Harlem Burial Ground Memorial & Cultural Center

In the early 2000s, an intensive documentary study found the potential for a historic cemetery in the vicinity of the East 126th Street Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bus Depot. An active burial ground from the mid-17th to mid-19th century, the discovery presented a unique opportunity for city government and community residents to begin an investigation of the early African residents that lived, died, and were buried on the site. In 2009, the Harlem African Burial Ground (HABG) Task Force was formed to preserve and memorialize the African Burial Ground that memorialize the lives of those buried.

In May 2017, NYC Economic Development Corporation engaged Lord Cultural Resources to conduct a business and operations plan for the proposed memorial and cultural center component of the mixed-use development site. Through robust stakeholder engagement, including workshops with the Harlem African Burial Ground Task Force, case studies, interviews with key stakeholders and opinion leaders, the business plan outlined a sustainable plan for the Cultural Center that aligned with priorities, themes and goals that emerged from the planning process.. 

In September 2017, City Council voted to approve the land use application for the Harlem African Burial Ground Memorial & Mixed-Use Project.