For those who have seen my first video post, I now know what is happening to the buildings. It's a name that every New Yorker knows - Trump. Yes, people, the Donald and other major real estate companies are interested in buying properties in my area. And it is working, owners are selling.
Just so you know, I live in Harlem, NY; upper Westside for those not from NYC. My area is close to all means of transportation - trains and buses. I live 2 blocks west of Columbia University and 2 blocks east of Central Park. I have a variety of restaurants, supermarkets and stores at my doorstep.
Since moving to this area 5 years ago, I have seen twelve, yes, twelve luxury condos built. I have seen a tiny empty lot turned into a 4 floors luxury condo building. If you had ever seen this lot you would not believe they would able to build anything there much less a residential building but they did. The apartments take the whole floor and they are beautiful. The building is pictured above. It's the building in the middle and in the picture it looks bigger than what you see in person. As of yet, no one has moved in since its completion in August 2005.
The community is concerned that affordable housing will disappear. What tears at me is that when I moved here 4 1/2 years ago, I was expecting this to happen. You see, I leased out my high rise NJ condo with all its luxuries such as a doorman, pool and washer and dryer in each floor to move to Harlem. Why? I wanted to be on the ground floor to the new "Renaissance". I picked my building because it was well kept, in a great location and running in the black for over 6 years. What didn't I count on? Well, that my neighbors would become my friends. That I would come to love the small uncluttered buildings in my community. That my community has much to offer and that people here can be warm, friendly, funny and smart. I was guided with what the media portrayed Harlem to be. This is not to say that I have not seen some things that make me raise an eyebrow but it is nothing like what the media portrays Harlem to be.
So how do I feel now that my dream is becoming more and more a reality; heart-broken. Although, I feel that I will be just fine, I see how the rich is pushing the poor out. So what do I do now? I protest against this assault to my area right along with my community, shoulder to shoulder with my friends.
