Groundbreaking For Huge Urban League Center Celebrated In Harlem

HARLEM, NY — Officials gathered Thursday outside 121 West 125th St. — the site of the forthcoming 18-story Urban League Empowerment Center — to mark what was billed as a "construction kickoff" by Governor Andrew Cuomo and a "groundbreaking" by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The event was what U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand branded a "community celebration" to thank many of the project's partners, such as Target and Empire State Development.

The event was largely ceremonial. Construction at the site began in October 2020, with a visual timelapse capturing progress of the 18-story center.

But Thursday's event – held days before Juneteenth - heralded the project's mission and accomplishments.

The $242 million, 414,000 square foot center will house the National Urban League's headquarters and its Institute for Race, Equity and Justice, as well as the Urban Civil Rights Museum—potentially the state's first civil rights museum.

It will also include 170 units of affordable housing and below-market office space for nonprofits and community groups including One Hundred Black Men of New York, United Negro College Fund New York and Jazzmobile.

There will also be a Target and Trader Joe's coming to the space.

Related coverage:

• Gov Signs Bill For Harlem Nonprofit HQ, Civil Rights Museum
• Trader Joe's Coming To Harlem As Part Of Major Development

"It's going to be the largest mixed-use development in Harlem to meet the needs of the community and revitalize the neighborhood," said Governor Andrew Cuomo in a statement.

It'll likely be another three years before it's completed.