Harlem African Burial Ground
AKRF is working closely with the Harlem African Burial Ground Initiative and NYCEDC to honor the legacy of African descendant contributions to the founding of Harlem.
The MTA’s decommissioned 126th Street Bus Depot—built atop a cemetery now known as the Harlem African Burial Ground—resides on a full city block at 126th Street and Second Avenue in East Harlem. The historic footprint of the burial ground occupies 0.4 acres on the southeast portion of the site.
To ensure proper recognition of and respect for the site in advance of its mixed-use redevelopment, AKRF has performed extensive archaeological investigations since 2015 on behalf of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.
Industry Honors
2026 Save Harlem Now! Arturo Schomburg Stewardship Award
Archaeological fieldwork led by AKRF
AKRF was first retained by the New York City Economic Development Corporation to perform a Phase 1B archaeological investigation to determine the presence or absence of human remains and/or artifacts on the site.
We then continued our archaeological work with NYCEDC, the Harlem African Burial Ground Initiative, Armand Corporation, Dr. Rachel Watkins, and Dr. Aja Lans, culminating with a special ceremony in 2025 to mark the conclusion of archaeological fieldwork.
AKRF is now analyzing the recovered human remains and artifacts in our New York City laboratory.
Collaboration with community and government leaders
The Archaeological Recovery Work Plan was developed in coordination with the Harlem African Burial Ground Initiative, New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, and other parties. The site was managed by Armand Corporation.
Additionally, AKRF prepared the CEQR Environmental Impact Statement and ULURP application—led by Philip Habib & Associates prior to acquisition—on behalf of NYCEDC for the project.
The forthcoming redevelopment project will honor and memorialize the Harlem African Burial Ground with an indoor cultural education center and permanent outdoor public memorial on the entire historic footprint of the burial ground. The project will also include affordable housing, commercial space, and additional community space on the remainder of the site.
