Harlem Landmark In-the-Making Promises NY's First-Ever Civil Rights Museum

An historic civil rights organization is going to establish its new headquarters in Harlem.  

The National Urban League's new 42,000 square foot center will be a venue for retailers, affordable apartments, conferences, and the state's first-ever civil rights museum. Charles Hamilton, a lawyer for the group, said the project will hold great cultural and economic significance for Harlem.

"It's shared vision of the future of Harlem," said Hamilton, "This is going to be the largest commercial project that's ever been done in Harlem, and it bodes well for the future."

Hamilton also said the civil rights museum will showcase memorabilia chronicling Harlem's role in the social advancement of African-Americans, going all the way back to the late-19th century.

"What we want [is, when people] step into the museum, they really feel as if they're going back in time and gaining a sense of [Harlem's] march of history."

The Urban League Empowerment Center is expected to create over 500 jobs and will open in 2017.