Located just ten blocks from Ground Zero, Chinatown is the largest residential area affected by 9/11. In the wake of the attacks, routine life in Chinatown halted, with all non-essential traffic prohibited and telephones out of order. Since that time, life near Ground Zero has continued to evolve in tandem with World Trade Center development. In this event, held on Tuesday, March 27 at Mariners’ Temple Baptist Church, the public was invited to join their neighbors to share their personal perspectives on China-town’s development. Did the events of 9/11 change the direction of this neighbor-hood forever? Have some things improved? What has been neglected? Is there a unified vision of Chinatown that we can all set our sights on and work toward?
There were approximately 40 people who attended the event (see list of notable attendees below). Discussions were translated when helpful into Spanish, Cantonese and Mandarin.
The program began with a welcome from Rev. Henrietta Carter or Mariners’ Temple, followed by opening remarks by Annie Rawlings, of ICNY. An overview of Post-9/11 Chinatown was given by Wendy Cheung, of the Beyond Ground Zero Network, outlining the issues of health, economic development, gentrification, and immigrant displacement. Of particular note was the city’s economic stimulus efforts in the wake of 9/11, that unintentionally created a divide through the Lower East Side, of businesses which received stimulus and those that did not.
After the opening statements, the audience then broke up into small discussion groups to identify personal concerns.
When the audience reconvened, each group reported on the issues they felt were of greatest concern (listed in order of the most commonly reported):
Housing
Health
Displacement
Rents
Business Development
Transportation
Parking
Community Self-Direction
Of particular concern was the closing of Park Row, and the placement of police barricades that have stayed up (and made permanent) since 9/11. Also of concern was the closing of the post office and the burden this places on local people, especially the elderly. Another issue is the re-routing and unreliability of the M-22 and M9 buses. Also commonly mentioned was a sense of depression or spiritual malaise, often attributed to a “war zone” atmosphere and increasing sense of futility regarding the community’s future.
Panel Responses:
Bethany Li, AALDEF
Ms. Li addressed housing and land use concerns on the Lower East Side, specifically focusing upon what she called the “decimation of the garment industry” and the gentrification and displacement of immigrants and lower-income residents as a result of real estate development in the area, citing the conversion of a factory on Hester Street into luxury condominium units selling for $3 million per unit. She also described the city’s rezoning approach as aggressive, including large-scale evictions of immigrants from rent stabilized and rent controlled apartments, with the city simultaneously employing terms like “inclusionary” and “affordable” housing in a way that can mislead the public.
Jan Lee, Hamilton-Madison House
Mr. Lee informed the audience of the many services offered by Hamilton-Madison House, including child and healthcare (including mental health) services, encouraging people to take advantage of these free or low-cost services that are available “in our own back yard.” He went on to talk about the security measures that were put into place immediately after 9/11 that are still present in the community, such as the closure of Park Row (describing that particular closing as “cutting off an artery of traffic that has suffocated the community”), contributing to a “police state” atmosphere in the neighborhood that is causing an increasing “spiritual malaise” among residents. He encouraged people to make use of 311 to complain about these issues, and spoke from his own experience in stating that high volume complaints to the city via 311 do receive attention. He said that the Lower East Side community can draw strength from its diversity when interacting with the government.
Yolanda Donato, National Mobilization Against Sweatshops
Ms. Donato, a 43-year resident of the Lower East Side, spoke in Spanish with an interpreter, about the People First campaign, outlining its various demands, including limits to the development of luxury high rises in the neighborhood, an increase in affordable housing, protection for small businesses, the cessation of the practice of transferring lower income tenants out of the community, etc. She expressed particular concern with a proposed conversion of vacant lots on Delancy Street, which are currently zoned as public, into high rises and a luxury hotel, which would not be designated for public use. She informed the audience of a public Community Board meeting that will address this issue on April 18 at University Settlement.
Wendy Cheung, Beyond Ground Zero Network
In addition to Ms. Cheung’s overview given earlier (see above), she emphatically encouraged the diverse communities of the Lower East Side to see past their differences and recognize the common problems that are plaguing the community, and join together to address the issues and better the neighborhood for all concerned.
Notable Attendees:
Mitchell Bass, Program Manager, Ready New York, NYCOEM
Jan Lee, Exec. VP Board of Directors, Hamilton-Madison House
Bethany Li, Staff Attorney, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Wendy Cheung, Beyond Ground Zero Network
Thea Goodman, Hamilton –Madison House
Yolanda Donato, National Mobilization Against Sweatshops
Rev. Dr. Henrietta Carter, Mariners’ Temple Baptist Church
Cynthia Gardner-Brim, Mariners’ Temple Baptist Church
After the event, Mitchell Bass of the NYCOEM spoke with both Annie and Kevin about OEM’s interest in partnering with ICNY to work with faith communities on emergency preparedness issues. We gave him our contact information and he said his office would be in touch with us.
*Made possible by a grant from
Photo credits: Linda Jacob
Many thanks for Mr. Teddy of Everest Diner, 22 Chatham Square, for donating the wonderful sandwiches!
