West Harlem Officials and Community Group File Suit to Halt Housing Development

A coalition of West Harlem community members and local elected officials has initiated legal action against the city to stop the redevelopment of a healthcare site at 1727 Amsterdam Avenue. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on July 24, challenges the city’s plan to demolish existing medical facilities to make way for the Hill Top Apartments, a nine-story building intended to provide 199 units of supportive and affordable housing.

The plaintiffs, including the West Harlem Community Preservation Organization (WHCPO), state Senator Cordell Cleare, and Assembly Members Jordan Wright and Al Taylor, argue that the city bypassed necessary public review protocols. They contend that the project threatens the continuity of essential medical services for the neighborhood. Manhattan Democratic Party Secretary Barry Weinberg is also listed as a plaintiff in the filing.

Under the current city proposal, approved in March 2026, the site would be transferred to the Bowery Residents Committee. The project aims to dedicate approximately 120 units to formerly homeless individuals, including those with histories of substance use. While the plan includes provisions to relocate the Heritage Health and Housing center and rebuild the Emma Bowen Center on the new campus, critics argue these measures are insufficient. The lawsuit claims the new Emma Bowen facility would be significantly smaller than the current one, and that the proposed relocation site for Heritage Health is already occupied by a supportive housing project, potentially leading to further displacement.

Opponents of the current plan have advocated for an alternative proposal, previously supported by the local community board, which would preserve the existing healthcare space while creating 275 units of affordable housing. The suit asserts that the loss of the current facilities would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including uninsured patients and those receiving HIV/AIDS treatment.

City Hall has defended the project as a vital component of its strategy to address the ongoing housing crisis. A spokesperson for the Mamdani administration stated that the city is reviewing the lawsuit and remains committed to the development, emphasizing that it will provide both permanent housing and continued access to necessary social services. The administration maintains that the project underwent a thorough public review process and received approval from the City Council.