Dr. Keith Taylor Blog

Celebrating Juneteenth - In Remembrance Of Our Ancestors

Sat, 19 Jun 2021 12:26:17 GMT

Celebrating Juneteenth - In Remembrance Of My Ancestors

As we celebrate our new federal holiday, Juneteenth, to commemorate the freedom of African-Americans from enslavement, we must remember those who fought to free them. I am very proud of my third great granduncle who fought in the Civil War as a soldier in the U.S. Colored Troops so that my enslaved ancestors could be freed from bondage, as well as to save the Union- Private Charles Canine, 20th Regiment, Company K from Ulster County, NY.

My late maternal grandmother Viola Smith with her greatgrandmother Charity Robbins (age 84) approximately 1930 in Rock Hill, South Carolina. During her early years Charity was enslaved.

This Juneteenth I encourage you to celebrate by honoring your family history and those who have inspired you.

June 15th - NYC LPC Approved the First Historic District To Be Named After an African American!

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 02:08:22 GMT

June 15, 2021 NYC Landmark Preservation Commission voted today to approve the Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District!

Dr. Taylor is fighting to preserve Harlem’s cultural and architectural legacy.

Dr. Keith Taylor's Dec. 2019 LPC Request for Evaluation was voted on today, creating the first NYC landmarked district ever to be named after an African-American, hero Harlem Hellfighter Private First Class Dorrance Brooks.

April 20, 2021 Public Hearing/Meeting

NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Virtual Public Hearings/Meetings

Public Hearing/Meeting Agenda is available here
Applicant presentations are available here

Advance to the 28 minute mark of the video below to view to Dr. Keith Taylor's presentation at the hearing.

Dr. Taylor's prepared text for the Landmarks Preservation Commission public hearing to approve the Dorrance Brooks Historical District.

Thank you for considering the Dorrance Brooks Historic District proposal. As the president of the Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association, I am proud to have submitted the historic district application on its behalf to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission for the creation of the Dorrance Brooks Historic District. Our association, along with the community and many advocates including the Historic Districts Council, West Harlem Community Preservation Organization,Save Harlem Now!and others are fighting to keep the cultural, artistic and historical integrity of our neighborhoods intact, and especially to preserve the disappearing history of the struggles and triumphs of the African-American experience in Central Harlem. One of the reasons I am so proud of this proposal is that it is the first one in NYC history to be named after an African-American, a patriot World War I soldier who lost his life fighting for America in France- despite the bitter reality of Jim Crow segregation back home. This designation is an enormous step for our goal to strengthen our voice in determining our community’s future while honoring its past. We are especially grateful that the boundaries of the proposed historic district include both Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church and adjacent rectory, as well as Grace Congregational Church, both of which were placed on the National Register of Historic Places and included as part of the New York State Dorrance Brooks Historic District designation. By including them in the landmarked historic district proposal, LPC will have input in any future changes, ensuring that they will be contextual with the rest of the district.

As Frederick Douglass stated, “Power concedes nothing without demand. It never did and it never will. Find out what any people will quietly submit to, and you will find out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which can and will be imposed upon them.” For the Harlem African-American community which has lost so much for so long, what little historical legacy remains deserves special consideration to preserve and cherish. There is no question about how strongly this community wishes to preserve the iconic architectural and cultural history left in the Village of Harlem, as evidenced in Manhattan Community Board 10 resolutions in October 2018 and October 2019 specifically requesting this effort, as well as its April 2012 Central Harlem Historic Preservation Plan requesting the same.

Over the past decades, I have watched as developers have demolished historic building after building with no relief in sight and no way to realistically fight for a community the rest of the world celebrates, treasures and visits- the birthplace of many artistic, educational, military, and political contributions from people of African descent to the rest of humanity- from the Harlem Hellfighters to the Harlem Renaissance to the Civil Rights Movement to the Me Too and Black Lives Matter movements happening now. Harlem always has been and will continue to be a “Mecca” for the African diaspora and worthy of preservation for and celebration by future generations, because the best way to honor one’s ancestors is by remembering them. This historic landmark designation will allow the Village of Harlem to continue to honor its own, and for all Americans to celebrate this country's strength through

its diversity.

Respectfully,

Dr. Keith Taylor

President, Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association

Proposed Acti on: Calendared February 2, 2021;

Public Hearing April 20, 2021 - Download the Brief

February 08, 2021 Update!

