Representatives of Chinatown residents' organizations spoke at a meeting of Community Board No. 3's Parks Committee yesterday to oppose a new plan that would build a "Basketball City" on Pier 36.
Several local groups, including the Chinatown Tenants Union's Committee to Protect Chinatown and Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES) gave voice to the community's opposition to the City-sponsored construction plan. The meeting was also the first time supporters of the plan aired their opinions, and the debate between the two parties was calm and good-natured.
The Community Board has not yet announced its position on the issue. Representatives of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) were also present at the hearing.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Wang Xinling of the Committee to Protect Chinatown, condemned the City's plan, saying that to develop the waterfront into an entertainment venue would shut out low-income residents, who could not afford to use it and could not enjoy its benefits.
An alternative plan, outlined by O.U.R. Waterfront Coalition, would construct a community center instead of a high-end commercial development. This facility would provide space for local nonprofits, as well as offer classes, work training, and translation services. Most importantly, this plan would cost the City only $52,031,369, much less than the $13.8 billion required by the EDC's plan.
Bruce Radler, a representative for the Basketball City plan, attended the meeting but did not speak. However, yesterday's hearing was the first time a large of number of supporters of the plan made their voices heard. One resident said that though the Lower East Side is predominantly a community of semi-retired immigrants, many young people live there too. These young people often try to organize basketballs games, but they often have to cancel them because of lack of space, he said.
Another resident noted that all the basketball courts in the Lower East Side's schools and parks are outdoors and cannot be used during winter, which is unfair for the neighborhood's basketball lovers.
