Bringing Harlem Back

New York City officials hope that a recently approved rezoning for Harlem will revive the neighborhood.

1 minute read

March 17, 2008, 11:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"Michael Bloomberg, New York's mayor, hopes to change this with the most sweeping rezoning of 125th Street since Kennedy was president. After working on the proposal for four years, the city's planning commission voted on March 10th to rezone some 24 blocks in and around 125th Street. The rezoning will allow at least one high-rise and more than 2,000 apartments as well as hotels, nightclubs and galleries. For the first time, it will set height limits and establish a plan for future development. It is hoped that the plan will create a cultural renaissance in Harlem as well as 8,000 badly needed jobs."

"Not everyone is happy. Some 70 small businesses could be forced to close and some historic buildings could be demolished. Critics fear long-term residents will be priced out of their homes. Gentrification over the past decade has certainly contributed to the increased cost of housing in Harlem. Others fear the neighbourhood's character will be irreparably changed because of luxury housing. The city's planning commission thinks the fears are unfounded, as 90% of the housing is rent-protected."

Thursday, March 13, 2008 in The Economist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight