He became involved with the Harlem Center of the Children's Aid Society while he was still at Columbia.

Construction is about to begin on the Harlem Center, a retail, office and hotel complex on 125th Street next to the Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

"Harlem Center is another tremendous project that will create jobs, investment and confidence in one of New York's most storied neighborhoods."

"As far as I know, the Giuliani adminstration was cooperating on the Harlem Center," he said.

Ms. Wysong said a national nonprofit organization, which she declined to name, was also considering the Harlem Center.

The Harlem Center is expected to house a CVS store, bringing the neighborhood a taste of the drugstore wars that are occurring throughout the city.

Neighbors complained that the parties at the Harlem Center often get out of hand, and they said that the police do not provide adequate security.

In 2002, a large retail and office complex called Harlem Center was completed at the corner of Lenox and 125th.

While still an undergraduate, he became the boys' director for the Harlem Center of the Children's Aid Society.

Prices on 125th Street vary greatly according to location and age of the buildings, which range from 100-year-old low-rise structures to gleaming complexes like the Harlem Center.