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June 2011
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Good Morning!

Along Clinton Street yesterday afternoon, Go Skateboard Day, a worldwide annual event, was celebrated in style.

Look for scattered thunderstorms today, especially in the afternoon, and a high of 81. Continue reading Good Morning!

LES Businesses, Police Discuss Orchard Street Crime

A meeting involving the 7th Precinct and Lower East Side business owners to discuss security concerns on Orchard Street just wrapped up at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center.  The event was organized by the LES Business Improvement District in the aftermath of last week’s violent robbery at Pilgrim, the vintage clothing store at 70 Orchard.

After that disturbing incident, a number of other retailers came forward to say robberies and other crimes had become a major problem along the neighborhood’s main commercial corridor in recent months.  Today’s question and answer session in a sweltering second floor theater space was standing room only. Continue reading LES Businesses, Police Discuss Orchard Street Crime

Orchard Street a Week After Robbery: A Happier Ruckus

This afternoon, residents and business owners along and around Orchard Street are meeting with police and local civic organizations to discuss crime prevention in the wake of a violent robbery on June 14. We’ll have more on today’s discussion later, but in the meantime, last Tuesday’s sirens have been replaced by wailing guitars.

Here’s the scene on Orchard between Grand and Broome streets right now: a sidewalk concert by NYC bands Dirty Fences and Jail Bait, hosted by The Cast, a boutique that’s directly across the street from the scene of high drama last week and whose owner was one of the merchants who helped police nab three of the four suspects.

 

Lower East Side Lens: Eldridge St. – June 3, 2011

Yesim Ak on Eldridge Street, June 3, 2011

Continuing our series of street portraits by A. Jesse Jiryu Davis.

Lower East Side BID Responds to Crain’s Retail Story

Over the weekend, Crain’s New York published a story suggesting that all is not well on the Lower East Side when it comes to the viability of fashion-centric shopping destinations.  The LES Business Improvement District is out with a response. Here it is:

The Lower East Side Business Improvement District (LES BID) is extremely disappointed that Crain’s did not reach out to us for its story on the LES retail scene (“Lower East Side’s fashion faux pas,” June 20) to provide information for a more balanced and informed story.

Undoubtedly, some retailers in almost every New York City neighborhood are struggling; however, Crain’s focused on a single retailer that happened to be located on the Lower East Side, out of more than one thousand. Scores of LES businesses have survived the recession, and many retailers are flourishing, such as Any Old Iron, Kaight, James Coviello and By Robert James, just to name a few. Moreover, commercial vacancies in the neighborhood have dropped by 14 percent in the last year alone, pointing to the LES as a much sought after retail hub. Continue reading Lower East Side BID Responds to Crain’s Retail Story

Rent Law Standoff, Chinatown BID Battle, Houston Street Wall News

  • Albany is deadlocked on expanding rent laws (NYT).
  • Housing advocates rally before next week’s Rent Guidelines Board vote (Daily News).
  • The group fighting the Chinatown BID gets some tabloid ink (Daily News).
  • Chinese artist Liu Bolin will “camouflage himself” in the Kenny Scharf Houston Street mural today (EV Grieve).
  • And, by the way, here’s what’s next for the East Houston Street wall (EV Grieve).
  • The Wu Tang Physical Cultural Association will be displaced by the Mars Bar and surrounding buildings are demolished (Jeremiah).

More on the Shooting at 85 Pitt Street

More on the fatal shooting last night on Pitt Street. Unnamed Daily News sources say the murder happened “close to the home of someone who took out an order of protection against” the victim, 23-year old Jonathan Alston of Brooklyn. Continue reading More on the Shooting at 85 Pitt Street

This Morning on Pitt Street

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This is the scene right now at the intersection of Pitt and Rivington streets after last night’s shooting. The street is roped off; a NYPD crime scene van is parked in front of the corner bodega. The area is bustling, with people heading to work and school.

