A Relatively Unknown Corner of Manhattan Faces Planning Controversy

Manhattan Valley has seen little development, but an influx of young families, new restaurants, and a community-driven planning effort are stirring the pot.

1 minute read

December 6, 2019, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Tom Acitelli reports on changes in Manhattan Valley, "which stretches between West 96th Street and West 110th Street from Central Park to Broadway" in New York City. The neighborhood has been easy to overlook, according to Acitelli, "despite its 10 blocks of frontage on Central Park and location between Columbia University–dominated Morningside Heights to the north and the much more storied Upper West Side to the south and west," but that is changing quickly despite a lack of development investment.

"Manhattan Valley’s appeal has been rising as new restaurants spring up and young families move in. But the only significant recent development in the neighborhood has been the conversion of two city-owned garages into affordable housing complexes," writes Acitelli.

In addition to describing the market context for the neighborhood, Acitelli also notes an ongoing discussion about planning for the neighborhood's future: "The neighborhood is in the midst of a rezoning controversy, with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson announcing in September that his chamber would help advance a rezoning designed to preserve and create affordable housing."

"The city Planning Department is against the rezoning, contending it would create an insignificant amount of affordable housing. It’s unclear if the plan will advance," according to Acitelli.

Monday, December 2, 2019 in Crain's New York Business

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