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
Pickle Guys to Close Next Week, Hope to Reopen in May
Some sour news indeed for Lower East Siders: The Pickle Guys are going on hiatus. Indefinitely. The brine stalwarts of Grand Street announced the closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which also coincides with the Jewish holiday of Passover. The pickle peeps hope to return at the beginning of May. The store will remain open […]
Straphanger at East Broadway Station Chases Down Mugger to Retrieve his Wallet
Criminals are still out there, in spite of the COVID-19 lockdown. Especially in the largely empty subway stations. East Broadway station again lives up to its dangerous reputation with a mugging there last week. According to police, a man entered the station at Rutgers Street and East Broadway at 8:45pm on March 24 to purchase […]
These Lower East Side Bars and Restaurants are Crowdfunding for their Staff [Updating]
Definitely one of the hardest hit, New York City’s nightlife scene is suffering due to the COVID-19 shutdown. So much so, that businesses are trying everting to stay afloat. Some are successful, like Forgtmenot on Division Street, which morphed into a full-fledged grocery (“The General Store”). Under the banner of staff relief, bars and restaurants […]
Adam Schlesinger, Fountains of Wayne Cofounder, Dies of Coronavirus Complications
Adam Schlesinger – whose infectious melodies with Fountains of Wayne, as well as That Thing You Do! endeared himself to a generation – died yesterday morning from complications due to coronavirus. The Emmy Award-winning songwriter was 52. His condition the day before yesterday was reported by his attorney of 25 years as “very sick and heavily […]
Daily Clap: Cheering for COVID-19 First Responders
Since last week, city dwellers confined at home have been applauding first responders in the fight against COVID-19. Each evening at 7:00pm, a citywide round of applause commences. Windows open, balconies fill, and hands emerge. Clapping – or banging pots and pans – for the tireless, selfless work of first responders on the front lines […]
