The Lower East Side is, of course, where one of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s biggest first term embarrassments played out (the Rivington House debacle). But that’s not keeping hizzoner from bringing his election-year charm offensive to the Lower East Side.
The mayor will appear at a town hall meeting next week, on Wednesday, June 21. It will take place at the Houston Street Center, 273 Bowery, at 6:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to RSVP by Monday (email “townhallrsvp@cityhall.nyc.gov” or call 212-748-0281). Questions on all subjects will be fielded by the mayor and representatives from various city agencies. The event is being held in conjunction with City Council member Margaret Chin, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez.
It was de Blasio’s administration that lifted deed restrictions on Rivington House, the former AIDS nursing home, allowing the longtime community facility to fall into the hands of luxury condo developers. The Department of Buildings recently gave the property owners permission to perform exploratory work inside the building at 45 Rivington St.
Neighbors to Save Rivington House, a local advocacy group, posted the following message on Facebook yesterday: “Please attend (the town hall!) We want Mayor de Blasio to reinstate the Stop Work Order on this building. We invite him to join Council Member Chin, State Senator Squadron, Assembly Member Niou and Manhattan Borough President Brewer to fight alongside us for the return of Rivington House.”
