwellers that are under pressure. Wendy Genao of Broad Dykeman Car Service said the landlord wanted $86,000 under the table to renew her company’s lease. Cirilo Moronta, owner of 809 Restaurant on Dykeman, said businesses that stuck it out up here since the 80’s, when nobody wanted to be in Inwood, now find themselves being pushed out by this rezoning and it’s not fair. NY State Senator Marisol Alcantara was concerned about jobs. Current workers will be displaced and there is no assurance that construction jobs will be local hires. One area of concern is the “Tip of Manhattan.” Currently there are a number of automotive repair shops that provide decent paying work to many who lack the formal higher education to earn as much elsewhere. The plan also doesn’t include a living wage provision which means undocumented workers may be vulnerable to exploitation, injury, and even death. “We are saying no to everything that doesn’t take us into account.”

Stenographer Mirabai Knight; Aaron Simms, Inwood Art Works

Shah Ally, Chair of Community Board 12, said the CB does not support the zoning map amendments as proposed and has requested modifications regarding building height, retail size, affordable housing at the income range of Inwood residents, among other aspects. Stuart Tribbs of Democratic Socialists of America cited the role “land barons” play in the process. MAT Equities promised “100% affordable” housing if they build it. A spokesperson from Rep. Espaillat‘s office said he’s asked the Mayor to commit to creating 5,000 new units of affordable housing in Washington Heights and Inwood, with 1,000 of those units being senior housing.

Community activist Marshall Douglass told the Gazette there is a pending lawsuit challenging certain preferences in a new housing lottery. It would eliminate a  requirement that half the units must be reserved for local residents, meaning all of the new housing could go to people that don’t live up here. Aaron Simms, Executive Director, Inwood Art Works spoke about the role the arts play in this community and advocated for their inclusion in the rezoning plan. Another speaker said that it felt great to find a community of expats from her country when she was newly arrived, and it would be a terrible loss if others couldn’t experience that too. The unique character of Inwood was frequently cited as a positive that could be lost in the rezoning. Several speakers noted that rezoning is a citywide issue not confined only to Inwood or to Manhattan even.

NY City Comptroller Scott Stringer

Washington Heights born NY City Comptroller Scott Stringer popped in on his way home from an event he’d just attended in the Bronx to say how much he loves Inwood, explain why he had no press release (his drop in was unplanned), and exclaim that when he found out it was still going he just had to stop by.

 

Posters and subtitle screen

According to the timeline in a mailing from Brewer’s office, next steps include the Borough President’s recommendation (April 25), deadline for vote by City Planning Commission (June 26), and deadline for City Council vote (August 26).