–Ian Schrager is getting ready to open his new Public Hotel on Chrystie Street. He has one more reason to celebrate. President Obama just pardoned the nightlife impresario, who served a sentence for tax evasion back in his Studio 54 days. [New York Post]
–William Gonzalez, who served about 30 years in prison for attempted murder, is living with his mom at the Vladeck Houses as part of a NYCHA pilot program. The program offers, “a break from the typical exclusionary policies of public housing.” [City Limits]
–Another profile of Yuh-Line Niou, Lower Manhattan’s new representative in the State Assembly. She says, “I want to be a person who unifies all of us in a way that will make our voice very strong and very loud.” [NBC News]
–The State Senate moves to kill local Council member Margaret Chin’s law that created a plastic bag fee in New York City. It’s unclear how the Assembly will vote. [New York Times]
–Another shakeup in the deBlasio administration impacts both the leadership of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the Economic Development Corp. The EDC controls several major Lower East Side projects, including Essex Crossing, the Lowline and the East River Esplanade reconstruction. [Politico]
–Delayed again! The East Houston Street reconstruction project will allegedly not wrap up until summer. [DNA Info]
–The legendary Staten Island pizza place, Joe & Pat’s, is coming to a space on 1st Avenue near 10th Street. [Eater]
