Columbia-Funded Group Limits 1-Year Grants to Local Groups After Criticism

The West Harlem Development Corporation, which is responsible for distributing money from Columbia University as part of a 2009 Community Benefits Agreement - has agreed to limit its one-year grants to only nonprofits based in West Harlem, Kofi Boateng, the group's Executive Director, announced last week.  The group, which has been awarding grants to nonprofits to provide services to West Harlem since 2013, came under fire from community groups after doling out half of its 1-year grants to nonprofits serving other neighborhoods, according to Rev. Georgette Morgan-Thomas, chair of Community Board 9. The image to the left illustrates the Community District 9 boundaries, which incorporates the area known as West Harlem.  The image also indicates the placement of Columbia University's campus expansion project that is underway.

To read the full article, please click here.

To read more about Columbia University's Manhattanville Campus Expansion, click here.

IZZO CONSTRUCTION

537 West 125th Street

Between Amsterdam and Broadway

212-662-5695

izzoconstruction.com

Izzo Construction is in its 3rd generation of family ownership.   Izzo is fully licensed and insured to provide comprehensive residential and commercial construction services including painting, carpentry and tiling.  Their motto reads "Imaginative-Innovative-Impeccable" as seen by their extensive resume of work.

OUR CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION

527 West 125th Street
Between Amsterdam and Broadway
212-316-7040

Our Children's Foundation is a Harlem-based educational organization.  Founded by Samuel Brown, OCF is a nonprofit organization that serves as an after-school recreational facility for the children of Harlem.  It is an everyday operation consisting of several classes in a variety of subjects and includes performances and assemblies.

Bus Lanes Coming to 125th Street in West Harlem This Summer

Streetsblog New York (blog) 

Bus riders may not be stuck in crosstown traffic on 125th Street much longer. DOT plans to extend bus lanes from Lenox Avenue to Morningside. 

"I think we have great local support and a great need," Council Member Mark Levine said, adding that buses crawl once the bus lane disappears in West Harlem. "It's a great win for people in the community." 

To read the full article, click here.

 

WESTSIDE STONE  AND MARBLE CO.

712 West 125th Street
Between 12th Ave and Marginal Street
(212) 222-4999

Looking to do some renovations? Or perhaps for some custom counter tops?  Westside Stone and Marble Co has got you covered.  Located in the shadows of the Henry Hudson Parkway 9A, this shop has got your wholesale and retail needs met- for cheap!

LEVELS BARBERSHOP

425 West 125th Street
Between Morningside and Amsterdam
(212) 663-6144
http://www.levelsbarbershop.com/


It's time to get ready for the summer season with a new hairdo.  Come on in to the West Harlem

location of these successful barbershop chain.  Begun here in 1996, Levels now has two other Harlem locations and one additionally in Brooklyn.  Supposedly, the word "levels" signifies some of owners' most important experiences in life.  Levels has been established to appeal to the individual who is looking for more than just your average haircut but a place where that individual will be able to relax in a comfortable professional atmosphere and be able to network with individuals from a wide array of industries. Levels have developed a timeless design & décor from the deep red awing to the varnished hardwood floors.  This décor enhances the curiosity of your regular passerby that it is not just your ordinary barbershop but also a shop that promotes unique appeal.  

Spotlight

COTTON CLUB

656 West 125th Street
Between St Clair Pl and 12th Ave
(212) 663-7980
http://cottonclub-newyork.com/

Pick a day of the week and they've got it.  West Harlem's Cotton Club is located beside the Viaduct and features the sort of nostalgic themed events that remind us what New York was once about including Swing Nights every Monday, Blues and Jazz every Thursday, and a Gospel Show every Saturday and Sunday during brunch hours. 

Spotlight

ECDO (Ecumenical Community Development Organization)
443 West 125th Street
Between Morningside and Amsterdam
(212) 531-3211


For over 20 years, community-based organization ECDO has been serving the needs of West Harlem.  ECDO's programmatic services include early childhood education, workforce development, housing and community development, and more.  For more information on their services or how to get involved, please visit their website.

Spotlight

UPTOWN HARLEM FLAVA
445 West 125th Street
Between Morningside and Amsterdam
(212) 222-4078


Uptown Flava displays the sort of funky, vibrant fashion that Harlem is well known for.  From accessories to pants to hats to CDs, they're likely to carry your favorite new article of clothing.  Stop by during business hours and try something on!

Hours of Operation:
10am-9pm

Spotlight

HARLEM'S FLORIDITA
125th St. & 12th Ave. Harlem
(212) 662-0090

Hours of Operation:
Sunday to Wednesday: 9am-11pm
Thursday to Saturday: 9am to 12am

Floridita's extensive menu has everything you need for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They specialize in Cuban food, but also offer many dishes from all over the Caribbean. Not hungry? Stop by for a few drinks with friends or co-workers. Check out their Beers, Sangria, and Wines. More Information

Spotlight

We invite you to visit them when you are on 125.

DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE
700 West 125th Street

Situated underneath the Riverside Drive Viaduct at 125th Street in the West Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, the Harlem Dinosaur BBQ occupies a two-story brick building next to the Hudson River. The Harlem Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is close to Harlem's famous Cotton Club nightclub.

Mon-Thurs  11:30am to 11:00pm

Fri-Sat  11:30am to Midnight

Sunday  Noon to 10pm

Restaurant:  212-694-1777

Delivery hours: 11:30 am to 8 pm

Live music: 10:30 pm Friday & Saturday

View Website

Spotlight

We invite you to visit them when you are on 125.

BTH
712 West 125th Street

 

http://www.bythehudson.com/

BTH ("By The Hudson") is an inviting, comfortable, laid-back, yet elegant New American restaurant in West Harlem. Surrounded on all sides by stunning, unobstructed views of the Hudson River and Harlem Piers, there are only good tables at BTH. The cuisine is multi-ethnic in inspiration, casually elegant, and served up fresh and with a contemporary flair.

Hours

Brunch: Saturday - Sunday  11:00am - 3:30pm

Dinner: Monday - Thursday  5:00pm - 10:30pm

Friday & Saturday  5:00pm - 11:30pm

Sunday  5:00pm - 10:00pm 

Spotlight on West 125th Expansion Area Businesses

Each Week the BID introduce you to a Businesses west of our District. 

We invite you to visit them when you are on 125th Street

FRANKLIN & LENNON PAINT COMPANY
537 West 125th Street

"We've been here on 125th Street for 81 years now" - Bryan Lennon

Franklin and Lennon Paint is family operated and was established in 1934.  Whether you're looking for a few gallons or are a building management professional or contractor, they can not only meet but exceed your expectations.  

Hours of Operation

           Monday - Friday: 6:30AM - 5:00PM 

     Saturday: 6:30AM - 12:00PM

Sunday: Closed

       Phone: 212-864-2460 

   Fax: 212-222-2019

West Harlem Alive Business Networking Reception

Please join us at the FIRST EVER Business Networking Reception for West 125th Street! This event will bring together the West Harlem businesses, Greater New York area businesses, and West Harlem stakeholders to celebrate and promote the emergence of West 125th Street as a major up-and-coming business corridor.

This event is not to be missed!! Register here.

Click to view PDF

Register Now!

W125 Streetscape Improvement Project: May Update

Click to download PDF of Project Update

W125 Streetscape Improvement Project: March Update

Click to download PDF of Project Update

West 125 Viaduct Lights

At our last Merchants' Meeting, we were joined by representatives from EDC to discuss the streetscape project on West 125th Street. One of the aspects of the project will be gorgeous lighting installed under the 12th Avenue Viaduct, slated to be completed in 2016.
Besides looking beautiful, bringing even more charm to the area, and accentuating the elegant viaduct, the lights will also turn blue when a train approaches the 1 station.
"The improvements are intended to create connections between the various forms of transportation — subway, bus, bikes, and pedestrian — while promoting a vibrant street life on W. 125th St." For more information on the viaduct lights, read the full article at the NY Daily News

First Meeting of 2014

2014's First West 125 Merchants Alliance (steering committee to expand the BID boundaries) Meeting was held on Tuesday, January 28th at West Harlem Development Corp.

  

Some of the businesses in attendance included: Rite Check, ECDO, Amalgamated Bank, Duane Reade, and MyTime Academy; in addition to community representatives from the NYPD 26th Precinct, L&M Development Partners, and Community Board 9. Special Guests included: NYC EDC, who provided an update on the West 125th Street Streetscape project, and the New York Chamber of Commerce, who expressed interest in working with the group to help businesses in Harlem connect with other businesses in the City.

The next step in the process involves assessing the needs of the property owners, which is in progress. The next meeting will be held at the end of March.

Upcoming Merchants' Meeting Agenda

I am very excited to present our agenda for the upcoming Merchants' Meeting on Tuesday, January 28th. This meeting is a great opportunity for businesses and property owners on 125th Street west of Morningside to learn about the streetscape project coming to your area, and to get a better idea of resources available to you. Please RSVP! (212) 662-8999 or jsilverberg@125thstreetbid.com. I hope to see you on Tuesday!

 

Upcoming Meeting & ECDO Announcment

In case you haven't heard, the upcoming merchants' meeting has been rescheduled for January 28th. We hope to see you then!

I am also happy to announce that ECDO is in the process of screening for new interns and businesses interested in becoming worksite partners for their Young Adult Internship Program!

                    Interns: click here                                             Employers: click here

This is an incredible opportunity for young adults to acquire paid work experience, and for employers to hire trained individuals who are fully paid by the Department of Youth and Community Development. Call ECDO at (212) 531-3211 for more information or to apply.