Development Revs Up

General Motors, Potamkin to Build Harlem Auto Mall

by Amy S. Choi

East Harlem is soon to be home to the largest auto sales and service center in New York City.

The $25.3 million Harlem Auto Mall is the first dealership built north of 60th Street in the past 40 years, and city officials expect that it will bring 250 jobs and other new franchises to a city block that formerly had a carwash, storage facility and a glass shop as its only viable businesses.

"This is a great development for the Harlem community," said Jeffrey Brown, CEO of Jeffrey M. Brown Associates, the design-builder of the General Motors portion of the project. "This will be an auto mall patronized by people all over the region and is a catalyst for significant development in a lot of ways."

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Not insignificant is the vote of confidence in East Harlem by General Motors Corp., which is taking on the project in conjunction with Potamkin Auto Group of New York. Chevrolet, Saturn, Cadillac and HUMMER have signed on to be a part of the mall, which can accommodate up to six dealerships.

Potamkin is selecting two other dealerships for the property.

Both companies are committing to the mall through their minority programs. GM's Minority Dealer Development Program aims to attract and select qualified minorities to run dealerships, as does Potamkin's Minority Dealership Program.

"In general, this project, supported by GM and Potamkin, is a testament to the vibrance and future of the Harlem community," Brown said. "To help communities grow dramatically doesn't take a lot, it just takes some vision. This project will have a resonating effect on New York City."

The site, which was acquired by Potamkin from the New York City with the help of tax-exempt Empowerment Zone bonds, is being developed by Potamkin Development Co. LLC. It will stretch between East 127 and East 128 streets and Second and Third avenues, and will have glass storefront showrooms, a mechanical service floor, a used car business and back-office space. All of the dealerships will have full automotive service and repair facilities, service bays and auto storage.

The first of the showrooms and dealerships were expected to break ground in mid-February and should be delivered in January.

"It's about time that this development happened," said Harold Lyons, project executive for Jeffrey M. Brown. "Harlem is only going to get better."

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	Development Revs Up General Motors, Potamkin to Build Harlem Auto Mall