MUD Workshop

Design + Planning


East Harlem DRI




East Harlem’s DRI process sought to direct strategic, community-driven investment into a neighborhood that has long been impacted by systemic disinvestment and economic instability. The resulting plan channels public resources toward projects that strengthen commercial corridors, expand community services, and improve public spaces while preserving the character of this historic district.

ProjectEast Harlem DRI

LocationManhattan, NY

ClientNY Department of State

CollaboratorsHR&A, VHB, Sherpa Construction and Consulting

ServicesVisioning, Outreach and Engagement, Downtown Revitalization, Public Space Design



East Harlem is a predominantly Hispanic and Black neighborhood facing rapid change due to rezoning, gentrification, and shifting economic dynamics. Despite its strong cultural fabric and active commercial corridors, the area has struggled with high retail vacancies, safety concerns, and underutilized public spaces—conditions exacerbated by decades of uneven investment. Recent infrastructure and housing projects have introduced new opportunities but also heightened concerns about displacement and the future of local businesses.

Public Workshops
Public Workshops


MUD Workshop led the East Harlem DRI planning process through a six-month engagement effort involving a 17-member Local Planning Committee, government agencies, and a broad cross-section of residents and stakeholders. Through workshops, small-group meetings, and surveys, the community identified priority investments that would deliver tangible benefits to long-term residents and small businesses. MUD Workshop translated this input into a Strategic Investment Plan that recommended projects for capital investment.


Revitalising Storefronts


Transforming Streets into Green Corridors


Establishing a Gateway Community Space


Re-envisioning Iconic Murals


Project development included feasibility assessments, cost analyses, and coordination with City and State agencies to align funding and implementation pathways. The final plan directs $10 million toward sixteen transformative projects that address long-standing inequities while fostering economic vitality and safer, more welcoming public spaces.


East Harlem DRI: Project Summary Report



Thumbnail
East Harlem DRI Prioirty Sites
East Harlem DRI: Project Summary Report
Public Workshops
Community Visioning
Local Outreach Event at National Night Out
Public Workshops
Public Workshops
Revitalising Storefronts
Establishing a Gateway Community Space
Transforming Streets into Green Corridors


Related Projects
Long Island City, Queens
Long Island City DRI
East Harlem. NY
East Harlem Gateway
Manhattan, NY
116th Street Revitalization




ContactCareers  
© 2026 MUD Workshop All rights reserved.