Breaking: Fatal Shooting on Pitt Street Last Night

We received two tips late last night about a shooting that happened on Pitt Street, between Rivington and Stanton, around 1 a.m. According to the NYPD, a 23-year old man from Brooklyn was shot in the head and killed.

The violent incident occurred in front of 85 Pitt. According to a police spokesman, the 7th Precinct (located one block away) responded at 12:33 a.m.

Jonathan Alston was rushed to Beth Israel Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Alston lived at 70 Bush Street in Red Hook. Police say no arrests have been made and there are no suspects at this hour.

One resident who lives near the crime scene emailed us: “The scene is gruesome, with a long deep red trail of blood making its way through the cracks in the sidewalk and onto the street.The cops arrived even before I was able to finish the phone call to 911.”

If you have more info or photos, you can email us at: tips@thelodownny.com.

Good Morning!

Essex Street, below Grand

It’s officially summer on the LES! Partly cloudy this morning with increasing clouds as the day goes on, and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Look for a high of 83. This afternoon, the LES BID will hold a meeting for local merchants in the neighborhood to discuss ways to improve safety in the wake of the recent assault and robbery at Pilgrim.

This evening, CB3′s Arts Task Force will hold an Arts Education Forum followup and over at Tenement Talks, you can learn about how one small font (Helvetica) changed subway signs forever.  Speaking of Tenement Talks, they are co-hosting our fun night of LES Trivia at Fontana’s next week. Please join us – it’s free and we’re providing snacks and great prizes from the neighborhood! Visit our Calendar for details on these events and more.

CB3 Wire: Tonight’s Liquor License Hearing

34 Avenue A.

Two hours and 15 minutes into Community Board 3′s SLA Committee hearing, the panel deadlocked on the first of 16 liquor license applications under consideration tonight. In a replay of a very familiar debate, both supporters and opponents spoke out about a (somewhat) revised proposal by LES restauranteur Phil Hartman and music promoter Todd P. for 34 Avenue A.  Committee members could not agree whether to support the plan for a combo restaurant/bar/performance space. So the full board will be called on to decide later this month.

Also, a few minutes ago, the committee voted to deny the renewal of Culturefix’s wine/beer license. The bar/art gallery/performance space at 9 Clinton is facing legal troubles and State Liquor Authority violations for alleged underage drinking. Committee Chair Alex Militano argued that Culturefix is operating contrary to its initial proposal, presented to the community board last year. It’s pretty clear the owners felt they didn’t get a fair hearing this evening (we may have more on this tomorrow).

More to come…

Rent Rally Reaches Cooper Union

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Right now, elected officials – including City Councilwomen Rosie Mendez and Margaret Chin are rallying with housing activists at Cooper Union. Inside, the Rent Guidelines Board has been hearing testimony throughout the day.

Happening Now: Chin Rallying Housing Activists

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Right now, City Councilwoman Margaret Chin is rallying housing activists in Chatham Square. They will be marching to Cooper Union, where the Rent Guidelines Board is meeting.

Lower East Side Lens: The Bowery – June 2, 2011

June 2, 2011. The Bowery.

This week, we continue our ongoing series of street photographs from A. Jesse Jiryu Davis.

Neighborhood Wedding:Match Made Over a Bag of Beans

Nicole Slaven and Ed Kaufmann shortly after exchanging vows on Saturday night at the Angel Orensanz Foundation on Norfolk St.

The stunning Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts was shimmering in blue and silver light on Saturday evening for the heartwarming wedding of Nicole Slaven, owner of the local coffee shop, Dora, and Ed Kaufmann, a roaster for the indie coffee company, Stumptown Coffee Roasters. The two met in 2008 when Kaufmann, who is also a veteran barista, was managing Kaffe 1668 in Tribeca. They later met up to “pal around” at a specialty coffee convention in Houston, and the rest is history.

Continue reading Neighborhood Wedding:Match Made Over a Bag of Beans