There are two meetings happening this evening addressing issues important to a lot of people in the neighborhood.
First, Community Board 3's transportation committee will be briefed by city officials on proposals to deal with the proliferation of charter & tour buses throughout Chinatown and the Lower East Side. According to CB3's agenda, there will be a presentation of the "Lower Manhattan Street Management Bus Layover
Options Study Final Report – consider(ing) alternative parking
solutions for buses serving Lower Manhattan, including possible use of
Pier 42." Located at the end of Montgomery Street, Pier 42 is supposed to one day become an "urban beach and boat launch." However, city officials have said there's no money to rehabilitate the pier now.
A report released by affordable housing advocates in October was critical of failure to find financing for the project. During the summer, downtown political representatives persuaded the city to scrub plans to use Pier 42 as a "staging area" for World Trade Center construction. Residents have grown increasingly frustrated, as private bus companies have taken over city streets and sidewalks, creating traffic congestion, spewing exhaust and loitering in front of residential buildings. The meeting takes place at 630pm, at the Rutgers Community Center, 200 Madison Street.
The other meeting will address changes to the NYC Schools kindergarten and pre-K admission policy. It's being co-sponsored by District 1's Community Education Council, Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh and Senator Daniel Squadron. They pushed for changes in the policy, after receiving numerous complaints from parents. DOE officials will be on hand to explain te proposed changes. The meeting begins at 6pm. It will be held in the auditorium at the Corlears Complex, 220 Henry Street.
