About Us
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Organize and Advocate
"The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease"
The Hamilton Heights-West Harlem Community Preservation Organization ("CPO")
is a non-profit grassroots volunteer organization which seeks to bring together
the many and varied community organizations--tenant, block, homeowners associations,
local businesses and institutions to resolve issues, advocate for services from
public agencies and celebrate our unique and diverse community.
Founded in 1996, the CPO's mission is to inform, educate and advocate on issues
that impact the quality of life in West Harlem. We seek to preserve and strengthen
the architecture, culture and communities of West Harlem, to celebrate the diverse
people, culture and communities of West Harlem and to preserve its unique architecture
and historic places.
The CPO has served as the primary community advocate for many projects including
the renovation of two park medians, Johnny Hartman Plaza and Donnellan
Square; City and State designation of historic districts, the Hamilton
Heights and Sugar Hill Historic Districts; installation of vintage lampposts
in sections of the historic districts; the CPO led the battle to bring more attention
and law enforcement services to the community.
Neighborhoods and communities are strengthened through the coordination of persistent
voices and efforts of those who care! The CPO believes that the voice of the community
will be more effective when we work together to address issues and problems that
affect us all.
Areas of Involvement:
- Commercial
Revitalization and Economic Development. The CPO is working with area
organizations to bring better goods and services to our commercial corridors.
- Advocacy and Dissemination
of Information: Through a network of community leaders, activists, block
and tenant leadership, local issues are brought to the forefront for discussion
and consensus building.
- City Services:
The CPO works with the community board, public agencies and elected officials
to address the delivery of city services such as sanitation, police and transportation
among others , to ensure community needs are understood.
- Historic Preservation:
The CPO advocates for the preservation of West Harlem's unique architecture and
its historical and cultural significance spanning the Revolutionary War to the
Harlem Renaissance. The CPO supports our "second renaissance" of brownstone
restorations and the emergence of many neighborhood arts organizations.
- Beautification, Green
Spaces, Public Infrastructure:Improvement of the streetscape including
replanting trees, restoring parks, monitoring code violations and advocating for
code enforcement and increases in support services.
