The new building, part of the Essex Crossing mega-project, and the MTA station improvements are almost a decade behind schedule. In the spring of 2025, city and state officials and the development team announced they finally had a deal. But details at the time were sparse. On July 15, some of the speccifics were filled in during an informational presentation at Community Board 3’s land use committee.

Charlie Parente, representing Essex Crossing co-developer BFC Partners, provided an overview of the project. The 10-story building will include 99 rental apartments and 15,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space. He said 26 apartments would be considered affordable to low- and middle-income households. The building was designed by S9 Architecture.

During construction, the development team will create an expanded easement for the MTA. The transit authority will then be responsible for installing elevators and an enlarged escalator leading to and from the subway station. The developers plan to hand the space over to the MTA by the end of 2027. Parenete could not say how long the accessibility project would take once the handoff occurs, but he indicated the building itself is expected to open in the fall of 2029.

The MTA stated last year that it would be, “commencing design… (of) a comprehensive set of accessibility upgrades needed to make the (Delancey Street) station complex fully ADA-accessible. This will include three elevators to ensure that all connections and transfers within the station can be made step-free.” The station improvements are receiving funding from the Congestion Relief Zone.

Community Board 3’s district manager, Susan Stetzer, asked Parente if the current escalator would remain in operation during construction. He replied that the MTA wants to keep it running for as long as possible, but that safety considerations and city regulations would both be factors. Parente explained, “To the extent it can be open and it can be run in a safe manner, we will do so. But it kind of depends on construction activities and where we land with that.”

As for the housing plan at 100 Essex Street, Parente said there would be a mixture of studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units. The below-market-rate units will be permanently affordable. The Essex Crossing team is participating in a program created in 2025, Universal Affordability Preference, which permits 20% more housing than ordinarily would be allowed under New York City’s zoning code if the developer agrees to permanent affordability. The affordable apartments will be available to applicants with annual household incomes between 37% and 130% of Area Median Income (AMI).

At the Community Board meeting, there were questions about the amenity fee that will be charged to all tenants. It will be the same for all residents, those in market rate units and affordable units alike. Land Use Committee Chair Damaris Reyes asked Parente to take the issue back to the development team and to consider a sliding scale for amenities.

The developers envision four commercial spaces along Delancey and Essex streets. Reyes asked whether the developers are seeking a single retail tenant. Parente indicated that the spaces are not contiguous, so they will be looking for multiple commercial tenants. They’re targeting “experiential retail” and “food and beverage.” Reyes responded, “There are a lot of restaurants in the area. We have the movie theater, immersive gaming, and less and less smaller shops selling things that the community needs.”

Overall, the Essex Crossing project includes over a thousand apartments, half of which are designated affordable for low- and middle-income households. 100 Essex Street was originally supposed to have been completed in 2018. Demolition and new building permits were filed with the city earlier this year. The development team is hoping to take control of the former Essex Street Market building within the next few weeks, beginning demolition and construction in the fall.

The project at 145 Broome St. was undertaken by the Grand Street Guild and Catholic Homes of New York. It will include 190 studio and one-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors. Back in the 1970s, Grand Street Guild (a non-profit established by the New York Archdiocese) built three 26-story towers on parcels around St. Mary’s. More recently, the organization developed 165 Broome St., an affordable housing complex a block to the east of the current construction site.

In a press release put out by the city a year ago, completion of the project was envisioned by the beginning of 2028. Signage on the construction fencing, however, anticipates a fall of 2027 completion timeframe.

The project is part of the City of New York’s Senior Affordable Rental Apartments (SARA) program. The development team says 30% of the apartments will be available for formerly homeless seniors age 55 and older. The total development budget was expected to be $176 million. On-site social services will be provided by Catholic Charities Community Services.

This past spring, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission designated St. Mary’s Church as an individual landmark. But the designation did not include an adjoining parcel where the church’s vacant rectory building and a parking lot are located. So it’s possible more development around the church could come to fruition sometime in the future.

This iteration reimagines the Forest of Arden as the Lower East Side– “a haven where artists, outsiders and free spirits seek refuge from an increasingly authoritarian world. Shakespeare’s tale of exile, resistance, community and renewal feels remarkably contemporary, while the play’s exuberant romance and humor remain delightfully intact. Expect political intrigue, a spectacular wrestling match, and a fresh interpretation of Phoebe and Silvius as older lovers, reminding us that the joys, confusions and absurdities of love belong to every age.”

