By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
EAST HARLEM — After years of neglect and vandalism, including the theft of its copper roof, the Marcus Garvey Amphitheater is getting a $7 million renovation thanks to MTA funds provided as a concession for Second Avenue subway construction.
The MTA agreed to put $4.9 million toward the East Harlem park's renovation after it became clear that subway construction would temporarily put a park on E. 96th Street out of commission.
The amphitheater renovation, which is scheduled for completion next spring, will feature a bigger stage with improved acoustics, new seating made of recycled plastic and a fabric canopy to provide shade, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe announced during the renovation's groundbreaking ceremony Thursday.
“This is really going to become the outdoor version of the Apollo,” Benepe said in front of the park's dilapidated 39-year-old band shell.
Since 1998, the Parks Department has completed a number of renovations to the 20-plus-acre park, located on the west side of Madison Avenue between E. 120th and E. 124th streets. Many of the park's paths and stairways have been restored and a baseball diamond was refurbished.
In addition to the amphitheater's renovation, Congressman Charles Rangel is attempting to procure funding to repair the park’s landmarked Mount Morris Fire Watchtower, the world’s first cast-iron tower, according to the Parks Commissioner.
“Like a lot of parks, [Marcus Garvey] had fallen on hard times,” said Benepe. "But due to activism, the city putting in money, and public private partnerships, step by step the park has been dramatically improved. Of course, there is still work to do.”
The co-founder of the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance, Valerie Jo Bradley, was optimistic about the theater's future.
“It’s the premier outdoor performance space in Harlem, at least as good as the Delacorte,” Bradley said.
“And no, we are not going to be doing Shakespeare,” Bradley added. “We are going to be doing Langston Hughes in the park.”
