Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that East Harlem will receive $10 million in funding as the New York City region winner of the sixth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Each of the state's 10 economic development regions will be awarded $10 million during this sixth round, which will total a $100 million state commitment to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

"The rich culture and history of East Harlem is an incredibly important part of New York City's story," Governor Hochul said. "Through this $10 million investment, we can help the community preserve its heritage and spur economic development within the neighborhood for generations to come. I look forward to seeing East Harlem write the next chapter in its vibrant story."

The DRI serves as a component of the state's economic development policy by transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers of activity that offer a high quality of life and attract businesses, jobs and economic and housing diversity. Like past DRI rounds, each selected community will develop a strategic plan through a bottom-up, community-based planning process that articulates a vision for the revitalization of its downtown and identifies a list of signature projects that have transformative potential and leverage further private and public investments. The Department of State will then award DRI funds to selected projects with the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and realize the community's vision.

PIX 11 NEWS

By Greg Mocker

People are always on the move around East 125th Street; the busy East Harlem corridor between First and Fifth Avenues is home to long-time residents and businesses, as well as new commercial and residential spaces.

A new stepped-up effort is underway to encourage business activity and to help clean up the area.

About a decade ago, business owners and neighbors organized a local association known as Uptown Grand Central.  

WNYC, “All Of It”

It's gift-buying season, and a good time to shop local. Jenna Milliner-Waddell, associate editor at The Strategist, recommends some holiday pop-ups and markets around New York City.

NY1 NOTICIAS

El Mercado Nocturno de Harlem en la histórica plaza La Marqueta se expande por segundo fin de semana.

Anoche, un tranvía transportó a los pasajeros en una ruta festiva por el East Harlem, y más tarde de regreso al mercado para disfrutar de la oferta gastronómica, diversión y compras de invierno.

El mercado se creó a través de una asociación entre NYC Public Markets y Uptown Grand Central.

Este fin de semana hubo un mayor número de vendedores en tres cuadras del mercado.

Y aún podrán disfrutar el resto del día de hoy y el próximo fin de semana.

Y para terminar con más diversión para toda la familia, el Mercado ofreció visitas de Papá Noel, un trampolín y una cabina de fotos de 360 grados.

AFRICA IN HARLEM

By Isseu Diouf Campbell

Kick off the holiday season in Harlem with the Harlem Night Market at La Marqueta, created through a partnership between NYC Public Markets (run by NYC EDC), Uptown Grand Central, TBo Harlem & Union Settlement.

This season’s edition returns Saturday, December 3, with an expanded number of vendors across three blocks of the market under the train tracks at Park Avenue, plus neighborhood-favorite DJs Stormin’ Norman, Ted Smooth and friends warming up the dance floor.

PATCH

By Nick Garber

Here's a taste of what's on tap in Harlem this week, including a popular night market complete with a trolley, ice-skating and lots of food.

HARLEM, NY — It's beginning to look a lot like the holiday season in Harlem.

With the lights on 125th Street officially sparkling, the neighborhood is filled with holiday events, from the return of a popular marketplace to multiple tree lightings to an unusual kind of "silent" dance party.

Here are a few of the most notable events happening in Harlem in the coming days.

Harlem Night Market at La Marqueta

The popular evening market beneath the Park Avenue train tracks is back for three weekends this year, following its well-received launch in 2019 and successful pandemic-era return last year.

The night market returns Saturday, Dec. 3, from 4-8 p.m., and again on Dec. 10 and 17 during the same times.

GOTHAM GO

By Lynn Lieberman

Kick off the holiday season in Harlem with the Harlem Night Market at La Marqueta, created through a partnership between NYC Public Markets (run by NYC EDC), Uptown Grand Central, TBo Harlem & Union Settlement. 

This season’s edition returns Saturday, December 3, with an expanded number of vendors across three blocks of the market under the train tracks at Park Avenue, plus neighborhood-favorite DJs Stormin’ Norman, Ted Smooth and friends warming up the dance floor. This year, the Event is adding trolleys and on the last weekend, an ice skating rink under the new light installation at 125th Street!

This year, there will be more family fun than ever before — including visits with Santa all three weekends, a bounce house and Harlem Night Market 360-degree photo booth.

On December 10, take a trolley from the market to El Museo del Barrio and the East Harlem Holiday Tree. On December 17, hop the trolley to our pop-up ice skating rink at Uptown Grand Central’s 125th Street community plaza, which now features a new light installation by NightSeeing called “Uptown Flash.” 

“Since its start as one of New York City’s public markets in the 1930s, La Marqueta has achieved a storied status as the heart of entrepreneurship for East Harlem and all of Uptown,” said Carey King, Director of Uptown Grand Central. “For nearly a century now, these blocks under the rumbling Park Avenue train tracks have launched thousands of entrepreneurs with great products and great ideas. It’s our honor to be a part of showcasing that vibrancy for the holidays.” 

WNYC

By George Bodarky

New York City is home to millions of people, each with their own story to tell. Stories about people or places that provide inspiration. Stories about love and loss. Stories of communities banding together in difficult times. WNYC is teaming up with the nonprofit, Street Lab, to highlight stories from neighborhoods across New York City. We recently captured a variety of voices at an Open Streets event outside of La Marqueta at 115th Street and Park Avenue in East Harlem.

WNYC / Gothamist

By Samantha Max

As elevated trains rumble overhead at the Metro North station on 125th Street in East Harlem, a team of street cleaners works 40 hours a week filling yellow garbage bags with discarded coffee cups, cigarette butts, and dirty needles.

“We’ve got to keep it safe and clean for our kids,” said Gary Linares, program director at the nonprofit Positive Workforce, which helped recruit the six-person street cleaning team. “We’re out here all types of hours, cleaning when problems arise.”

The East Harlem revitalization project, called Uptown Grand Central, recently received funding from the Manhattan district attorney’s office to pay people to beautify the area. It is one of 10 grants awarded this summer with the goal of preventing violence by investing in communities rather than waiting to prosecute crimes that have already happened. One group will use the funding to pay young people to paint murals in public housing and another will spend it on tech classes. Some recipients will spend it on restorative justice programs, healing circles, and mentorship sessions.

TIME OUT NEW YORK

By Rosilynne Skena Culgan

Grab a set of headphones and get ready to dance at this silent disco at the 125th Street & Park Avenue underpass in Harlem. You’ll hear original, commissioned sonic soundscapes from five artists that’ll be incorporated into a three-hour mix session by DJ Stormin’ Norman. When you need a break from the dancefloor, take a moment to have your picture taken by a pro photographer as part of a portrait photography series.

The event is led by the National Black Theatre with Uptown Grand Central. It's a part of the Turnout NYC initiative, a project of the Design Trust for Public Space and SITU. It's all about creating equitable arts access across the five boroughs.