New York City officials led prospective vendors on a tour of a vacant, trash-strewn lot in East Harlem on Wednesday, the designated site for Mayor Zohran Mamdani's planned $30 million city-owned grocery store. The tour, organized by the city's Economic Development Corporation (EDC), included potential bidders who wore hardhats at the under-the-Metro-North viaduct location near La Marqueta, though no construction work has yet commenced.
Attendees remained tight-lipped about the project's viability, with some expressing uncertainty about submitting a bid. Phillip Grant, founder and CEO of Phillip Grant & Associates, described himself as "cautiously optimistic" about the project's potential to address food deserts. He emphasized the need for a "full, transparent partnership" that involves the public and can adapt to market forces, transportation, and weather.
The proposed grocery store is part of Mayor Mamdani's campaign promise to open five city-owned supermarkets, one in each borough, aimed at lowering grocery costs. The plan includes offering a core basket of staples at a 30% discount, excluding alcohol. The overall initiative is expected to cost taxpayers $70 million, with the first store slated to open in The Bronx next year. The East Harlem store is projected to cost $30 million and open in 2029.
Currently, local businesses like American Deli Mini Mart, located nearby, express concern about the competition. Owner Elvis Arias, 33, worries that the city-owned store will negatively impact his business, especially given existing high taxes.
The EDC is currently soliciting requests for proposals from vendors. One wholesale food distributor noted that the city is requiring a single operator to manage the entire project, from procurement to operations, a broader scope than initially anticipated.
Waverly Neer, senior vice president of groceries at the EDC, characterized the tour as productive, stating that community members, local organizations, and prospective operators were present and expressed excitement about the opportunity.