In an effort to bolster its business improvement and tourism programs in Central Harlem, Heritage Heights Village Initiative—a 10-year-old organization whose programs aim to emphasize the area’s historical importance—has called on Columbia for resources.
Though the appeal to the University marks the first major interaction between the two institutions, the two have a history via the initiative’s parent group. In the 1980s, the founder of Heritage Health and Housing William Hatcher negotiated with Columbia to receive $1 million.
Now, officials at the initiative wish to tap into University funds once again to extend “Heritage Mile,” a project started in 1998 to upgrade businesses along Amsterdam Avenue from 135th to 155th streets.
Dr. John Cardwell, who sits on the HHH Board of Directors, said he does not see any barriers to Columbia’s participation. “Columbia has a long history of support for Heritage Health and Housing,” Cardwell said.
He explained that since HHVI wrote its proposal for a four-year project requiring about $4 million, money trickled in “piecemeal.”
Columbia has already begun to look into the plan.
LaQuita Henry, manager of HHVI, said she had her first meeting with Marcia Sells, associate vice president for planning and program development for the University, this summer. Once Henry has more formal documents, she will be ready to follow up with Sells, she said. The two are said to be meeting again in November.
Still, no official deals have been cut.
“The organization has been in touch with the office, and they have discussed issues, but no decisions have been made,” University spokesperson Brian Connolly said.
Henry said that she has turned to other outlets as well.
“We are always looking for community partners because we want to make sure what we do also represents the views and desires of as many people as possible,” Henry said.
Since the initiative’s founding, $1 million have been obtained in grants from organizations including the New York City Department of Small Business Services, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, and the Harlem Community Development Corporation.
“Landlords and merchants are very involved in the process,” she said. “They seek out the best bid for the company to do the work, and they have to make sure they have their funds.”
HHVI distributes funds to businesses, but businesses must be able to fund 50 percent of the project. Next year, HHVI will put up $3 for every $1 the businesses can pay.
The initiative works to augment the aesthetics of the area to draw shoppers. In fact, the original goal was to make upper Amsterdam Avenue “look like an avenue someone would come visit,” Cardwell said. “We surveyed the businesses, and the businesses started organizing.”
Aspects such as damage to the sidewalk, stickers and posters that are unattractive, and discolored lampposts are in turn major factors, according to Henry.
So far, the initiative has fixed up seven buildings, or approximately 14 businesses, and two streetscape items.
And with additional money arriving in January, the initiative will be able to extend up to 152nd Street on Amsterdam Avenue, Henry said.
“We’re ready to go back for a big amount of money,” Cardwell said. “We now have the traction.”
