Today is the opening day for the Harlem Auto Mall, the largest auto sales and service center in the city. It is the first auto dealership north of 60th Street in 40 years. There are actually two dealerships in the mall, one selling Chevys and Saturns, the other Hummers and Cadillacs. The pictures above were taken in late-January, before the cars arrived.
Progress is slower on the Home Depot-Costco-anchored shopping plaza a bit further south in East Harlem. This project was announced in March 1998. Known as East River Plaza (includes pictures), the original cost estimate was $87 million. A June 2004 article (scroll down) in the Times estimated the cost at $215 million. An article from earlier this year mentions a new developer, Forest City Ratner, and a new cost - $315 million. Groundbreaking is expected this year, but for now you can still see all the way to Queens.
It's that time of year: WFMU is holding their annual fundraising marathon. Donate and see the amazing marathon map.
WONDER WHAT THE REAL PRICE WILL BE??
HALF A BILLION AT LEAST.
HOW NICE.
Posted by: [email protected] | 01 March 2006 at 05:54 PM
this is awesome for this area. how unbelieveable.
Posted by: ab | 02 March 2006 at 11:59 AM
The cost is a real puzzle. You have to sell a lot of bathroom fixtures to clear 300 million.
Posted by: joe | 02 March 2006 at 10:25 PM
Thanks for linking to the WFMU marathon map!
- Kenzo (author)
Posted by: Kenzo (lastever.org / kenzodb.com) | 11 March 2006 at 09:48 PM