NYCHA Residents Demand An End to Controversial Land Lease; Protest Banners Hung Around the City
This image has been archived or removed.
Above the FDR, Photo: CAAAV
NYCHA natives are getting restless in these, the final days of Bloomberg’s reign.
Two weeks ago, State Supreme Court Justice Cynthia Kern dismissed City Council’s lawsuit against the cash-strapped Housing Authority and its controversial infill plan, which proposes predominantly market rate housing on eight existing complexes. An apparent win for the outgoing administration.
Meanwhile, grassroots retaliation continues to spring up in the potentially affected areas. Banners demanding action from incoming mayor Bill de Blasio have surfaced around the Lower East Side, Upper West Side, and Harlem. The call to action is – “Bloomberg Let de Blasio Decide.” But that might not be any better. The mayor-elect made the following statement to The Villager earlier this year:
NYCHA land is not for luxury condos … Any future infill plan must include substantial amounts of affordable housing, the hiring of NYCHA residents for construction and permanent jobs, and the resources generated must be used to improve conditions for NYCHA families.
This image has been archived or removed.
Baruch Houses, Photo: Mighty C
And here’s one shot from the Frederick Douglass Houses on the Upper West Side:
This image has been archived or removed.
Photo: Caring Residents of Public Housing
On a side note, there really should be a comma after “Bloomberg”…
Recent Stories
LES Cop Shooting Still Cold Case 8 Years Later
Eight years later, it remains a cold case. In the early morning hours of July 5, 2012, two cops sustained gunfire during a drug bust in the Seward Park Extension on Essex Street. The shooter is still wanted for attempted murder of a police officer, and remains at large. Officers Brian Groves and Eric Corniel chased a suspected […]
Vendors Return to the Market Line on the Lower East Side
As the city slowly attempts to normalize in the wake of COVID-19 lockdown, so too does Essex Crossing. Its underground food court – the Market Line – is now back to business. Several vendors returned and are open, albeit via pick up and delivery only. Those who live within a ten-mile radius of the Market […]
Mayor’s Borough-Based Jail Plan Defunded $473M and Now on Hold
Grassroots groups in diametric opposition to the city’s borough-based jail plan this week declared victory at its delay. For now. Last week, City Council and Mayor de Blasio approved the $88.1 billion budget for the 2021 fiscal year. Within the accompanying report, the city mentioned, “Planned commitments for new borough-based jails have been reduced by […]
Elizabeth Street Garden Reopens Post-Shutdown
At a time when city folk are clamoring for more open space, the Elizabeth Street Garden comes to the rescue. The one-acre sculpture park – nestled in the middle of Little Italy – reopened to the public over the weekend. Yet, with limited hours. Temporary visitation is weekends from 10:00am to 6:00pm. There are also […]
Beverly’s Bar Shutters After 7 Years on Essex Street
The pink neons have gone dark, as Essex Street loses one of its cool kid hangs. Beverly’s, the trendy art bar founded in late-2012 by Sweet Paradise veteran Leah Dixon, closed forever last week. Just shy of its eighth birthday. A leasing sign hangs awkwardly from the rolldown gate. “We are looking reality in the […]