Spectrum News - City Weighing Landmark Status for Part of Harlem

-Video courtesy of NY1, thank you to Justine Re for her coverage of this segement of "Around The Burroughs"

February 02, 2021 Update

A grateful thank you to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission for keeping Mt. Calvary Church within the proposed Dorrance Square Historic District.

It is the right thing to do for Black history, this neighborhood, Harlem and American history. Mt. Calvary Church, one of the earliest houses of worship in the area, the building was begun in 1897 and designed by Henry Anderson. It was originally constructed to serve the neighborhood's German immigrant community's spiritual needs but purchased in 1924 by former members of the long-established First A.M.E. Bethel Church located at 60 West 132nd Street. By the 1940s, the church boasted one of the largest Methodist congregations in Harlem. In 1946, Shirley Chisholm was hired to be a teacher in its nursery school, and she taught there for seven years. In 1968, Ms. Chisholm became the first black woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress and, four years later, the first black candidate for a major party's nomination for President of the United States. Throughout her political career, Ms. Chisholm spoke about the impact her work with children had upon her.

The letter I wrote in support to NYC LPC Commissioner Carroll about the importance of Mt. Calvary's inclusion within the Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District:

Dorrance Brooks Property Owners & Residents Association

POB 227, College Station, New York, NY 10030

PHONE: (917) 524-9996

WWW.DORRANCEBROOKSPORA.ORG

Dr. Keith Taylor, Sr.

32 Edgecombe Avenue

New York, New York 10030

Commissioner Sarah Carroll

New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission

David N. Dinkins Municipal Building

1 Centre Street, 9th Floor North

New York, NY 10007

Dear Commissioner Carroll,

As president of the Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association (DBPORA), I am proud to have submitted the historic district application on its behalf to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission in December 2019 for the creation of the Dorrance Brooks Historic District. As you know, we are fighting to keep the cultural, architectural and historical integrity of our neighborhoods intact, and especially to preserve the disappearing history of the struggles and triumphs of the African-American experience in Central Harlem. One of the reasons I am so proud of this proposal is that it is the first one in NYC history to be named after an African-American, a patriot World War I soldier who lost his life fighting for America in France- despite the bitter reality of Jim Crow segregation back home. The community was very pleased to receive the news that the LPC intends to calendar this district for consideration as a NYC Historic District on February 2. This is an enormous step in our goal to strengthen our voice in determining our community’s future while honoring its past. However, we are dismayed by the proposed map of the district as it has been presented to us. We strongly request that the boundaries of the proposed historic district include Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church and adjacent rectory. The church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in August 2019 along with the rest of the historic district, and a few months prior in June 2019 was included in the New York State Historic District designation. Up until this month it was included in the draft boundaries of the proposed Dorrance Brooks Historic District as an integral part of the proposal to be considered on February 2, 2021.

As you are aware, the current owners of the historic church and two connected brownstones plan to tear them down to develop a large apartment building. There is no question about the church’s architectural, cultural, or historic value to Harlem and the greater NYC community. One example is that in 1946, Shirley Chisholm was hired to be a teacher in its nursery school where she taught for the next seven years. It is where she met her husband, Conrad Chisolm; and in 1968, she became the first black woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Four years later, she became the first black candidate for a major party's nomination for President of the United States. There is no question about how strongly this community wishes to preserve what little iconic architectural and cultural history we have left in the Village of Harlem, as evidenced in Manhattan Community Board 10 resolutions in October 2018 and October 2019 specifically requesting the preservation of Mt. Calvary Church and rectory, as well as its April 2012 Central Harlem Historic Preservation Plan requesting the same.

Given its acknowledged status of significance, its recent exclusion is based not its architectural, historical and cultural merits, but rather on the considerations of its future. My understanding of LPC’s regulatory decision-making is that it is not based on a developer’s re-use of property, but rather on a structure’s cultural and/or historic significance. Following the example of SHPO and the National Register of Historic Places designating the historic boundaries of the district, we urge the Landmarks Preservation Commission to do the same. Even though the church and rectory on the adjacent two lots are deconsecrated and vacant for the last several years, by including them in the landmarked historic district proposal, LPC will have input in any future changes, ensuring that they will be contextual with the rest of the district; by not including those properties, LPC is effectively disenfranchising both the concerned public and the Commissioners.

