The history of the 135th Street solid-waste Marine Transfer Station along the West Harlem waterfront reveals a story of America’s race relations during the 1950s. It was a time when the American economy thrived off of the post-war boom, and the government targeted communities like West Harlem as a dumping ground for the rest of the city. In 2004, as a result of WE ACT and other local leaders’ extensive organizing and advocacy, Mayor Bloomberg guaranteed that the 135th Street MTS would not reopen as a waste transfer facility. The city appointed WE ACT and the Manhattan Community Board 9 to determine its reuse alongside the community.
This report details the community visioning process for the marine transfer station.