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In the wake of another tragic bus accident, the neighborhood’s elected officials gathered in Chinatown today to renew their calls for stronger laws regulating interstate bus companies. More on their pleas in a moment.
First, there have been some other developments in Virginia, where the crash happened early this morning. The driver, Kin Ku Cheung of Flushing, was arrested and charged with reckless driving. He’s jailed in Hanover County, Virginia, on $3,000 bond. Cheung, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered minor injuries. Investigators are blaming the crash on driver fatigue. Continue reading Another Bus Crash, Another Call for Legislative Action
 
 Rebecca Chamberlain, "...Wouldn't it be sublime..." Installation view at DODGE Gallery As the spring gallery season winds down, we asked artist and teacher Audrey Hope to recommend some exhibits in the neighborhood. Here are her thoughts:
The Lower East Side is just choc-a-bloc with art exhibition spaces of all kinds. Some of my favorites are currently hosting a variety of imaginative exhibitions. The following shows offer a diverse range of entry points for anyone interested in checking out some art.
My favorite things in the neighborhood right now include Hilary Harnischfeger’s sculptures and wall-mounted pieces at Rachel Uffner Gallery (47 Orchard Street between Grand and Hester). Her work is on display until June 19th and deserves a careful viewing.
Continue reading Art Worth Seeing on the Lower East Side
It looks like 180 Ludlow, one of a handful of languishing hotel projects on the Lower East Side, is one step closer to being resuscitated. Financing woes, legal battles and problems with city permits idled the construction site more than two years ago. But at least one of developer Serge Hoyda’s obstacles in finishing the job has now been cleared.
In the past week, the Board of Standards and Appeals finally gave Hoyda the go-ahead to resume work on the 20-story hotel, which has plagued Ludlow Street businesses and residents for several years. Initially, the city only gave him two years to complete the project (which was approved before new height limits were imposed on this block). Now he has another two years to get the job done (May 2013 is the new deadline).
So far, no new permits are showing up in the Department of Buildings’ computer system. There’s been talk that Hoyda intends to sell the building site. As we reported a few weeks ago, Ira Yavarkovsky (who owned several parcels making up the development site), is suing Hoyda, alleging that Hoyda still owes him $12 million for the land.
Community Board 3 declined to support Hoyda’s application for an “extension of time,” in part, because he could not commit to hiring at least 20% local workers once the hotel opens for business.
 Photo: Virginia State Police Early this morning, a Chinatown-bound tour bus crashed on I-95 in Virginia, killing four passengers and injuring many others. A Virginia State Police spokesman said the Sky Express Inc. bus was on its way from Greensboro, North Carolina when it veered off the highway, hit an embankment and flipped over. 58 people were on board.
According to the Associated Press, driver fatigue is suspected as the cause of the crash. The AP adds:
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center has 10 people in stable condition, but no details were released about the extent of their injuries. VCU spokeswoman Anne Buckley says the hospital expects more patients to be transferred there from other hospitals. Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg treated eight patients, whose injuries ranged from critical to minor. Spokeswoman Deborah Morris says one has been released. Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center officials said in a release that it treated eight people for minor injuries.
On March 12, a devastating casino bus crash took place in Connecticut, killing 15 people, many of them Chinatown residents. The crash focused new attention on the safety of so-called “Chinatown buses.”
 Gentleman Farmer. In Lower East Side food news today:
- Bowery Boogie reports Dherdan Burek is getting ready to open at 91 Clinton Street.
- Cha Chan Tang on Mott Street blends Western and Eastern flavors and preparations, says Our Chinatown.
 Photo by A. Jesse Jiryu Davis. On Rivington Street, may 22, 2011 : A. Jesse Jiryu Davis is back with another series of photographs shot on the streets of the Lower East Side.
The holiday weekend is over but our beautiful summer-like weather continues. Look for sunny skies and a high of 82 today. Continue reading Good Morning!
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