Hamilton Heights Homeowners Respond
Regarding the blog posting and circulating petition by Friends of St Nicholas Park which states that the move of the Grange is in jeopardy due to the efforts of a group of individuals trying to prevent relocation, please be advised that there are a few misstatements by the Friends of St Nicholas Park, which we would like to clarify:
1) No one is trying to stop the move of the Grange into St Nicholas Park. In fact the group that initiated discussion and brought about action for this move, including advocating for funding from Congressman Rangel, is the same group that is now asking the National Parks Service to honor it’s 1995 commitment to the community. This group, Friends of Hamilton Grange, supports the move to St Nicholas Park.
2) The orientation of the house in the General Management Plan (master plan) is no longer a proposal, the process was completed in 1995 and duplicates the historic orientation. We support the GMP. Without amending the GMP and without a public hearing, (which is in violation of National Park Service regulations), the current National Parks Service administration made the decision to change the orientation from the historic one as stated in the 1995 General Management Plan. This is one of the issues that the Friends of Hamilton Grange is protesting (Friends of Hamilton Grange is a group of community and block organizations, Hamilton Terrace Block Assn, Homeowners association and the West Harlem Community Preservation Organization).
3). The National Parks Service committed to building a structure for community use and interpretive center once the Grange was relocated in St Nicholas Park. This commitment was to be in tandem with the move. We must hold NPS to this. The community does not want a vacant space on Convent Avenue, neither do they want a private developer to build a commercial, out of scale structure in that location. We want the NPS to honor their commitment and do what they have promised! The community did not advocate for funding from Congressman Rangel for a project that now goes against everything that was promised to residents of Hamilton Heights. Many advocated and won Federal funding based on the agreed terms. In addition, the Homeowners Association donated approximately $10,000 from the proceeds of our annual house tour to this project based on the initial understanding and agreement.
Neighbors, have we been without so much for so long that we are so eager to to settle for whatever is thrown our way? I urge you to come together and advocate for what’s right — which is, the National Parks Service must honor it’s commitment with regard to the relocation of the Grange to the Park with orientation as stated in the 1995 GMP and build the interpretive and community center on Convent Avenue. That’s what the Friends of the Grange is fighting for and we hope you will consider these facts and support our position.
If there are any questions, you may call the founding members of the Friends of Hamilton Grange at 212-368-7214 or e-mail info@hamiltonheightshomeowners.org.
Thank you,
Yuien Chin, President Hamilton Heights Homeowners Association &
Member of The Friends of the Grange.
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No. The NPS is wrong to turn the house around.
I am the architect who spoke at the CB9 meeting on March 20 and helped convince them to cast their near unanimous vote in opposition to the “disorientation” of the house. The house will look just fine if it is, and it will be far more historically accurate.
The NPS is making a terrible mistake, and I am working with the Friends of the Grange to convince them that this is the case.
I agree with Savona. Funding is very difficult. No one should jeopardize this. The orientation of the house should not matter. (besides the fact that it will look much better the way the NPS has proposed). Getting the Grange in to the park and finally restored is something this community has been waiting for years for. Let’s do it.
And I believe NPS will keep their promise to develop the vacant lot into a ranger station and community center so touring groups can begin their Harlem Historic Tour of Hamilton’s house there.
Good morning,
Too much attention has been paid to this move which has taken about fifteen years. It’s a good thing first and foremost. Multiple voices should be heard regarding this situation and not just one group. Granted, this one group initiated the process, but the entire community should properly benefit from it.
Government funding is very tricky. It takes alot to acquire funds and its even harder to keep. National Park Service is also a small agency within the US Department of the Interior. NY Manhattan sites (National Park Service)had to fight to get the funding and they have to abide by federal access laws. That should not be dismissed. If funds are not used within a given timeframe, then it will be taken away. This is a wonderful opportunity for West Harlem and National Park Service is committed to developing the space on Convent Avenue once the Grange move.
The opinion voiced above is the voice of very few. The Hamilton Heights Homeowners Association has long ceased to truly present the Homeowners. Their membership has dwindled down to about 50 members at the last elections. Many more Hamilton Heights residents and owners have signed the petition to move the Grange.