Pratt Center for Community Development

Manhattan Community Board 9

West Harlem/Manhattanville
Community-Based Plan & Advocacy Surrounding Columbia Expansion

Since early 2003, the Pratt Center has been working closely with Community Board 9 Manhattan (CB9M) and the Harlem Community Development Corporation to craft a comprehensive set of recommendations to guide the future development of three neighborhoods in northern Manhattan: Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and Hamilton Heights. Find out more about the community's plan.

Community Board 9's plan for the area has guided the local response to Columbia University's proposal to expand into Manhattanville. The Pratt Center assembled a team to assist Community Board 9 in evaluating Columbia's own rezoning proposal for Manhattanville, including a review and analysis of the university's environmental impact statement (EIS) . In addition, our team is providing CB9M and the West Harlem Local Development Corporation with analysis for their use in negotiations with Columbia University over the shape of the redevelopment and a community benefits agreement to ensure that new development benefits local residents.

The Pratt Center also compiled an informational newspaper for Community Board 9 residents, The West Harlem Herald .

Other Resources:

• Pratt Center City Council Testimony, December 12
• Manhattan Community Board 9
• West Harlem Local Development Corporation
• Columbia University-Manhattanville in West Harlem
• Map of Community and Columbia plans
• Borough President's West Harlem Special District Proposal
• Pratt Center Presentation to APA New York Metro Chapter (8.82 MB)