Chinatown Working Group Endorses “East Bowery Preservation Plan”
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Credit: MBFC
The years-in-the-making proposal to protect the east side of Bowery from rampant over-development gained some much-needed momentum last week. David Mulkins of the Bowery Alliance of Neighbors (BAN) passed along word that the Chinatown Working Group is in favor the “East Bowery Preservation Plan,” having already sent a strong letter of endorsement to the Department of City Planning.
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135 Bowery, circa 2011
Unfortunately the east side of Bowery doesn’t enjoy the same protections of its neighbors across the street in the Special Little Italy District (and NoHo Historic District). That particular zoning designation, bounded by Bowery on the east, limits building heights to eight stories, essentially keeping all newer projects in check. That explains the rash of towers constructed within the last few years – Standard East Village, Bowery Hotel, Sperone Westwater, New Museum, Wyndham Garden Chinatown, and the forthcoming CitizenM hotel.
The Chinatown Working Group is a community-based planning initiative focusing on the future of Chinatown. Its ranks are populated by members of Community Boards 1, 2, 3, among others.
Below is the letter:
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