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Dozens of protesters stood inside and out of a Community Board 3 meeting yesterday, claiming that a proposed rezoning plan was racist and could result in the displacement of minority community members. At issue is a rezoning plan that places height restrictions on new buildings going up on the Lower East Side and the East Village. Community board officials claim that the restrictions are necessary for the area to retain its innate character.
Critics claim that the rezoning specifically outlines the already-gentrified areas of the LES and East Village, while excluding the less affluent and more ethnically diverse areas like Chinatown. Zoning off the proposed area will supposedly push the development of high-rises and displace residents into the excluded communities.
CB3 Chairman David McWater said that since Chinatown extends beyond the borders of his community board's jurisdiction, it's really out of his hands as to how to protect that neighborhood. Plus, since the environmental review procedure for the rezoning is already underway, it's unlikely that any changes could be made to the boundaries at this time.
Map of Community Board 3 with rough overlay of proposed rezoning area
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I don't think think Chinatown needs rezoning plan. Sure, it'll give them a sense of security but Chinatown is a different neighborhoood. I don't think it'll ever be "gentrified" in the normal sense. Chinatown is already owned by rich asian businessmen.
Technically, it's already gentrified. It's just that the Chinese have a culture that doesn't involve Starbucks. The area isn't exactly cheap. Rent can easily go for $3000/month.
they'll get priced-out & displaced just like harlem residents. it's only a matter of time.
I can't wait for the economy to hit the shitter so all this whining dies down.
Oh and half you fucking people will go back to wherever you came from and I can be there to witness the next great American cultural contributions New York has lurking under the surface in real time...while dodging bullets, of course..and getting stabbed occasionally.
chinatown proper won't get gentrified, they'll always find people to live there.
there's always been banks there, only recently did it get a duane reade.
no whitey would live there at those expensive rents. the priced out and displaced area are Ludlow, Orchard, Little Chitaly. Soon it may be the Lower Allen street/Pike Slip area.
...
Ph: Um, Okkkkk...
NYC municipality to the chinese "Me so sowwy Chinaman, gentrification for you". What these guys realize is that those chinese people is crazy! They will pay those exorbitant rates for tiny apartments cause more than 2 people live in an apartment. I bet if you looked inside a chinatown apartment you'd find 3 families with ten people cramped in a 800 square feet apartment. Each one paying rent just so they could live near chinese speaking people. talk about insular.
If it weren't for LES gentrification, Chinatown would have conquered the whole of lower Manhattan. Every time I go down there, Chinatown seems to be growing. Little Italy is almost wiped out, so I don't mind other neighborhoods being "protected" by zoning laws.
And when it comes to gentrification, I'll take Starbucks over blowing-snot-on-the-street any day of the week. And it's inevitable that eventually the whole of Manhattan will be posh and us working class and ethnic folks will flee to the outer boroughs.
JacqueMehoff: as a resident of lower Allen Street, let me just say that your predictions are correct (and therefore I'm getting the hell out of here when my lease expires).
babyhitler: there are only a few chinese residents left in my building, but the super told me they are only paying $150/month for their rent. However, you can bet that the landlord is dying to get them out so that she can renovate their apartments and jack the rent up to $1800 or more.
scottperezfox: yep, the whole snot-blowing thing. Not to mention the loogie-hocking, and the shoving on/off the subway. Just a couple of reasons I'll be glad to move out of the area.
In any case, Chinatown is a shithole. Personally, I think that any new construction could only be an improvement.
Shithole? Spit and snot aside, Chinatown is one of the best & most unique neighborhoods in the country. It deserves the same considerations as the LES and the East Village.
Chinatown has already had its share of new construction over the last couple of decades, although not many high-rises after Confucius Tower other than the buildings in the Civic Center. Mott, Mulberry and Canal are still recognizable, but other streets have gotten shiny new buildings.
As for the people whining about expensive, tiny apartments in Chinatown, they've probably never been in more than one down there. There are some gorgeously renovated ones if you know where to look. Go ahead. Stay away. That's exactly what the Chinese want you to do. I'm sure they won't miss the hipsters and Wall Streeters who jack up rent any more than the Gothamist commenters do.
I agree with Ph...but only when it comes to fucking rude ass Chinese people.
Note: no one likes it when you yap on your cell phone at 105dB, smell like you just came from the sewers, or leave crumbs all over the subway floor when you eat that custard bread. Don't forget your incredible lack of manners in crowded areas...let's play a game of football on the train for subway seats!
KinoSport: I'm not sure you are using the word "best" correctly.
nivek: im sure that all those irish, italian and east european immigrants from the turn of the century were the very epitome of class and culture. sure, noone stunk like potatoes, garlic or cabbage back then.