Public meeting to save the Bowery

From the Historic Districts Council Newsstand:
NYC Council Member Alan J. Gerson invites you to a Stakeholders’ Meeting to consider a plan being put forward by the Bowery Alliance of Neighbors, which would create a zoning text change to protect the diversity and heritage of the east side of the Bowery.

Gerson’s office has worked together with the Bowery Alliance of Neighbors to bring together the Bowery Community–residents, building and business owners, and community groups–to determine how best to preserve the integrity of this important crossroad of New York City history. We invite you to join in this process by coming to the meeting, learning about the plan and offering your input.

We are holding this stakeholders’ meeting in advance of a meeting with the Department of City Planning, where the future of this historic area will be discussed.

Bowery Stakeholders’ Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, June 16, 2009
TIME: 6:15 p.m.
WHERE: MS 131, 100 Hester Street (at Forsyth)

Please RSVP if you are planning to attend.

Since the Department of City Planning has excluded the east side of the Bowery from the East Village/Lower East Side Rezoning, the low-rise, historic character of this district is being replaced by high-rise dormitories, boutique hotels and luxury buildings, which are out of scale with the surrounding residential community. The current overbuilding impacts the communities of Chinatown, Little Italy, the East Village and the Lower East Side. We, as a community, must come together to protect the east side of the Bowery. A big turnout will help to ensure that this issue will gain the attention needed to protect our community. We look forward to seeing you at the the meeting.

Summary of BAN’s Proposed East Bowery Preservation Plan
The Bowery Alliance of Neighbors (BAN) is proposing that the east side of the Bowery, from 9th Street to Canal Street, should be rezoned to ensure that it is in line with the rest of the community–the Special Little Italy District, the NoHo Historic District, and the East Village/Lower East Side. Since the buildings on the east side of the Bowery are comparable to those on the west side, it is logical to have the same regulations that are already in effect on the west side. This would limit the height of the buildings to 85 feet, or eight stories, and would protect buildings of special significance to prevent their demolition.

This plan will protect the current residents and businesses on the Bowery and ensure that the restaurant supply, lighting and jewelry districts will continue to be a presence in New York City.