In East Harlem, ‘Keep Out’ Signs Apply to Renters

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/nyregion/east-harlem-landlords-keep-apartments-sealed-up.html?_r=2&src=rechp

"...In 2007, the Manhattan borough president, Scott M. Stringer, released a survey of Manhattan’s buildings that found 1,723 were significantly vacant, with three-fourths north of 96th Street. A 1998 survey by Civitas, a nonprofit group concerned with development on the East Side, found that one of four low-rise residential buildings on avenues or major cross streets in East Harlem had open stores but sealed-up residential floors, leaving many avenues forlorn at night...."

On 99th, the refurbished a bunch of these this year, with new kitchens, in-unit W/Ds, and combined apt to make a bunch of 2- and 3-bedrooms. They are going for $3-$4k each.

Very sadly, a woman was just violentlyt attacked by a group of pre teens in an East Harlem shopping center. Hopefully she recovers.

as values change the situation changes.

how many businesses looked that way on E.86th street....for years and years.
market changes, chang the street.

owners of property have the right to do what they want with property that they own as long as the property is not a safety hazard.

Unhappy? buy the buildings, fix them and rent them. Everything has a price.

I don't think east 86th ever had anywhere near as many vacant, unused buildings and lots as Harlem has now.

true that jason but, more than you might remember

the west part close to morningside park was rebuilt not completely but for the most part. imho it's a daily reminder that the housing bubble had a positive effect in some areas. that said, you can still see empty lots along douglas bt 110th and 125th.

imho for east harlem it will take another bubble for vacant lots/shells to be developed. it's part of the legacy of the red lining and rush to the burbs that crippled harlem and south bronx on the 70s and 80s (add to that the city being bankrupt).