Very Respectfully,

Dr. Keith Taylor, President

Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association

Patch Article, Feb 2, 2021 by Nick Garber, Patch Staf

Harlem Historic District, Library Move Closer To Landmark Status

The city moved to consider Dorrance Brooks Squ are and a Harlem library branch as landmarks, but a historic church may still be demolished. Read more .

January 25, 2021 Update

I am very proud our proposal for the Dorrance Brooks Historic District in Central Harlem will be considered by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission for calendaring on February 2, 2021. This Harlem neighborhood has highly intact streetscapes of late-19th-century and early 20th-century architecture and rich associations with the Harlem Renaissance and Civil Rights movements. If approved, it will be the first NYC historic district to be named after an African-American, World War I Harlem Hellfighter 369th Infantry Regiment Private First Class Dorrance Brooks, a native son of Harlem whose father fought for African-American freedom in the Civil War. Proud to honor and celebrate our American patriots through remembrance and observance.

Listen to the announcement below.

Original Post: This proposed historic landmarked district will be the first in New York City history to be named after an African-A merican.

As president of the Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association, I am proud to announce that our application submitted in December 2019 to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission has been calendared for consideration by LPC on February 2nd, 2021. Private First Class Dorrance Brooks (d. 1918), was an African American soldier who died in France shortly before the end of World War I. A native of Harlem and the son of a Civil War veteran, Brooks was a Private First Class in the 15th Infantry/369th Infantry Regiment.

In World War I, African-American soldiers served in segregated regiments and were not eligible for aid from the Army Nurse Corps or the American Red Cross. In spite of these discouragements, Brooks distinguished himself as a faithful and patriotic soldier. Brooks was praised for his “signal bravery” in leading the remnants of his company after his superior officers were killed.

Dorrance Brooks Square was dedicated on June 14, 1925 and was the first park in New York City to be named after an African-American. If approved by the NYC LPC, this will be the first historic district in New York City to be named after an African-American.

Read about the life and legacy of Dorrance Brooks .

Dr. Keith Taylor

www.dorrancebrookspora.org

Dr. Taylor Comments on Recent NYPD Reform Proposal

melissa.underwager@gmail.com (Melissa Underwager) — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 03:38:21 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Update: On March 12th Fox 5 New York asked Dr. Keith Taylor what New Yorkers will experience differently as a result of the NYPD Reform changes. "A more fair, just, disciplined police force..." Taylor continues, "...that is more in tune with the needs of the community they serve which makes the community and police relationship stronger." - Dr. Keith Taylor

March 5, 2021 - Fox 5 Interviewed Dr. Keith Taylor about the upcoming NYPD reform proposal .

The Development of a Harlem Green Economy

Sat, 06 Feb 2021 22:58:50 GMT

Dr. Keith Taylor - Committed to Supporting Green Initiatives in Harlem

As per the NYC Mayor's Office of Sustainability, over 70% of NYC's greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings. Heating (and potentially linked cooling) systems, hot water systems, cooking, building envelope efficiency, lighting - these are all areas that have to be upgraded building by building in order to green Harlem. And that doesn't even begin to address the opportunity to install rooftop solar with a backup battery system to not only improve the renewable profile of the NYC electric grid but also will improve electric performance resiliency for the residents of the buildings that are getting the energy upgrades.

There are programs already in place to fund these initiatives. The problem is getting the right people to connect for planning and implementation. Specific projects must be identified, sponsored and funded in order for construction to begin and the local work force needs training to staff the construction. Dr. Keith Taylor has demonstrated and will provide the leadership to make certain Harlem residents get to enjoy the benefits of not only the end results but also the benefits from this Harlem green energy implementation.

Dr. Keith Taylor just signed the Green New Deal for New York City pledge in support of the work that New York Communities for Change is doing.

"In my Central Harlem home I have invested heavily in creating an environmentally sustainable living space by implementing smart thermostats, a tankless electric water heater, all LED lighting, and a rooftop solar system." - Dr. Keith Taylor

As the former Chair of Manhattan Community Board 10’s Economic Development Committee, Keith held a “ Harlem Green Economy Forum ” to promote efforts in Central Harlem to create a Green Economy.

Recently, as president of the Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association, he led efforts to successfully landmark his Central Harlem neighborhood as the New York State Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District as well as place it on the National Register of Historic Places, which allows residents to utilize historic tax credits to significantly supplement the costs of purchasing solar energy systems for their homes.

