HARLEM — A hotel, a museum, a park and a festival that empowers women were among the Harlem recipients to split $4.3 million from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s economic development fund.
The state gave New York City $61.2 million for 71 projects, the governor announced last week.
In Harlem, one of the biggest recipients was the Victoria Theater, which was given $1.5 million for their redevelopment project to transform the historic theater into a 210-room hotel.
“It’s great news,” said Craig Livingston, a managing partner at Excel Capital who is involved in the Victoria Theater project. “If it weren’t for state funding and state support the project probably wouldn’t happen. It’s a great day.”
The project, which is expected to produce 380 permanent jobs and 580 construction jobs, is consistent with the governor’s goal of boosting the economy, Livingston added.
Here’s a breakdown of the other Harlem projects:
► The Apollo Theater got $60,000 for their Women of the World festival.
► The National Urban League got $2.5 million for the redevelopment of a mixed-use facility that will include office and community space, a museum and residential housing on 125th Street.
► Harlem River Park was given $250,000 to conduct a site analysis and complete the design for the waterfront park between East 132nd Street and East 125th streets.
► The Harlem Chamber Players were awarded $2,400 for technology improvements.
New York City received far less funding than other nearby locales. Mid-Hudson, which includes Westchester, Dutchess and Orange counties, was awarded $82.8 million. Long Island received $81.9 million.
For a small organization like the Harlem Chamber Players any extra funds go a long way, director Liz Player said.
“We are such a small organization so we are using the funds as an upgrade to get a new computer and a new printer,” Player said.
The extra funds will allow their organization to update their website and expand, she added.
