Community Survey Released For Long-Shuttered Harlem Mart 125: Take It

HARLEM, NY — The road back for a long-delayed plan to revitalize the shuttered public market on 125th Street in Harlem saw progress this week with the release of a survey from the city asking for input from the neighborhood.

Mart 125, built in 1986 as an open-air vendors' market across from the Apollo Theater, has sat mostly empty for 20 years.

While there was significant buzz surrounding its original opening, it soon fell into a state of disrepair that led to the city evicting all 50 vendors in 1998.

Now, in the aftermath of officials with the city's Economic Development Corporation telling Community Board 10 that they were making progress on a study of the space's current conditions, a survey has been sent out looking for local resident's opinions on how the market should be brought back.

"Today, New York City Economic Development Corporation is leading an effort to bring the building back to life and we want to know how the space can best serve the needs of the community," NYEDC wrote.

The survey features five questions:

• Describe your hope for Mart125 in three words.
• Which of the following types of spaces would best serve the community?
• What amenities/services could it have?
• What role can the arts play in the new space?
• How can the new space help tell the story of the past, present, and future of Harlem?

To take the survey, visit Community Board 10's Instagram and scan the code in the post below.

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The feasibility study conducted of the space by NYEDC kicked off earlier this year and found that the market was in generally good condition despite its age, though, its roof has shown signs of "wear and tear and water infiltration," EDC representative Olivia Arnow said.

About $13.5 million in funding has been earmarked for the project, though the exact cost will be determined by the ongoing study.

In the recent meetings, some community board members expressed cautious optimism about the project — though years of failed attempts may discourage too much confidence.

Read More: Harlem's Long-Empty 'Mart 125' May Stir Back To Life, City Says