Look at all that parking, we know it's not for the shoppers that live in that nabe. Shock of all shock, is someone being used here? So in one fell swoop you can wipe out the mom and pops, create hundreds of low wage jobs that don't pay enough for someone to actually live in manhattan, add to congestion, dump thousands of pounds of exhaust and pollutants on the nabe weekly, all while furthering the suburbanization of manhattan so it looks just like Podunk, KY! Multi tasking at its finest! Bravo I say!

Wanna bet the first wave of shoppers for plasma flat scree TVs are people that live in the projects? They've got more disposable income than me. Not only do I subsidize their housing, food stamps, etc. by lowering their need to be fiscally responsible, they can more than anyone drop $1,000 on the latest flat wide screen, whereas I'm just a poor working slob trying to hold on.

quite a system we have, don't you think?

Mom and Pop shops? The bodegas in harlem suck. They offer nothing and charge too much. Its not like we are getting rid of small little cute pharmacies and hardware stores. These retailers are helping the community believe it or not. At least in this community - where the only stores seem to be Hair Salons, Bodegas (stock only with chips beer and cigs) and Nail Salons.

It is unfortunate an ugly parking lot has to be built - that DOES ruin the look and feel of Manhattan. They should have extended a subway line to it in order to offset pollutants.

I absolutely love the East River Plaza as it will soon attract more developers to the area. What I won't like is the increased traffic that will be created on 116th street. already the 150 churches along this street are allowed to double park whenever they want turning this major thoroughfare into a 1 lane street each way. add the traffic from the plaza, and this could be a traffic nightmare. why are the police allowing these people to double park??? every other neighborhood has to follow the rules but somehow Harlem seems to not be a part of manhattan - it is a whole separate universe with its own special rules...... give me a break!!!

9:48, you must be new to harlem and you would be surprised. there are hundreds of mom and pop shops, hardware stores, etc on nearly every block. the mom and pops are there, they just don't look like small town usa mom and pops.

I'm not a bit torn regarding East River Plaza. Time to try something different. Not saying that this is necessarily a panacea for the ills of this community, but let's see what happens. For me, the idea of a Home Depot within walking distance does have its charms.

I'm somewhat mixed on this project. The redevelopment of any area is going to have necessary evils. I think the development of a project like this will certainly help spur more development which will ultimately improve some of the area and bring more money. At the same time, we don't want to see a loss of that neighborhoods identity and culture. A conundrum to be sure.
I will however, enjoy the convenience of a closer Home Depot!