Last week we got a look at a part of the Bowery Mission that definitely is not on the official tour. From the basement of their historic building, 227 Bowery, you can see something’s amiss. For the past several months, shorings have been reinforcing the Bowery Mission’s crumbling sidewalk.
This is, of course, a temporary solution. The sidewalk is owned by the city, but like all property owners, the Mission is responsible for its upkeep. The project is expected to cost around $300,000. One of the city’s most venerable social service agencies, the Bowery Mission takes great pride in its self-sufficiency. Partly to avoid conflicts related to its faith-based approach to recovery, the organization runs on private donations.
But at a time when the homeless problem in New York is worsening, the Mission is hoping the sidewalk repairs can be paid for using government funds. Last Thursday’s walk-through included representatives from the offices of State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senator Daniel Squadron, as well as members of Community Board 3. They all said they’d begin exploring financing options.
