Alex Gerald | The Lo-Down : News from the Lower East Side

NYCHA Adds Third Digital Van, Expanding Internet Access For Public Housing Residents

NYCHA unveiled its third “digital van” – a computer lab on wheels – at the LaGuardia Houses on Tuesday. …

Average Condo Sale Price Drops on LES, Increases Citywide

While the average sale price of a condo unit on the Lower East Side plummeted between the first and second quarters of 2016, it rose citywide during the same period, according to a Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) report released this week. …

Sara D. Roosevelt Park Coalition Fights to Reopen Stanton Street Building

Community organizers hosted a “visioning session” last week, bringing community organizations and LES residents together to brainstorm possible uses for the Stanton Street building, and plan to follow up with a series of workshops – starting tomorrow. …

Businesses Still Closed at 95 Delancey St. After Partial Facade Collapse (Updated)

Businesses at 95 Delancey Street remain closed today as a sidewalk shed – scaffolding designed to protect pedestrians from falling debris – is constructed around the building. …

July Fourth Fireworks Show — Back on the East River Monday Night

Are you ready for an East River light show? Macy’s 40th annual Fourth of July fireworks show is, of course, coming up on Monday …

Tenant activists rally outside Cooper Union before the vote. Photo: Alex Gerald

Rent Guidelines Board Approves Rent Freeze for One Year Leases

Monday night’s Rent Guidelines Board meeting in Cooper Union’s Great Hall opened with chants of “Fight, fight, fight – Housing is a right!” and “El Pueblo unido jamás será vencido!” …

Community Members Voice Concerns Regarding Beth Israel Downsizing

Lower East Side residents will get another chance tonight to address Mount Sinai officials about their decision to close Beth Israel’s current facility and build a new hospital on 14th Street. …

Going Out of Business Sale: Belraf Fabrics Closing After 33 Years on the LES

Belraf Fabrics will be closing its Orchard Street store on June 30 after 33 years on the Lower East Side, and the owners are offering bargain prices until then. …

Croman tenants rally outside the Manhattan Supreme Court in June of 2016.

Tenants Make Themselves Heard as Croman Case is Pushed Back

Two controversial landlords who own a number of Lower East Side buildings were confronted by their tenants Tuesday morning. …

Croman resident and LES organizer Cynthia Chaffee speaks at Stabilizing NYC's press conference at City Hall. Photo: Alex Gerald

Stabilizing NYC Coalition Releases Report, “Banking on Gentrification”

Tenants, elected officials and community organizers released a report yesterday intended to highlight the banking industry’s role in New York City’s housing crisis. …

The "Culinary Kids Farm Rockaway Project" in Queens (photo courtesy of ioby)

Neighborhood Challenge Offers Matching Funds for Community Projects

This summer, a nonprofit community engagement platform, “In Our Backyards” (ioby) is kicking off a new neighborhood challenge to help Lower East Side residents bring their community-based project ideas to fruition. …

Friday is the Last Day to Register For Congressional Primary

Friday, June 3 is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming congressional primary election, which will be held on June 28. …

Streetwear Brand, Sabit, Closes Clinton Street Store

Sabit The Shopp at 43 Clinton St. closed down last week after almost two years on the Lower East Side. …