In Conversation: East Harlem Has Waited Nearly a Century for the Q Train. Can the Neighborhood Make It Through Construction?

Recorded live at the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute in East Harlem, this installment of In Conversation: The Affordability Series explores the optimism surrounding the long-awaited Second Avenue Subway extension, along with the concerns and impacts felt by local residents and businesses. The Q train could bring shorter commutes, better connections and new opportunities to a neighborhood that has waited generations for improved transit. Community leaders, tenants, business advocates and MTA representatives discuss what the subway could mean for East Harlem and how longtime residents and businesses can take part in its future.

Panelists include:

Melody Capote, executive director of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora InstituteAdem Brija, chair of Manhattan Community Board 11Ulices Mendez, organizer with the East Harlem Tenant UnionCarey King, director of Uptown Grand CentralLucille Songhai, MTA senior director of Government and Community RelationsJoe O’Donnell, senior director of Strategic Public Affairs at MTA Construction and DevelopmentPhoto cred: Ramsey Khalifeh- WNYC/Gothamist

Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org.

For more of Ramsey’s reporting on the Second Avenue Subway extension in East Harlem:

The Second Avenue subway forced him to move 20 years ago. He almost had to move again.Short-term pain for a long-term train: MTA subway construction upends life in East HarlemThe Second Avenue subway forced this East Harlem family from their homeAs MTA moves ahead with 2nd Avenue subway extension, East Harlem locals brace for changeOther stories mentioned:

In East Brooklyn, aging NYCHA homes get a $636M upgradeWhat NYers can expect as open enrollment for health insurance begins

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