About Us

At 117 to 120 Street Association, our homeowners are dedicated to enhancing our members’ day to day life and maintain our community’s high standard of living.

Get to Know Us

A diverse and close-knit neighborhood

Situated in the intersection of East and Central Harlem, the 3 Coop Buildings and ~60 3 family townhouses are newly built 20-30 years ago. We feel that it is one of the most pleasant areas in Harlem. Our beautiful community has tree line streets and plenty of sun, and we are just 7 blocks away from Central Park and 3 blocks from Marcus Garvey Park. Our residents are truly multi-cultural and came from all walks of life. One would be hard pressed to find a friendlier and more inclusive neighborhood in Manhattan than ours!

At 117 to 120 Street Association, our homeowners are dedicated to enhancing our members’ day to day life and maintain our community’s high standard of living.

Area of the Harlem East Block Association

117th Street to 120th Street between Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue. There are more than 500 families

Our mission:

01.

Advocate for economic development, safety, and clean environment. Present a unified front to elected officials to fight for these priorities, so inaction of officials will have real consequence. For example, we advocate for:
More trash cans, more parking, more street lights, expedited rat remediation

02.

Less empty store fronts and empty lots, less scaffolding,
Reduce excessive concentration of drug treatment facilities and single men homeless shelters

03.

Build local community. Help local residents in need, esp. elderlies (e.g. home maintenance issues). Encourage residents in our block to get to know each other and participate in local activities. Support our local businesses

WHY CHOOSE US

What do we do to further our mission?

1. Each year, organize 1-4 block zoom meetings to share info and a few block events (e.g. Halloween, Community Garden meet up, voter registration, block party)

2. Actively distribute news regarding our area to encourage residents to build a community and improve civic engagement

3. Organize/Support initiatives to beautify our streets and deter littering, rat control, …etc.

4. Partner with nearby community organizations and block associations where applicable, e.g. Mount Morris Park Improvement Association (MMPCIA), Harlem Neighborhood Block Association (HBNA), Uptown Grand Central

OUR ADVOCACY

Empowering Our Community, One Initiative at a Time.

Building a Safer, Greener Community

Our advocacy is rooted in the belief that a safe and sustainable environment is essential for a thriving neighborhood. We work with residents, local businesses, and leaders to promote eco-friendly practices and enhance community safety.
Through regular clean-up initiatives, safety awareness programs, and sustainable development projects, we strive to create a cleaner, more secure environment. Our goal is to empower everyone to take part in building a resilient, vibrant community that benefits both people and the planet.

FairShare - Reduce Excessive Density of Social Services

We join force with the Greater Harlem Coalition to push back on NY State using Harlem as a containment zone. East Harlem has 1.4% of NYC's population but 14% of methadone distribution capacity
Excessive placement of drug treatment and harm reduction programs in one small area is structural racism.

Hold Lantern Org Accountable

We petition for safer living environment in Prospero Hall and Schafer Hall, both supportive housing managed by Lantern Organization on 118th Street. There is serious drug dealing inside and outside of the buildings We petition to have a community advisory council that continue to review their ability to manage and help their tenants.

Safer Streets. Stop Open-Fair Drug Use

3 Safer Streets. Stop Open-Fair Drug Use Driven by multitude of factors, the 3 blocks between 115th and 117th Street along Park Avenue became an open-air drug scene with users shooting up under broad day light in front of our children. We need more mandatory treatment programs. (See some videos from some neighbors, our testimony to City Council Public Safety

Stop adding more social services to zip code 10035

Department of Mental Health placed 600 patients in SROs in zip code 10035. This is 5.6% of all New York State's patients. New York State is considering adding 100 more patients to zip code 10035, bringing the % from 5.6% to 6.4% in Timbale Terrace We petition for this structural racism to stop. Click here see the excessive concentration of services currently near us

Affordable Property Tax

(1) Help our co-ops building extend their expiring 421a or other tax abatement so as to keep the mortgage expense affordable (2) Stop Comptroller Brad Lander's from raising property tax rates in Harlem via his Fair Rates campaign

Reduce over-concentration of drug treatment programs

How can you help?

Follow us on social media. Most active is whatsapp, IG, FB, website
Invite your neighbors to join the block association by filling in this form
Join our meetings and attend events, especially activism events
Volunteer to become a captain of your building

How are we organized?

1. The organization comprised of ~10 blocks, each of them are assigned 1-4 coordinators/captains
2. There will be 6-12 meetings amongst captains each year to discuss matters concerning the block
3. Captains are expected to keep your block’s contact list current. Recruit residents from to join our events, social media sites or your mailing list