Back in January, we reported that the Lower East Side Business Improvement District had won approval from the city to hold a community festival on Orchard Street. For decades, the blocks between East Houston and Delancey have been closed to automobile traffic on Sundays. But the “bargain district” is, of course, not what it once was; the BID hoped a regular open-air event, showcasing boutiques and food purveyors (and including entertainment), would “reacivate” Orchard as a weekend destination.
Tonight, they’re appearing before Community Board 3 to present the plan for the first Sunday festival, which will be held June 3rd. The BID will be showing off renderings (see above) prepared by their pro-bono architectural firm, Dub Studios, depicting how the street will be transformed for the event. The presentation will also include a look at a prototype for a “re-invented” pushcart that will be part of the project.
The June festival is a demonstration. If all goes well, the city may sign off on more events later in the year. The BID and Dub Studios were linked up through Design NYC, an organization which “improves the lives of New Yorkers through the power of design.”
Tonight’s community board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Village View Community Room, 175 East 4th Street (between 1st Avenue and Avenue A).
sounds like no good store would want access blocked from vehicular traffic. Bleecker Street seems to do just fine without closing it down.. the problem is the quality of the shops on that stretch… it was bad years before, it’s tired now and no one wants what they are selling.. it’s as simple as that.. people want well produced and well made things, not some crap from China exported here and the luggage is garbage.
sounds like no good store would want access blocked from vehicular traffic. Bleecker Street seems to do just fine without closing it down.. the problem is the quality of the shops on that stretch… it was bad years before, it’s tired now and no one wants what they are selling.. it’s as simple as that.. people want well produced and well made things, not some crap from China exported here and the luggage is garbage.