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Q&A
Council Member Salaam questions developer about proposed community center and technology learning hub
0:55:59
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3 min
Council Member Yusef Salaam inquires about the proposed community center and technology learning hub in the One45 for Harlem development. Developer Bruce Teitelbaum provides details on the concept, potential operators, and funding structure for the facility.
- The technology and innovation hub is described as a unique feature aimed at training Harlem's youth in emerging technological fields.
- Teitelbaum expresses commitment to finding a suitable non-profit or private partner to operate the center.
- The developer outlines a plan to seek government assistance for capital construction and offer the space at a nominal rent of $1 per year.
Yusef Salaam
0:55:59
I have a question about the community center that that's being proposed.
0:56:03
I'm excited about the technology learning center being proposed and the opportunity that it could provide to our youth in Harlem.
0:56:09
Do you have an organization in mind that could operate this center?
Bruce Teitelbaum
0:56:13
The the the technology and innovation hub is something unique.
0:56:19
In fact, I remember during the CPC hearing, commissioner Knuckles commented that something he hadn't seen before.
0:56:25
It's truly a unique structure.
0:56:28
We talked about that in fact.
0:56:29
At our very first meeting you mentioned to me that you wanted to see something.
0:56:32
In fact, you said that's something that you're gonna insist upon.
0:56:35
We came up with this idea together as you know, a councilman and spoke to lots of folks in the community.
0:56:40
Look, the general idea is to have a center that could be used for younger adults, the kids of Harlem that could be trained in emerging technological fields.
0:56:51
We talked about this AI prompt engineering, computing, green energy, lots of different purposes with a great public space and a welcoming and safe place for the people in the community.
0:57:02
It is going to require some kind of not for profit or or or a private partner.
0:57:08
We've talked about this.
0:57:09
What I like to do is to get to work with you, the other stakeholders in the community and begin to call technology companies and to talk and and to call think tanks and other groups around this country.
0:57:21
You know a lot of of of who those folks are to come into Harlem and to then, you know, put their money where their mouth is.
0:57:28
To come work with us.
0:57:29
We're building a beautiful, magnificent state of the art center for the community.
0:57:35
I am very, very encouraged based upon preliminary conversations and my understanding of the way these things work that we'll be able to find someone suitable, incredible, first class that would provide services that we've been talking about to the community for many years to come.
0:57:52
We wanna do this with the right way.
0:57:53
We don't wanna run into this and get some fly by night not for profit group.
0:57:58
We wanna get the right group that is committed to Harlem so that this is a long term commitment to the community.
Yusef Salaam
0:58:07
Speaking to that end, what assistance, financial or otherwise, would be required from public entities to make this tech center concept a reality?
Bruce Teitelbaum
0:58:17
Yeah.
0:58:18
So what we have committed to do is to Well, let me step back.
0:58:26
The concept here is, and I've had these discussions with folks in the community and people in your office, would be that once the site or without portion of the site is developed and built, and that would require government assistance on the capital construction side.
0:58:43
So from the city of New York, the state of New York, and perhaps, again, private entities with the federal government.
0:58:48
We've had certain discussions with people at all those levels who are interested in helping.
0:58:53
And our commitment as owners and developers would be to then lease the space at a dollar a year, which is a significant loss of income for us.
0:59:04
Commercial space in Harlem and Central Harlem is valuable.
0:59:08
So what we thought was reasonable and fair and made sense was to get contributions that help to do the capital construction side of that portion of the building and then we would then lease it in essence for free.
0:59:21
So there'd be no financial burden or obligation certainly on the community or local community groups to keep that sustained.
Yusef Salaam
0:59:31
Thank you.