Fighting Gentrification With Historic Designation

Business leaders in New York have proposed declaring Harlem's 125th Street as historic zone in an effort to stop gentrification in the area.

1 minute read

February 28, 2008, 12:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg

"Adam Leitman Bailey, a lawyer who was born in Queens and grew up in New Jersey, has devised a novel way to halt gentrification in Harlem. Mr. Bailey, 37, has proposed having 125th Street, from river to river, declared the 'Harlem Historic Zone,' which he believes would make it more difficult to tear down the neighborhood's old buildings and replace them with new ones."

"And though Mr. Bailey has become a strong advocate for historic preservation along 125th Street, he is not a disinterested party: He represents a group of Harlem business owners who are in the process of being evicted to make way for a shopping mall."

"Because Mr. Bailey realizes that the historic district idea is likely a long shot, he has also done what lawyers do: Filed a lawsuit in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, challenging the evictions. On Jan. 30, he won a temporary injunction against demolition. The next court date, is next week."

FULL STORY: Should All of 125th Street Be Declared Historic?

Thursday, February 21, 2008 in The New York Times

History / Preservation Urban Development New York Gentrification Harlem

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