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WASHINGTON - Cong. Charles Rangel today helped break ground for the West Harlem Piers project, which he described as "another important step" in the revitalization of Upper Manhattan.
"The West Harlem Piers is another important step in the ongoing economic revitalization of Harlem and the Upper West Side," Congressman Rangel said. "Our community has already been transformed by new commercial development and housing. The Piers will provide access to green grass and recreation for our residents and their children."
Congressman Rangel was joined at the event by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Board President Ken Knuckles, Chairman Charles Gargano, Empire State Development Corporation, and other officials.
Located at the western end of 125th Street along the Hudson River from 125th to 135th Streets, the Harlem Piers will transform a parking lot into an attractive waterfront recreational area. The pier will support a variety of activities including fishing, water tours, boating, as well as landscaped greens with trees. The facility will also accommodate piers which will allow excursion boats and water taxis to dock in West Harlem.
The $18.7 million project will connect West Harlem to the rest of Manhattan along the Upper West Side waterfront with bike paths and a pedestrian path.
The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) contributed more than $6 million for the project. Independent Agencies, the City Council and the Port Authority combined for the balance. UMEZ is the city-state partnership established under the $5 billion federal Empowerment Zone program authored by Congressman Rangel in the 1990's.
The West Side Piers will be additionally enhanced by the construction of a ferry terminal and streetscape improvements along 125th Street, funded by $26.8 million in federal funds secured by Congressman Rangel in the recently enacted Transportation funding bill.
The overall program is expected to create construction jobs as well as business opportunities and employment in the retail sector.
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