The site of an old gas station in Harlem might turn into a parking spot for trucks.
Developer Bruce Teitelbaum has been saying he will open a truck depot after a deal to build the city’s first green energy district and close to 1,000 apartments collapsed before coming to a vote in the City Council last spring.
“I made it very clear to the councilmember that there were very few options that we had on that site,” Teitelbaum said.
What You Need To Know
- Bruce Teitelbaum has been saying he'll open a truck depot after his development project collapsed last spring
- Harlem One45 promised close to 1,000 apartments, half of them at different levels of affordability
- Harlem Councilmember Kristin Richardson Jordan opposed the project citing gentrification concerns and lack of affordability for long term residents
- Signage for a truck depot came up last week, but website and phone numbers listed are not operational
The One45 project could have included more than 450 units of affordable housing, but Councilmember Kristin Richardson Jordan was against it — citing gentrification concerns and lack of affordability for long-term residents.
She declined NY1’s interview request on Wednesday, but in a statement she said in part: “This is not a logical shift of plans. It is now abundantly clear that Mr. Teitelbaum is determined to continue a disrespectful and damaging campaign against Manhattan’s last predominantly Black community.”
Signage for the truck depot was put up last week, but so far there’s no activity at the site, and the website and phone numbers listed are not operational.
When asked whether he’s still hoping for an eventual deal, Teitelbaum seemed open.
“My desire is to do something terrific for the community in Harlem,” Teitelbaum said.
The lot is part of a larger site that includes the headquarters of Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.
Assemblymember Al Taylor represents the area and will run against Richardson Jordan for the council seat next year.
He says he could have reached a deal with Teitelbaum and is asking him to reconsider.
“If you were really interested in this community,” Taylor said, “and you did the work you understand the felt needs of this community, why would you bring this?”
Other controversial development projects that needed rezoning from the council were eventually approved this year after long negotiations with elected officials.
It’s unclear whether this one will come back for a second chance.
“It takes two to tango,” Teitelbaum said. “We have always been willing, more than willing. That was our plan!”