The team notes that many audience favorites return from last season’s acclaimed production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” including Andy Rowell (Touchstone), Lia Bonfilio (Rosalind), Thammie Laine Guac (Celia), Patrick Hart (Orlando), Emanuel Elpenord (Oliver), Bob Arcaro (Adam), Chris Martel (Duke Senior/Duke Frederick), Carly Grissom (Denise/Audrey), Raphael del Rio (Charles), David Marantz (Jaques), Elowyn Castle (Corinne), Adama Joy Sall (Amiens), Lizabeth Allen (Phoebe) and Dan Teachout (Silvius). Production design and Direction is by Hamilton Clancy, with Alessandro Colla serving as Assistant Director.

The production also features original music by Adama Joy Sall and Thammie Laine Guac, along with songs by Natalie Smith and Andrew Gombas that originated in earlier Shakespeare in the Parking Lot productions.

Admission is free and donations are encouraged. Chairs are provided on a first come first serve basis and audience members are invited to bring their own.

The show runs through August 1, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:00 PM, in the parking lot next to Lower East Side Prep.

Woo’s grandmother came over to New York from Shanghai and Berg’s grandfather came from Eastern Europe, stopping here in the Lower East Side for a few years, before moving to Philadelphia.

The two friends met as neighbors living near an unofficial border between the Lower East Side and Manhattan’s Chinatown. Woo was a creative project developer working for Adobe who took some time off to go to culinary school and Berg was a TV producer who grew up cooking.

On a night out with their partners, they happened to be joking about where Chinese food and Jewish food ingredients overlap, and how their immigrant heritages were passed down from their grandmothers in very similar ways.

The jokes led to brainstorming how they could easily merge their favorite family dishes into new Jewish-Chinese inspired meals. A good brisket is good on its own, for example, but how about brisket in wontons with chili oil?

Before they knew it, they were in Andy’s kitchen testing out a Reuben egg roll and a sesame noodle kugel. They kept testing dishes and riffs on their favorites, emphasizing their cultural stories and intergenerational connections, which led to formal invitations to friends and family to try out full menus.

Once they realized they were on to something that was a lot of fun and offered them both a creative challenge, they decided to give it a go. Their “hidden table series” is now available to the public, at various locations around the neighborhood, with 12-15 seats, 7 courses and wine.

The meals are deliberately playful and hybrid — each dish combines elements from both cuisines and tells a story of adaptation.

The menu at their most recent dinner included: Rosh Hashana Chicken Wontons garnished with tart cherry and crumbled fried chicken skin, Dan Dan Kugel garnished with peanuts and scallions, the now-famous Reuben egg roll with Russian dressing, Manischewitz glazed ribs, Judah’s Lion Head Matza Meatballs served with bok choy, and for dessert, an Ube Rice Pudding with whipped cream and matcha.

But the menu rotates, so returning guests get a new experience each time.

If you’re lucky enough to make it to one of their pop-ups, you’ll find by the end of the meal, a lot of cultural heritage has been shared, new friends have been made, and tasty new dishes have been devoured.

You can follow WooBerg’s on Instagram here and sign up at the link in their bio to get on their email list for updates on upcoming events.

Here’s more about the menu from the team at Little Pine:

“The menu spans classic Dongbei and Northern Chinese staples, beginning with cold starters such as Rainbow Glass Noodle Salad and Tiger Herb Salad, followed by BBQ skewers, a centerpiece of the menu, grilled with the restaurant’s signature chili seasoning and bringing the flavors of Chinese night markets to the table through lamb, beef, chicken wings, seafood, and vegetable skewers. Northern comfort dishes anchor the heart of the menu, including handmade dumplings, Pan-fried Corn Cake, and Candied Sweet Potato, while one standout is Dongbei Crispy Sweet & Sour Pork, also known as Guo Bao Rou, one of the region’s most iconic dishes, made with thin slices of pork that are lightly battered, fried until crisp, and coated in a glossy sweet-and-sour glaze known for its bright vinegar aroma, delicate crunch, and balanced tangy sweetness.“

It’s a large restaurant by Lower East Side standards. The space goes all the way through between Division Street and East Broadway, with entrances on both sides. Little Pine is open from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM every day. You can see the menu here.

On Thursday evening (June 25) from 6-8 PM, they’re hosting an art opening in collaboration with FLOHAUS Gallery to celebrate Pride Month. It’s a group exhibition titled, “The Warmth In Between.” More details on Little Pine’s Instagram.

Photos courtesy of Little Pine.

The former New York City Comptroller, Brad Lander, easily defeated sitting U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman in the battle for the 10th Congressional District, which includes the Lower East Side. According to unofficial results (with more than 97% of the vote counted), Lander had 65.8% to 34% for Goldman.

Lander appeared at a get-out-the-vote event with Mamdani Tuesday on Pitt Street. Also at the Mayor’s side was Lower East Side tenant organizer Illapa Sairitupac, who prevailed last night in the primary election for the 65th Assembly District. Mamdani endorsed Sairitupac just last month. In preliminary results, he had 36%, or 4,140 votes in a crowded seven candidate field. His closest competitor was LES community organizer Jasmin Sanchez, coming in with 1,993 votes.

