Indecision about Developments in the Lower East Side
HOST: Student Journalist Brianna Levy visited Pier 35 on October 16th to attend a protest against new developments in the Lower East Side. The “Two Bridges Towers” would be developing in the Two Bridges, New York City, the area on the southernmost part of the Lower East side.
TRACK: On Saturday, October 16th, I attended the Two Bridge protest on Pier 35, the southernmost part of Chinatown and the Lower East Side, right on the water.
AMBI: (Crowd cheering)
TRACK: The protest was hosted by CAAAV, GOLES, and TUFF-LES. The Lower East Side is an incredibly diverse area, with Asians, blacks, and Latinos dispersed throughout the region. Many are immigrants who speak another language. For this reason, the organizers of the protest had 3 announcers and fliers with 3 languages: English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
TRACK: Spanish announcer: (Spanish announcer speaking passionately about what he wants for the neighborhood)
TRACK: In the previous audio, the Spanish announcer lists what he wants for the Two Bridges Community. “Yo quiero, yo quiero, yo quiero.” I want, I want, I want. While some may associate this part of the Lower East Side with Asians and Asian-Americans alone, all three demographic groups exist here and are susceptible to the harmful effects of gentrification.
ACT: English announcer: They are trying to displace our families and suck the life out of our communities. We must fight to stop them.
TRACK: Everyone at the protest was against “The Towers,” a luxury development approved by the City Planning Commission in 2018. It has faced a number of lawsuits since then. If the developers succeed, 3 luxury buildings will be built in the Two Bridges community—which will likely lead to higher prices, dislocation, and gentrification in a region already facing pressure from its wealthier neighbors.
ACT: Crowd and English announcer: Boo!…Are these towers for us? No! No!
TRACK: But certain voices and opposing opinions aren’t being highlighted in the conversation. NYCHA rent increases need to be approved “not less than 60 days prior to the effective date of the lease agreement,” according to Section 8 Owners Frequently Asked Questions. This complicates their say, but doesn’t remove it. When looking at all voices, opinions can go from this:
AMBI: (Crowd booing)
TRACK: To this
ACT: Xin Yi Liu: I think a lot of us younger people find it really cool to have a new place to hang out.
TRACK: I met with a NYCHA resident and Baruch student in the Two Bridges Community. She lives with her grandparents, father, and younger brother.
ACT: Xin Yi Liu: My name is Xin Yi Liu, and I am a student at Baruch College. I have lived here for about a decade, since around 2012.
TRACK: Liu has noticed other examples of gentrification in Two Bridges, but she’s not bothered by it.
ACT: Xin Yi Liu: I have noticed some gentrification during that time. For example, on Delancey street, there’s a new mall…but also a new cinema, and that wasn’t there before.
TRACK: She’s not worried about rent increases either, although NYCHA sees its fair share of them.
ACT: Xin Yi Liu: I don’t think we will be displaced…I mean we might, or rent might raise a bit, but, I don’t think we’ll be very much affected.
TRACK: Back at the protest, City Council Nominee Chris Marte showed up and faced questions from the English announcer, but things went left as the organizations and crowd were not pleased with his answers.
ACT: English announcer: Will you fight for the Two Bridges Community with us?
ACT: Chris: I will fight with you, but we have to make sure, we can’t pit these communities together
AMBI: (Crowd booing)
ACT: English announcer: Chris, thank you for your time coming here today. This is a year or no question. Will you fight for the Two Bridges community plan?
ACT: Crowd member: Whose side are you on?
ACT: Another crowd member: We can’t wait!
TRACK: The protesters found these answers vague and unsatisfying, wanting something more straightforward.
ACT: I’m on the side of the community, I’ve been fighting against these towers for years.
TRACK: A protester yells a simple 3 word question at the councilman: “yes or no?” Marte does not answer with either. It seems that the Lower East Side, from its civilians to the office holders, can’t come to an agreement. This is Brianna Levy for Baruch College.