Keith is looking forward to supporting efforts to repealing systematically inequitable environmental policies that make Central Harlem less healthy than other neighborhoods, and will fight so that all New Yorkers can exist in safe, sustainable and healthy environments.

Green New Deal for New York City Campaign Pledge

I, Keith Taylor, agree to advocate and vote for legislation and budgeting for a Green New Deal, which includes the following critical policies:

Creating Good Jobs by Cleaning up Wasteful, Polluting Buildings

Properly fund and enforce Local Law 97 to clean up both private and public large buildings.

Enact equitable requirements to slash climate pollution for small- and mid-size buildings (not currently covered by Local Law 97) that do not raise costs for non-affluent home-owners or home-buyers.

Fund NYCHA to properly maintain and upgrade the entire system, in conjunction with state and federal funding.

Pay for replacing all gas stoves from public and rent-regulated housing to improve indoor air quality and reduce asthma.

Implement composting city-wide to reduce solid waste pollution from buildings, which creates good jobs.

Tie all city funding to high-road labor standards, including maximizing union jobs and hiring from low-income communities of color into career-track jobs.

Ending Fossil Fuel Infrastructure

Ban gas hook ups in new developments and major renovations.

Retire all oil and gas infrastructure in New York City using the city’s authority to the maximum extent possible.

Oppose all new gas infrastructure, including siting of new pipelines and power plants, which is largely controlled by New York state government.

Advocate for a rapid and just retirement of all existing large-scale gas infrastructure (pipelines, storage, distribution, and power plants) by the state.

Complete fossil fuel divestment by the pension funds and use the funds’ shareholder voting power to require corporations to shift to 100% renewable energy and zero emissions by 2035.

Advocate to change state and federal law to allow the city to limit procurement of finance, insurance and other services from firms that have not divested from fossil fuels and do not insure fossil fuels.

Take over Con Ed and National Grid, the private utilities, through state legislation or city municipalization.

Move NYC government’s electrical power purchasing to 100% renewable energy generated in New York state, including by developing publicly-owned wind and solar power and transmission into the city.

Clean Transportation

Greatly increase city funding for mass transit.
Massively expand bus service, especially in low-income and communities of color.
Implement safe street designs city-wide and prioritize biking.
Implement commercial waste transfer zoning.
Electrify the city’s vehicle fleet, as well as MTA buses.
Advocate to the federal government (as well as California and other states following California) for car mileage standards to end new gas powered car sales by 2025, subsidize transit, and subsidize low-income car-dependent owners to purchase e-vehicles through a “cash for clunkers” program.

Harlem Historic Preservation Efforts Contribute To NYS Black History Month

melissa.underwager@gmail.com (Melissa Underwager) — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 23:27:11 GMT

The NYS Historic Preservation Office has highlighted the NYS Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District in its celebration of Black History Month

Keith's efforts regarding neighborhood historic preservation have resulted in the NYS Historic Preservation Office highlighting the NYS Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District in its celebration of this year's Black History Month-

"The Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District is home of the first New York City park named for a Black serviceman. The square also served as an important site of social and political demonstrations, including a speech by President Harry S. Truman that celebrated the desegregation of the armed services. The neighborhood is listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places, the Dorrance Brooks Square Property Owners & Residents Association (DBSPORA) plan to pursue Historic District Designation by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission." Source: https://parks.ny.gov/history/black-history/default.aspx

Keith recently filled out a survey given by the Alliance for a Human Scaled City related to his efforts to preserve Harlem’s neighborhood context and scale while also increasing affordable housing. Read Keith responses to the survey below:

Dear Candidate,

The Alliance for a Human-scale City is a network of over 100 civic and community groups across all five boroughs. It's affiliated non-profit is Human-Scale NYC. Our website can be seen here. Our network reaches civic and community leaders and households across the five boroughs.

Thank you for taking this 2021 election-season survey of 30 questions. Some questions are yes/no but most have space for you to make additional comments or elaborations on the topic. If you see a white comment box, you are free to write into it, regardless of how you answered a question. Depending on how many comments you make, the survey might take 15-30 minutes of your time.

Our vision for the city and our stance and policy positions can be found on our website here. If you have questions or comments about this survey, please do not hesitate to email us at coordinator@humanscale.nyc

We will use your answers to make our decisions about which candidates to interview for our possible support. Meanwhile, thank you for stepping forward for public office!

