Preserve Harlem’s Cultural Legacy By Halting The Demolition Of West 119th Street Building

MMPCIA was contacted by the Deputy Counsel and Director of Community and Intergovernmental Relations of the Landmark Preservation Committee (LPC) on August 26^th, 2023.

Informing us they had just learned of the Dept. of Buildings (DOB) issuance of an immediate emergency demolition order for both 66-68 West 119 Street in Harlem, NY.

MMPCIA was contacted by the Deputy Counsel and Director of Community and Intergovernmental Relations of the LPC on August 26^th, informing us they had just learned of the Dept. of Buildings (DOB) issuance of an immediate emergency demolition order.

The LPC stated they were surprised by the demolition order as they understood the new owner was hiring an engineer and had recently met with the owner and DOB onsite. They are informed that the owner was granted a stay order. They were also told that activities of significant concern were subsequently carried out in the buildings, reportedly leading DOB to issue the emergency demolition order.

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Shortly after learning of the demolition order, MMPCIA board members contacted neighboring residents and our community partner, Save Harlem Now, who connected with our State Senator Cordel Cleare. Senator Cleare immediately met with DOB to ask for more information.

Unfortunately, years of non-maintenance and unsuccessful code enforcement led us to lose more landmarks in our neighborhood. Landmark preservation is at the core of MMPCIA’s mission. They continue to strengthen our advocacy work with our community partners, landmarks preservation organizations, and the LPC to be advocates.

As a next step, we seek a list of at-risk buildings. The goal is to intervene before the emergency demolition orders. This list is not punitive to owners; it is designed to enable MMPCIA to proactively engage our neighbors as a resource and continue to lead practical advocacy work to protect our landscape.

Donate to MMPCIA. Support their fight to protect our landmarks, resolve quality of life issues, and sustain the DISTRICTS’ historic architecture and cultural history.

You can purchase tickets for their Wine Tasting and FUNdraisser event at Harlem Wine Gallery on Adam Clayton Powell Blvd in Harlem on Tuesday, September, 19th, 2023 6:30 pm EST.

It’s an opportunity to connect with MMPCIA’s Landmark and other action committees.

Somellier Charlies Springfield will be on hand to help wine beginners and enthusiasts. Fantastic Black Wine Maker’s wines and their stories will be featured throughout the night.

Timnit Abrha, MMPCIA Landmark Committee Lead and Madlyn Stokely, MMPCIA President