Here’s Why DOT Shouldn’t Move Forward with Hated Chinatown ‘Gateway’ Art Design [OP-ED]
The winning design, Photo: DOT
A glimmer of hope came over me last month when I was informed that Department of Transportation would delay its presentation to Community Board 3 regarding the controversial Chinatown “Gateway” marker. I was cautiously optimistic that Linda Lee’s “Dragon’s Roar” design would be scrapped due to unanimous local outrage and opposition, and that the selection process could restart with actual community partner involvement.
As I sat in on one of several community roundtables hosted by the DOT to address concerns, my disappointment returned. The agency already made its decision, choosing to stick with the foolhardy “Dragon’s Roar” design. This particular meeting appeared little more than a validation session similar to the Chinatown jail outreach the mayor’s office held. Once again, the city has ignored the community and shoved their agenda down our throats.
Prior to attending the roundtable, however, I obtained renderings for 30 of the 82 RFP submissions for the project. I found several that are more appropriate for Chinatown’s Federal and New York State historical district designation. The “Dragon Phoenix” proposal by Kwong Von Glinow would be my pick as it best reflects the cultural character of this crucial crossroads.
Let’s take a look at what we’re stuck with. The “Dragon’s Roar” submission presented was misleading, trying to pass off a Thai pagoda for a Chinese Drum Tower. Images in the deck showed the pagoda with Thai dancers in the foreground. Initially I had thought the “drum tower” referred to a signal tower used in ancient China outside city walls to signal an invasion by enemies. Researching “drum tower,” I found a Wikipedia reference which contained fresh pictures of a drum performance which was uploaded in July of this year, so it’s conceivable someone has been busy laying groundwork to justify the “Dragon’s Roar” as culturally appropriate to fulfill RFP requirements. (The same slide included reference to an Italian Bell Tower.)
Regardless, at the end of the day, it’s quite clear that the city continues to use it’s ass-backwards approach to “community engagement.”
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 […]