1.What is your name? Keith Taylor

2. Party Affiliation(s): Democratic

3. Education (degrees and schools, ex: B.A. Hunter College).

Ed.D, Columbia University, Teachers College

M.A., Naval Postgraduate School

M.A., City College of New York

B.S., Howard University

4. Office Sought, (with district and borough where relevant): City Council Manhattan District 9

5. How have you earned your living the past ten years? Who did you work for? Can you give us just a brief employment history?

2018-Present

Adjunct Assistant Professor

John Jay College

2015-2017

Assistant Commissioner

NYC Department of Correction

1991-2015

Sergeant Special Assignment

New York Police Department

1988-1991

Caseworker

Harlem Dowling Westside Childrens Services

6. Previous Public Offices, Campaigns and Community/Civic Involvement:

No previous public offices or campaigns

2020-Present

Historic Districts Council

Member, Board of Advisors

2005-Present

Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association

President

2008-Present

Manhattan Community Board 10

Former First Vice Chair

Former Second Vice Chair

Former Chair, Economic Development Committee

Former Chair, Education Committee

Former Chair, Public Safety Committee

Vice Chair, Landmarks Committee

Member, Land Use Committee

2018-Present

Harlem Independent Living Center

Chair, Board of Directors

2018-2020

Pillars Holistic Recovery Support

Founding Chair, Board of Directors

2018-Present

Bronx Arts and Science Charter School

Founding Treasurer, Board of Trustees

2019-Present

Boy Scouts of America

Founding Assistant Scoutmaster, Manhattan Troop/Pack 55

Co-Chair, Big Apple BSA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Task Force

Member, Manhattan BSA Board

2017-2019

St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's School

President, Parents Association

Ex Officio Member, Board of Trustees

Parent Co-Facilitator, Seeking Equity and Educational Diversity

2012-2018

Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone

Member, Board of Directors

Chair, Nominating Committee

1990-Present

One Hundred Black Men, Inc.

Member

2018-Present

New York Guard, 56th Area Command

Officer Candidate

March 2020- Present Active Deployment National Guard JTF2 Operation COVID-19 Mission

7. Campaign Manager Name: Daniel Clark

8. Campaign Manager Contact: 646-744-8930 / dan@taylormadeforharlem.com

9. Does anyone in your household or immediate family make a living in real estate development or finance? If so, please explain. No

10. Have you taken funds from real estate, PACS/Consultant/Lobby firms or other special interest groups? If you have, please explain. No

11. Have you sought the endorsement of any groups or lobbies? If so, which ones? No

12. Have you been on a Community Board or served as a member of a governing board of any non-profit or civic group? If yes, please list the organizations and your role. If you served on a community board, who appointed you the first time? 2008-Present (Appointed by City Councilmember Inez Dickens)

Manhattan Community Board 10

Former First Vice Chair

Former Second Vice Chair

Former Chair, Economic Development Committee

Former Chair, Education Committee

Former Chair, Public Safety Committee

Vice Chair, Landmarks Committee

Member, Land Use Committee

13. Hav e you worked as an employee of a government-funded organization? If so, which one(s)? NYPD/John Jay College/New York Guard

14. Have you worked for a BID or served on a BID Governing board? If so, which one? No

15. Have you read the two policy documents on our website? Yes

16. Please elaborate on your legislative priorities, if any.

1) Legalize single-family home auxiliary units to create as many as 200000 NYC affordable housing units;

2) Create more community housing/land trusts to preserve affordable property with which to build affordable housing;

3) Incentive low and mid-rise in-fill housing on NYC's excess open land and parking lots.

17. Do you support Council member deference on land use matters? Please explain.

Councilmember deference allows the councilmember whose district a development project falls the deference to negotiate changes, including height reductions or securing other benefits for that district’s residents. I believe it is a useful and vital way for local representation to strongly advocate for its constituency concerning the community development needs and wishes of same.

18. Do you agree with the de Blasio administration's approach to affordable housing via upzoning and MIH? Please explain your response.

MIH disadvantages communities affected by mostly benefiting developers and speculators, and can be used to undercut historic districts by for instance building over historic areas with large towers. In terms of actual affordable units built, it has not had the desired effect. Additionally, the city's population has decreased, undermining one of the main reasons given for the need for MIH. The definition of affordable has also been stretched to mean different things to different people in different communities.

