Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Predatory Company Icer Realty Destroying Light in Harlem

I live in Harlem. I love Harlem. I love the people, culture, and architecture. I love the bustling rhythms of 125 Street, and the quiet solitude of empty nineteenth century streets. What I don't love is the invasion of predatory real estate companies who buy properties here at bargain rates, through a rigged system offered by NYC Department of Finance, ( where only some people can bid at NYC auctions on defaulted property) and then proceed to tear down 19th century brownstones so they can build ugly luxury apt buildings. I also don't like it when these same realty companies. Icer Realty for instance own lots that abut my garden, and have plans to build a 7 story apt building that will destroy the light of my urban garden, and farm.
     These horrible,greed ridden companies, like Icer Realty are allowed to do evil, destructive things like this because of NYC's zoning regulations, and because no courageous City Council representatives have put forth legislation that protects the architectural integrity of neighborhoods that aren't " Landmarked". I live in a Historic District, but the houses are not "Landmarked".There is also no legislation that obligates Developers to protect the light of existing buildings.In Japan,in Tokyo there are laws that protect the light of existing buildings. We need similar laws here, and we need them now.