Commercial Development

Manhattan north of 96th Street includes such neighborhoods as West, Central and East Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. This area of over 7.2 square miles is home to a population of over 544,000 people, with gross income estimated at $5 billion annually and purchasing power estimated at $2 billion. More and more, leading national and regional retailers are recognizing the greater Harlem area as one of the most attractive markets in New York City for business development.

Harlem CDC’s Commercial Development department works with owners of vacant or underutilized commercial properties to develop plans and strategies for their redevelopment that are financially feasible and that benefit the entire community by providing services and employment opportunities. Our role may involve:

• Assessing and promoting the redevelopment potential of vacant and underutilized commercial properties, whether publicly or privately owned.

• Bringing together property owners and prospective tenants, and working with both parties to identify financial assistance packages, tax incentives and site-specific benefits that make redevelopment of an underutilized site attractive to both parties.

• Assisting local businesses and entrepreneurs by directing them to various programs and resources that can help them to implement their plans, expand their businesses and/or improve their properties.

• Working in cooperation with public sector partners, such as Empire State Development Corporation, the NYC Economic Development Corporation, and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, to generate new business activity and employment opportunities for the area.

• Attracting new or expanding commercial or non-profit enterprises and investors to Upper Manhattan.

  A Great Place...