Harlem's New Action Network HQ To Tower Over Neighborhood

HARLEM, NY — The Rev. Al Sharpton's civil rights group is plotting an enormous new headquarters in Harlem, complete with two 360-foot-tall towers and a museum, according to plans submitted to the city last week.

The new National Action Network headquarters would rise above the block between West 144th and 145th streets, bounded by Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard.

Patch reported in January that demolition permits had been filed for the one-story buildings on that block, including NAN's current headquarters and a row of small businesses.

A draft scope of work prepared by developers reveals that the proposed project, dubbed One45, consists of the two 365-foot towers, containing as many as 939 apartments, retail and office space, the NAN's new offices and a "Museum of Civil Rights."

In order to build it, developers will need to rezone the block to allow for more dense construction and get special permits to waive height and parking limits, among other changes.

The project is not to be confused with the National Urban League's planned headquarters on 125th Street, another new development that broke ground last month and which will also include a Trader Joe's.

After moving through ULURP, the city's review process for new developments, the developers of One45 hope to start construction in 2022 and wrap up in 2026 after 38 months — or more than three years of work. (News of the project was first reported by Urbanize New York.)

The public can weigh in on the proposed development at a May 10 scoping meeting, held virtually starting at 2 p.m.

Potential to displace residents, businesses

An environmental assessment study — required by the city to determine how new projects will affect their neighborhoods — found that the NAN development could negatively affect nearby residents and businesses.

No residents will be directly forced out, but indirect displacement is possible, developers conceded. Meanwhile, the existing businesses on the site — shops, a restaurant, a gas station and the Timbuktu Islamic Center — will be forced out even if developers are unable to get their requested zoning changes.

A full environmental impact study, which developers are still preparing, will determine how much displacement the project will cause. It will also study other potential impacts like noise, shadows and its effect on neighborhood character.

More than 200 affordable apartments

The developers, listed only as One45 Lenox LLC, laid out two possible scenarios for the project.

In a "no action" scenario, where the rezoning is not approved, the existing buildings on the block would still be demolished, but replaced by five smaller buildings standing up to 98 feet tall, containing offices, retail, about 49 apartments and a medical center.

The main proposal, however, calls for the two tall towers, which would contain between 866 and 939 apartments — of which up to 282 would be affordable to comply with city rules.

Meanwhile, the Museum of Civil Rights — launched by Sharpton and former state Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman will be an educational center, with exhibits on the history of the northern civil rights movement, a laboratory for creative arts and a rooftop teaching garden, according to its website.

Its entry area will double as a programming space be "inspired by Harlem’s architecture, particularly its brownstone stoops," according to the site.

The National Action Network did not respond to a request for comment about how this museum would differ from the Urban Civil Rights Museum Experience, a similar institution being planned by the National Urban League for its Harlem project.

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