A long-abandoned school building in East Harlem is getting a massive $50 million makeover and will in a couple of years offer affordable housing, artists' workspaces and space for community organizations. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months and P.S. 109 will be ready for occupancy by early 2014.
P.S. 109 in East Harlem was a public school built back in 1902 which was permanently closed over a decade ago after it started to fall into disrepair. Now, the abandoned eyesore is about to get a new lease on life.
"P.S. 109 is going to be a used as a mixed-use facility," says Shawn McLearen, the project manager of ArtSpace. "It brings together affordable housing for artists and their families, live/work-spaces, with non-residential spaces for arts and community organizations."
The rundown old space on East 99th Street will soon be transformed into 90 affordable housing units that will range from studios to two bedrooms. Rents will run from $600-$1,100 dollars per month. Five units will serve as space for arts and cultural related non-profits and the building will also offer various amenities for the community.
The building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means much if its architectural significance and history will be preserved in its new life.
The $50 million project is a result of a partnership between ArtSpace Projects, a national nonprofit real estate developer for the arts, and El Barrio’s Operation Fightback, an East Harlem community development organization.
Construction is expected to begin in the coming months and P.S. 109 will be ready for occupancy by early 2014.
