Take Me To The River – West Harlem Cultural Plan

As part of a team of consultants, H3 provided architectural and historic preservation consulting to the Manhattan Borough President for the implementation phase of an urban design, landscaping and cultural planning study in West Harlem and Washington Heights. Intended to build on the economic and cultural strengths of the thriving and diverse neighborhoods, the plan capitalizes on recreational opportunities and beauty of the Hudson River waterfront.

The Borough President and West Harlem Art Fund obtained a grant from the Environmental Protection Fund’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program to generate community-based planning recommendations. The recommendations aim to improve access to the Hudson River waterfront and Riverside Park; support and stimulate the area’s retail environment through streetscape enhancements; optimize the pedestrian environment; and promote and strengthen existing cultural resources and assets. With careful attention paid to the needs and wishes of community residents, local community boards, and elected offcials, the team developed a framework that includs architectural upgrades, construction of new facilities, and cultural event programming to leverage the existing cultural fabric of the neighborhood and drive visitation, retail development, and economic growth.

Through an extensive series of public outreach meetings, interviews with local organizations and public forums, we identifed an epicenter of cultural activity within the neighborhood to be located at the historic Audubon Terrace museum complex at 155th Street and Broadway. Additional enhancements included a gateway plaza on 155th Street, expansion of Ilka Tanya Payan Park, temporary structures for food kiosks, children’s play areas, and local promotion of street vendors and artists.

CLIENT: Office of the Manhattan Borough President / West Harlem Art Fund
COMPLETION: 2009
SIZE: 145 acres