"We should have the master Plan in six months," Patterson says. Of the plan, she says its purpose is to define the specifics of the vision for the area. In general, the city is looking for "something that fits into the community, maybe restaurants and we may be rebuilding the pier so something water-related like tour boats could be part of the plan," she notes.

"Whatever businesses or 'revenue-generating components' mentioned in our announcement will be planned, what we want is for them to generate enough income to sustain the parks," she adds. While the plan's role is to define the specifics, the EDC is certain it wants to create "esplanades or bikeways" connecting Riverside Park to the south and River Bank State Park to the north.

Input into the plan will also be provided by a committee consisting of elected officials, representatives from Community Board 9, city agencies, the West Harlem Environmental Action and various local organizations. Ten W, Ernst & Young and the EDC will not only be reviewing means of revitalizing the community, but technical aspects such as waterfront access and traffic issues.

Following the completion and adoption of the master plan, it is expected to take another nine months for final drafts and contract document work. The work should then be underway in the summer of 2002. The EDC describes the project area as "the West 125th Street" area and "City-owned waterfront property between St. Clair Place and West 133rd Street and extends to 135th Street to the north, Old Broadway to the east, St. Clair Place to the south and the Hudson River to the west." The Manhattan Borough President's Office, City Council Member Stanley Michels and the New York City Industrial Development Agency of the EDC will fund the project.

Michael G. Carey, the EDC's president, stated in a released statement, "The timing for the West Harlem Master Plan is right. 125th Street is booming and the Harlem Piers is an untapped resource just waiting to be developed. We plan to build on the phenomenal economic growth taking place elsewhere in Harlem and extend it to the Hudson River."

"The quality and content of the responses to our previous RFP made it evident that a comprehensive master plan for the cohesive development of the entire area was needed to enable us to attain the area's full economic potential and enhance the waterfront to the benefit of the West Harlem community," he concluded.

Instant Insights /

Harlem Piers' Future at Last Begins to Take Shape

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