Educational Media Reviews Online

This film joins a number of others that deal with local government decisions that threaten neighborhoods. In this instance, the neighborhood is one known the world over – Harlem in New York City. In early 2008, the City Council voted 47-2 to rezone 24 blocks of Harlem, centering on 125th Street. According to supporters, the rezoning would encourage mixed-use development and create jobs, income-targeted housing, and arts and cultural venues. To the activists who opposed the rezoning, the plans would greatly change the character of the neighborhood, displacing small businesses and residents in favor of luxury high-rise housing, offices, and upscale retail. For many of the activists, this was also a struggle between the rich and the working class, between whites and blacks. According to the film, one-sixth of New York had already been rezoned under Mayor Bloomberg, changing the character of working class neighborhoods across the city.

Commentary from activists and others not involved in the disagreement is helpful for understanding the issues that concerned those opposed to this rezoning. The government officials most involved refused invitations for interviews. Footage from the final meetings of the Planning Commission and the City Council is effective in presenting the position of those in favor of the plan and the emotion of those opposed. The street scenes filmed show 125th Street, the commercial corridor with its street vendors and hair braiding parlors, and we hear from small business owners who have already been evicted. Leaders from the Harlem Tenants Union and other groups are heard from, but I found myself wishing that the voices of more residents had made the final cut.

There is no footage from the many meetings with the community that were held during the planning process. We miss seeing how the rezoning plans were presented and the general reaction to them. This is a film with a definite point of view. The filmmakers obviously believe that the rezoning review process in New York City has failed and that Council members’ ties to the development industry ensured the outcome. One of the most pointed comments comes from an historian of the area who says that while rezoning may lead to a jazz museum, there won’t be any black businesses, churches, residences, or even politicians, because rich white folks will vote for other whites.

There are a few times when voices are hard to hear at public meetings, but overall, the quality of the film is good. Its running time should fit most class schedules. Used to illustrate the emotion that can accompany rezoning efforts, the influence of development money, and the persistence of tension between the races, this film could be quite effective in the classroom, especially if balanced with material demonstrating successful efforts of citizens to shape the rezoning and development of their communities.