The “Trees for Orchard Street” Campaign

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Orchard Street is seemingly having some trouble living up to its name. Not a grove does this historic roadway boast. Instead, just a sparse collection of sidewalk greenery. Well, some residents are none too pleased with the overall state of the union between Delancey and Rivington, and just started a grassroots push.

We spotted this sole tear-tab flyer affixed to a phonebooth that urges residents to endorse the “Trees for Orchard Street” campaign. The petition currently has 29 signatures:

This street has the potential to be what tourists remember about Manhattan. Let’s face it: the Lower East Side is truly akin to the romanticized vision of Richard Price’s Lush Life.

An area between Delancey and Rivington, however, has fallen behind the parade. At night, muggers lurk around Gallery Bar and Lucky Jacks (both respectable and innovative establishments, whose music and concept enlighten) to target the community’s young, affluent population. The street struggles during daylight hours to display a charm and ease of the other blocks.

Because the block of Orchard Street between Delancey St. and Rivington St. displays a growing number of vacant storefronts, we propose the following improvements to be enacted by the New York City Department of City Planning, the Public Design Commission of New York City and the Mayor’s Office:

– Trees, as seen on the Orchard Street blocks North and South;
– New sidewalks;
– A two-way stop at Orchard and Rivington;
– Enforce indoor sales on weekdays.

It’s clear the author wants an upscale tourist-friendly Orchard Street that has no place for traditional bargain district vendors and the like. Trees aside, the petition calls for selling merch outside only on the weekend since weekday efforts are “incongruous with the more tasteful storefronts on the other blocks North and South.” Tasteful is a euphemism for trendy…

For the record, residents can also opt to submit requests for trees via the NYC Parks & Recreation website.