Few people know that New York City trumps Silicon Valley when it comes to high technology. And this lead will be considerably increased once Manhattan Neighborhood Network opens its new Community Media Arts Center in East Harlem.
“This facility will support the revitalization of East Harlem and Upper Manhattan,” said Dan Coughlin, president of MNN during a recent press conference. He envisions a multifaceted project, a state-of-the-art broadcast center in an old firehouse, located on 104th Street between Lexington and Third Avenue.
Built in the 1880s, the firehouse has been vacant for more than 20 years and will require a complete gutting and restoration, said Eileen Newman, board chair of MNN. Last week, the building was awarded landmark status.
“I’m really looking forward to producing my shows from this location,” said Jose Serrano, a teenager who is part of MNN’s Youth Channel and host of his own show, “The Jose News Show.”
Coughlin said it may be a year or more before the center is fully up and running, and additional funds are still needed to complete the four–story facility, which will include live broadcast and production studios; multipurpose meeting, exhibition and performance spaces; editing, camera and studio facilities; and broadcast access and training.
On the top floor of the building there is still residue of hay used to feed the horses that used to occupy the building as late as 1922.
“We have a lot of work to do here and we will begin immediately,” said Jane Greenwood of Kostow Greenwood Architects.
Cynthia Carrion, director of the Youth Channel, echoed Greenwood’s projection. “Starting tomorrow, things around here are going to be different,” she told the small gathering of supporters, including Elbert Garcia from Congressman Charles Rangel’s office.
Coughlin also announced that Don Rojas, who worked as station manager at WBAI–FM when Coughlin was executive director of Pacifica [Pacifica Radio, community radio network], has been hired as a consultant to help shore up plans to give the facility platforms in new media, particularly on the web.
“Everything seems to be swinging decisively toward the Internet, and MNN should be poised to enter with all the state-of-the-art tools necessary to make it a major player in the market,” Rojas said.
Since 1992, MNN has gradually expanded its cable capability, earning national praise for maintaining its public access mission. “Currently, we have four public access cable television services,” said Zenaida Mendez, MNN’s director of external affairs. “And we are particularly proud of our Youth Channel.”
When the center is finally up and running, residents can expect an enhancement of the network’s already rewarding successes in racial diversity, ethnic and geographic communities of Manhattan.
