Partner Nicole Bass; Professor Viren Brahmbhatt
Using failure as a catalyst, we saw that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted issues of gentrification in New York City, especially in disenfranchised neighborhoods like West Harlem.
We focus on the Manhattan Community District 9 Needs and Budget Requests Report and found West Harlem’s top pressing need is crime prevention programs. This would manifest as an educational center with a driving force of a professional school and a mental health center dedicated to the youth.
 These programs, site typology, and reclaiming and repurposing liminal space and thresholds of publicness in Manhattanville Housing, West Harlem are an attempt to combat the 
deteriorating effects gentrification
, while acknowledging the process as part of a larger natural life cycle of a community. 
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