Nonprofits move ahead with Mart 125 redevelopment

Saxophones and Pan-African tapas may soon fill a hole in Harlem’s nucleus.

In the spring, two local non-profits—the National Jazz Museum and ImageNation—were chosen by the city to spearhead the Mart 125 redevelopment project to reinvent a retail spot across the street from the Apollo Theater. But six months later, the blighted storefront continues to haunt Harlem’s historic 125th Street.

Contrary to the appearance of the vacant building, the proposed project is moving forward as the two nonprofits launch fundraising efforts in preparation for the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s “request for proposals,” which officials say will come early next year.

In March, the EDC, Department of Cultural Affairs, and Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone worked together to select the two cultural organizations. According to representatives from the organizations, the next step is the issuing of the request for proposals, which will help put the project on its feet through a collaborative effort between the city and the developers to manage funds and start construction.

“We are moving ahead as expected,” EDC spokesperson Janel Patterson said, adding that the recession has not strained or delayed the project thus far.

And while the city moves forward, the nonprofits are working to find the needed dollars.

Both the Jazz Museum and ImageNation said they are actively seeking funds through capital campaigns. Loren Schoenberg, executive director of the Jazz Museum, said the museum recently began a capital campaign, expected to continue for four years.

“I can’t wait,” Shoenberg said, adding that the Jazz Museum plans to use the space for offices, exhibitions, performances, and a listening library. “This is going to be a major highlight of the redevelopment of 125th Street.”

Moikgantsi Kgama, founder and executive director of ImageNation, a “media arts” organization, said it launched a $3-million capital campaign starting in January, which will raise funds for their move-in and operations.

“We are extremely excited about opening the ImageNation Sol Cinema,” Kgama said. “The ISC will enable ImageNation to provide Harlem and the tri-state area with ongoing access to progressive films and music from black and Latino communities worldwide.”

Kgama said ImageNation hopes to offer a packed calendar of films, live music, and spoken word events, along with tasty concession snacks such as Pan-African tapas and traditional soul food.

Mart 125, as the retail spot is known locally, opened in 1986 as a market that rented stalls to street vendors. The building was abandoned in 2001 when vendors could not pay rent, and it has been vacant ever since.

With this history, many local politicians have offered support for any project that would transform the space into a useful neighborhood development.

Jeanine Johnson, chief of staff to State Assemblyman Keith Wright, who represents parts of West Harlem, said, “He’s very supportive of it [Mart 125] being developed in a way that’s beneficial to the entire community at large, and it being done so as soon as possible.”