19. Does ULURP require reform? Please explain.

The ULURP process could do more outreach to engage those who are in working class neighborhoods like Central Harlem, as historically many residents do not have the ability to participate in community board forums and public hearings. The more residents are involved with public discussion affecting the decision-making process, the more representative of community preference those decisions become.

20. Do you see a need to reform how community boards are chosen, or how they function, or what they do? Please explain your response.

Recent reforms to how community boards function have helped improve transparency, accountability and board efficiency. Half of a community board's members are chosen by city council members, with the other half chosen by the borough president. This process should be as transparent, impartial and objective as possible. Having served on a community board in varying capacities since 2008, I believe improvements can be made in board accountability through stronger attendance, conflict of interest, and district office expeditures policies. A "boardstat" accountability system should be implemented to determine how well individual boards are meeting their required mandates and their response to community requests for assistance. Board leaders should be held accountable to addressing the board deficiencies shown through "board stat."

21. Do you have a position on the philosophy of providing public goods via public/private partnerships (examples range from Citibike to BIDs to park conservancies)? Please explain.

My general philosophy on good governance is that solutions to be problems should be innovative, cost-effective and accountable. Public / public private partnerships are a demonstration of those concepts- potentially faster project completions and reduced delays on projects; better solutions than an initiative based entirely through either public or private means; and returns on investment which may be greater than if completed solely through public or private means. There are caveats as well, including potentially increased public costs for projects; limited competitiveness needed for cost-effective partnerships; and the possibility of an inherit disadvantage to the public sector if most or all of the project expertise lies in the private sector.

22. Do you think selling air rights is a good or bad tool in land use? Please explain.

Buildings use this process to help finance building improvements or renovations, pay down mortgages, and increase reserve funds; however the upsizing of development projects due to purchasing air rights of other buildings can be a real disadvantage for the rest of the community affected. I am not in favor of oversized, out-of-context buildings built in this manner.

23. What are your thoughts about privatizing NYCHA and remediating its infrastructure?

I am for the creation of an independent public trust which will utilize federal vouchers to raise capital for substantive repairs and maintenance of NYCHA properties, avoid privatization, and greatly improve the quality of life of long-suffering residents.

24. Do you have a position on lease renewals for small business tenants? Please explain.

Generally speaking, any changes to small business lease renewals must take into consideration the differences in the economies of scale for small landlords (500 units or less) versus large ones, who can better afford longer term lease renewals. I strongly agree with efforts to stabilize neighborhood small businesses, so I would be interested in further examining this.

25. So you have a position on the Landmarks Preservation Commission and on the expansion of historic districts? Please explain.

I was involved in the creation of the Manhattan Community Board 10 Historic Preservation Plan and I am currently Vice Chair of its Landmarks Committee. As president of the Dorrance Brooks Property Owners and Residents Association I submitted the request for evaluation for the Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District, which will be considered for calendaring on February 2nd. I am working hard to expand or create historic districts within Central Harlem and will continue to do so as City Councilmember.

26. Would you support legislation to incentivize and broaden the use of "auxiliary units" (such as apartments carved out of attics, basements, and garages) among owners of single and two-family homes?

Yes, absolutely. This effort would provide substantial additional affordable housing within NYC limits; provide safety and guidance parameters for homeowners to legally convert auxiliary units, and provide real options to fight the city's homelessness crisis.

27. Would you support banning single-family homes (grandfathering in those that exist) as a zoning category for the city? Please explain.

Yes- rules that require buildings to house only a single family prevent the creation of smaller, more affordable apartments. This has the indirect effect of continuing historic patterns of segregating NYC based on class and race, which I greatly oppose.

28. Do you think there are any upper limits to density (the number of people resident per square mile)? Please explain and feel free to expand on your thoughts about how the benefits and burdens of density (at whatever levels) should be shared throughout the city.

There are upper limits to density if one wishes to preserve the character, nature and context of a community. As a preservationist, I see value in preserving the architectural, cultural and historical contributions of those who came before us. Development can and should take place, but within the context, character and considerations of the existing communities the developments/projects would affect.

29. Do you have a position on the proposal to redevelop 33 acres on Governors Island?

As District 9 Councilmember, I will carefully review all development proposals brought before City Council to determine whether or not I can support them. I will review them to determine whether the size, scale and function of the proposals are consistent with the context, needs and desires of the community they would be built in, including the Governors Island proposal.

