Council urged to approve Harlem’s One45 housing project without further delays.

The City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises convened for a three-hour hearing yesterday to deliberate on the One45 residential development project, strategically located at the intersection of 145th Street and Lenox Avenue. This site, which has remained a truck depot for nearly a decade, holds the potential for nearly 1,000 new apartments, including a significant portion of affordable housing, thereby addressing the pressing housing crisis facing Harlem and similar neighborhoods across the city.

However, as of now, the Council has yet to schedule a vote on the project, leaving the future of these much-needed homes in a state of uncertainty. The absence of immediate action raises questions about the political dynamics at play. While the necessary data and details regarding the project are available, the Council appears hesitant to make a definitive decision, largely due to concerns about potential backlash from vocally opposed local residents, commonly referred to as Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) advocates.

Critics argue that the Council must prioritize the overall public interest over the concerns of a few politically influential individuals. Failure to act may not only waste valuable housing opportunities but could also lead to increased resident dissatisfaction with elected officials who seem inactive in addressing the housing crisis. This situation is reminiscent of past controversies, such as the political fallout for former Harlem Councilmember Kristin Richardson Jordan, whose staunch advocacy for deeper affordability ultimately led to her decline in popularity. The absence of a balanced approach to housing development in her district resulted in a missed opportunity for approximately 500 affordable units that could have transformed the community.

The choice before the Council is stark: approve a project that offers 50% affordability or allow the site to remain dormant, perpetuating environmental hazards and traffic congestion associated with its current use. Legally, any decision regarding the project must be rendered by June 30, shortly following the upcoming primary elections. The question remains whether political timelines will hinder meaningful legislative action, or if the Council will act in the best interest of the community before voters head to the polls.

It is critical to underscore that continued delays or additional hearings will not resolve the pressing housing shortage. A swift approval of the One45 development is essential to initiate the construction of units that can alleviate some of the city’s housing burdens. As the City of Yes initiative pursued by Mayor Adams aims to streamline housing opportunities, actual construction is necessary to translate policy discussions into tangible outcomes.

As housing costs continue to drive residents out of the city, it is incumbent upon the City Council to act decisively and swiftly. Approving this development will not only directly address the community’s needs but also enable a significant increase in affordable housing stock. Ultimately, the recognition of how hundreds of new affordable units can benefit the neighborhood will outweigh initial objections from NIMBY factions. It is time for the Council to take a stand and move forward with the One45 project. The coming months are critical, and timely action is essential for the viability and sustainability of Harlem and New York City as a whole.

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