Neighbors Are Concerned about Health of Richie Chang, the ‘Mayor’ of Ludlow Street
Photo: Adrian Wilson
Richie Chang, the so-called mayor of Ludlow Street, was admitted to the hospital last week, several concerned residents tell us. His condition is not immediately clear, but we are told that his health has been failing recently.
At 68, Chang has lived his entire life on the block of Ludlow Street between Rivington and Stanton. (He has a younger brother named David.) You’ve seen him, a staunch supporter of police and fire department, and always wearing a Ladder 18 (Fort Pitt) cap and vest. For years, his daily routine included cleaning up trash around 151-153 Ludlow and 101 Stanton Street (where he grew up), and feeding the feral cats in the rear yard of 151 Ludlow. Apparently, that all changed last month when landlord Arwen Properties/Luthien Group sold the three buildings for a total of $28 million. Immediately thereafter, we hear that Chang was allegedly told that if he was seen feeding cats in the yard again, he’d be arrested for trespassing.
We also spoke to local documentarian Clayton Patterson, who noted that Chang has been experiencing “serious” health problems. Mainly with his back and knees, and trouble breathing. Patterson further explained that experimental filmmaker Coleen Fitzgibbon has been a “life saver in helping Richie … helping him in so many ways. It is fair to say he would have lost his apartment years ago had not Coleen helped.”
We hope to see the mayor back on the street soon…
Photo: Adrian Wilson
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