30. Do you have a small dollar donation policy in your campaign? Please explain.

I follow the contribution guidelines of the Campaign Finance Board.

31. How far along are you to being a "viable" candidate? We are thinking about the fundraising minimums required by the Campaign Finance Board. Feel free to explain.

Regarding my financial viability, in the first nineteen days of my campaign, I raised over $20,000 from approximately 200 contributors, 113 of which are NYC residents. I will continue fundraising to campaign effectively to get the message of my experience, platforms and candidacy to District 9 residents.

32. Thank you, the survey is now complete. If you have additional comments, feel free to share.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my positions with your organization.

Keith's thoughts beyond The Washington Post article.

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 04:09:06 GMT

A sole African-American officer standing off against an angry mob of white supremacists while trying to save the lives of our elected representatives reminds me of Harlem's own poet Claude McKay. He wrote about the Red Summer of 1919, where African American WWI veteran soldiers w ere being lynched in uniform as they returned to their towns throughout the country for standing up against Jim Crow-

If We Must Die

If we must die, let it not be like hogs

Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,

While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,

Making their mock at our accursèd lot.

If we must die, O let us nobly die,

So that our precious blood may not be shed

In vain; then even the monsters we defy

Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!

O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe!

Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,

And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!

What though before us lies the open grave?

Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,

Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!

Read Full Washington Post Article : A Black officer faced down a mostly White mob at the Capitol. Meet Eugene Goodman.

The Importance of Family

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 04:09:06 GMT

As an African-American male living in Harlem, I am well aware of the pressures, hostility, barriers and burdens that we face as Black men in society simply because of the color of our skin.

I have worked hard against those forces and to be consistently transparent in my public and private lives, and I know that my actions affect my entire family. I have worked hard to be an example to my children of what a good father should be, as well as be a good husband to my wonderful wife. These are the values that I will be bringing to the City Council member’s office, and they reflect my priorities of keeping Harlem families healthy, employed and safe during and after these difficult times we are living through. I was honored to receive a “Front Page” Fathers Award from the New York Carib News a few years ago. - Dr. Keith Taylor

Dr. Keith Taylor Blog

Celebrating Juneteenth - In Remembrance Of Our Ancestors

Celebrating Juneteenth - In Remembrance Of My Ancestors

June 15th - NYC LPC Approved the First Historic District To Be Named After an African American!

June 15, 2021 NYC Landmark Preservation Commission voted today to approve the Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District!

Dr. Taylor is fighting to preserve Harlem’s cultural and architectural legacy.

April 20, 2021 Public Hearing/Meeting

NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Virtual Public Hearings/Meetings

Dr. Taylor's prepared text for the Landmarks Preservation Commission public hearing to approve the Dorrance Brooks Historical District.

February 08, 2021 Update!

Spectrum News - City Weighing Landmark Status for Part of Harlem

February 02, 2021 Update ﻿

A grateful thank you to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission for keeping Mt. Calvary Church within the proposed Dorrance Square Historic District.

Patch Article, Feb 2, 2021 by Nick Garber, Patch Staf

Harlem Historic District, Library Move Closer To Landmark Status

The city moved to consider Dorrance Brooks Squ ﻿ are and a Harlem library branch as landmarks, but a historic church may still be demolished. Read more .

January 25, 2021 Update

Original Post: This proposed historic landmarked district will be the first in New York City history to be named after an African-A ﻿ merican.

Dr. Taylor Comments on Recent NYPD Reform Proposal

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The Development of a Harlem Green Economy

Dr. Keith Taylor - Committed to Supporting Green Initiatives in Harlem

Green New Deal for New York City Campaign Pledge

Creating Good Jobs by Cleaning up Wasteful, Polluting Buildings

Ending Fossil Fuel Infrastructure

Clean Transportation

Harlem Historic Preservation Efforts Contribute To NYS Black History Month

The NYS Historic Preservation Office has highlighted the NYS Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District in its celebration of Black History Month

Keith's thoughts beyond The Washington Post article.

The Importance of Family

February 02, 2021 Update

The city moved to consider Dorrance Brooks Squ are and a Harlem library branch as landmarks, but a historic church may still be demolished. Read more .

Original Post: This proposed historic landmarked district will be the first in New York City history to be named after an African-A merican.