%archive_title% | The Lo-Down : News from the Lower East Side

Free Bike Lights

Until 7pm, the NYC Department of Transportation is handing out free bike lights at several locations, including on the Manhattan side of the Williamsburg Bridge.

Getting it in Gear With an East River Park Workout

There’s still some time left to get outside and enjoy some gorgeous fall weather here on the Lower East Side — before winter sets in. If you like to work out outdoors, East River Park (which is oh, SO slowly being revitalized but still relatively under utilized) is a great place to do it.

We asked local trainer and true L.E.S. “native” Aldo Corniel of Ludlow Fitness to give us some tips for exercising outside.

Marco Polo Day Celebrated on Grand Street

Community leaders and Councilmember Margaret Chin at Marco Polo Day.

This past weekend, we stopped by Marco Polo Day, a celebration of our neighborhood’s Chinese and Italian communities. Held on Grand Street, the event is sponsored by the Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, which spearheaded the designation of the Chinatown-Little Italy Historic District. Marco Polo Day is one way in which Two Bridges and other community organizations are trying to revitalize tourism and small business in the new district. City Councilmember Margaret Chin and State Senator Daniel Squadron were both in attendance.

Fish Fight, Cupcake Tyranny, Bia Garden Closing

Fish aficionado Keith Masco sees “no reason to bow to the communists at the community board.” (EV Grieve)

9th Precinct report: Campos Plaza violence, bike lane enforcement, press paranoia (Blah, Blog, Blah).

Cupcake crazed gentrification is inspiration for New Yorker cartoon (Jeremiah).

Bia Garden shuttered; reopening as Asian tacos joint (Fork in the Road, Bowery Boogie).

The Clerkenwell looks to expand (Zagat).

Tom Sellick film shooting near 1 Police Plaza today (Newyorkist Twitter feed)

TLD Interview: Neighborhood Activist Brett Leitner

A lot of people have big expectations heading into tonight’s fourth and final mediated discussion on the future of the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area (SPURA). At the last session, in August, facilitator John Shapiro acknowledged members of Community Board 3’s SPURA task force are still far apart on the contentious issue of affordable/market rate housing. He urged participants to use the summer recess to decide whether they have the stomach for compromise.

Brett Leitner, a Grand Street resident who recently became involved in the SPURA debate, hopes the answer is “yes.” As the driving force behind a new organization called SHARE, he believes it’s finally time for the community to set aside old feuds and make a deal. Last week, I sat down with Leitner to discuss the infamous redevelopment site in the shadow of the Williamsburg Bridge and what his group is trying to accomplish.

Good Morning!

A chilly start today — only 49 right now. It’ll be partly cloudy and 64. Rain in the forecast tomorrow.