Community Pressure Wins Lease Extension
By: Talise D. Moorer
August 30th, 2007
Attorney Adam Leitman Bailey of the prestigious law firm specializing in such matters is the attorney of record. Contrary to sentiment expressed by some merchants concerning local politicians, Bailey told the Am News that local legislators appear eager to assist counsel and the merchants in their plight. He said that they are attempting to have the building landmarked, and proposed legislation is expected by City Council to stop demolition. Bailey stated, “By demolishing these buildings, they are ripping out Harlem’s heart and tearing out our limbs. These buildings are Harlem. These buildings are a piece of our parents, our grandparents and the hundreds of years Black Americans have assisted in making America great. From Malcolm X to the first Black architect, Black Americans have sweated in this very building to feed their children and to fight for our Civil Rights. The Save Harlem Tenant Association has hired me to make sure that this heritage lives on for another hundred years.” Legendary recorder producer Bobby Robinson, now 90 years of age, opened the first Black-owned business on 125th Street in 1946.