"Take Me to the River (TMTTR): Implementation Projects” is intended to build on the economic and cultural strengths of the thriving and diverse West Harlem and southern Washington Heights neighborhoods, and on the recreational opportunities and beauty of their Hudson River waterfront.

In 2007, the Borough President and West Harlem Art Fund obtained a grant under the Environmental Protection Fund’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program through the New York State’s Division of Coastal Resources to carry forward key community-based planning recommendations of the 2005 Take Me to the River Concept Plan (also created through grants obtained by the Borough President’s Office and West Harlem Art Fund), while adhering to the following key goals:

●  Improve access to the Hudson River waterfront and Riverside Park.

● Support and stimulate the area’s retail environment through streetscape enhancements, public art placements, landscaping, and sidewalk improvements.

● Optimize the pedestrian environment throughout the area by strengthening connections between the waterfront, Broadway and local cultural destinations.

●  Promote and strengthen existing cultural resources and assets.

The Take Me to the River study area is located from West 135th to 157th Streets between Broadway and Riverside Drive. The study area is set within the dynamic context of both West Harlem/Hamilton Heights and southern Washington Heights. These areas are characterized by high density residential apartment buildings, bustling retail shops on Broadway, a concentration of cultural treasures especially around Audubon Terrace, and historically significant buildings and sites.

Take Me to the River is more than just a physical improvement plan.  More importantly, it is about community building and empowerment.  A Working Group – comprised of local residents, members of Community Boards 9 and 12, elected officials, local business and property owners, neighborhood organizations and key government agencies – was an essential source of direction and feedback throughout the planning process.

Click here to view the Executive Summary for Take Me to the River: Implementation Projects.

For additional information on Take Me to the River, please contact Paimaan Lodhi, Project Manager, at 212-669-3223 or plodhi@manhattanbp.org.