By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/ Producer
Inwood — Plans to revitalize the industrial stretch of land at Sherman Creek that stretches along the Harlem River in Inwood took a step forward Wednesday night when community residents met with City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez and the Economic Development Corporation.
But one staffer at Rodriguez’s office said the councilman would like to make one more attempt to gather community input after what he called a disappointing presentation from the EDC and few residents turning out.
The proposal centers on the inlet that stretches from Dyckman Street to West 207th Street. The EDC hopes to develop a broader “waterfront esplanade” that builds on the parks in the area and makes it easier for pedestrians and bikers to visit.
The current plan comes six years after a Department of City Planning plan to rezoning the area in order to reduce its industrial feel, The plans were nixed when the community and elected officials involved could not agree,
Wednesday night’s meeting was the second community meeting held this year to gather community input about the proposed changes to the area. Rodriguez organized the second meeting because he was unhappy with the mix of community residents and organizations who attended the first meeting.
The councilman was disappointed that the number of residents living west of Broadway far outweighed residents who live east of Broadway, said his community liaison officer Yorakina Duarte.
"Last night we were supposed to hold the same meeting we held in March, but with real people who live in area,” Duarte said, “but the NYEDC only presented one project and only 43 people showed up.”
An EDC spokesman said said that a group of consultants, made up of landscape architects and urban planners, were still working on a plan to present to the advisory committee based on community input.
Rodriguez’s office is meeting to discuss potential dates for another community meeting.
The EDC, in the meantime, is scheduled to make a presentation this summer, before gathering community input in the fall. The EDC will present a final plan by the end of the year, before it goes to City Hall to request funding,
According to the EDC, five people applied to participate on an advisory board while attending Wednesday night’s meeting. Community residents who did not attend are invited to apply as well. Those interested in applying can email the EDC at ShermanCreekWaterfront@nycedc.com.
