–“Inside Gary Barnett’s game of real estate Tetris;” how the developer of the Lower East Side mega-project known as “One Manhattan Square” is navigating choppy financial waters. [Real Deal]
–City Council member Margaret Chin defends her advocacy for affordable housing development on the site of the Elizabeth Street Garden. [Gotham Gazette]
–A look at how five school districts, including District 1 on the Lower East Side, are striving for more integrated classrooms. [Chalkbeat]
–Coss Marte tells his own story — transforming from a drug dealer to legit entrpreneur on the Lower East Side. [CNN]
–In a text message interview (no joke), Jeff Staple of Reed Space, talks about his next steps, including a partnership with Extra Butter. The collaboration came about over lunch at Russ & Daughters. [Konbini]