Sairitupac is a socialist who ran on a platform of taxing the rich to pay for essential services, creating a Social Housing Development Authority and enacting legislation to prohibit local law enforcement agencies from collaborating with ICE in New York City. NYC Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) celebrated Sairitupac’s win, writing on Instagram, “Socialism wins in the Lower East Side! We’re sending another ecosocialist and tenants’ champion to Albany to fight for the affordable, beautiful future that workers deserve. Illapa’s victory proves socialism still has a home downtown.”

The legislative seat opened up when Assemblymember Grace Lee decided to run to succeed Senator Brian Kavanagh, who chose not to seek another term. Lee was victorious last night in the battle for the 27th Senatorial District. She had 62% of the vote compared with 37% for Yuh-Line Niou. Niou had previously served as assemblymember in Lower Manhattan.

The General Election takes place November 3.

In his Instagram post (since deleted), Derek wrote,”the restaurant had been sold and is under new ownership.” After The Lo-Down posted about Derek’s announcement, we heard from the team at Wu’s Wonton King, who emphasized, “the restaurant has not been sold and is not under new ownership.” We have now heard directly from both Derek Wu and representatives from Wu’s Wonton King, who clarified what has and has not happened at the Lower East Side/Chinatown restaurant. For this reason our original story has been replaced with this new version.

For his part, Derek acknowledged that Michael Wu (no family relation) is and has always been owner of Wu’s Wonton King. Derek explained to us that he sold his interest in the restaurant. In an email from Michael Wu (also known as Yongzan Wu) and Wing Wu, they stated that Derek sold, “a small minority share – not the restaurant.” They also wanted to highlight that the, “core kitchen team is unchanged — the same chefs for our dim sum and Cantonese roast meats… and “the food and quality our guests know remain exactly as before.” The team at Wu’s shared a portion of their lease, and stated that it was signed by Yongzan Wu (Michael’s legal name), president of the corporation that owns the restaurant. They indicated that the lease runs through 2027.

In our original story, we noted that the Instagram account (@wuswontonking) appeared to have been created just last month. After Derek’s departure, Michael Wu explained, “the existing content was removed and the handle was renamed, which is why the restaurant had to reclaim its name and set up a new official account.” In the past several days, Wu’s has been actively posting content.

Meanwhile, Derek Wu’s social media can be found at @wusdynasty. In part of that deleted post, he wrote, “I want to thank each and every one of you for your support, loyalty, and friendship over the past ten years. Whether you visited us once a week or once a year, you became part of our story. The memories we created together, the conversations we shared, and the trust you placed in me and my team mean more than words can express.”

Long before he ever ran for office, Alex learned what it means to stand up for people—and don’t just take his word for it; he’s endorsed by the teachers unions and a majority of labor groups across the city. Next Tuesday, vote for Alex Bores: early voting is June 13th through June 21st, and election day is June 23rd.

Learn more at: https://www.alexbores.nyc/

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I recently talked with the founders, Tra Nguyen and Jon Wang, about their new endeavor and how Slo Slo Studio came to be in the neighborhood.

The duo has been living in Brooklyn for the past decade, and Jon had been working at a ceramic studio, before they decided to open Slo Slo. Jon is familiar with the neighborhood because he used to live on Eldridge Street, when he was a line cook for a few different local restaurants (including Thing Tu on Orchard Street and Golden Diner — pre-pandemic).

Tra works in the nonprofit sector, developing community-centered arts programs and spaces, so they saw an opportunity to combine their skills when it came to creating their first business together.

They were excited to have found the space (formerly Vida sign printing shop) through a listing shared by the non-profit organization Welcome to Chinatown. “The landlord was looking for a tenant from the neighborhood that they could connect with,” Jon said.

“We were always playing around with the idea of trying to open a cafe or something,” he added, “but then I just got really into ceramics. And it just seemed like something I could really wrap my head around — in terms of something for the neighborhood.”

“We were looking for something in Bed-Stuy originally,” Tra said. “But then we expanded our scope and [were looking] to have a place for Asian-Americans, and for people of color, to be a part of. And we really wanted to be some of those people who could open a studio and be able to host the community.”

“Jon was working at a studio in Bed-Stuy and we just felt like there was a need for more diversity. More representation for a lot of different artists and friends that we are connected with,” she said.

“Ceramics has a really rich history amongst Asian cultures. It’s nice to be able to celebrate that a little bit,” Jon added.

The memberships are generally for people who have worked with ceramics before and are more self-directed. Memers have full-time access to the studio, along with storage space for their creations and the studio will fire their work for them.

Beginner drop-in classes are offered once a week and are often taught by Jon. He said they are perfect for newcomers who might not have even touched clay before. “It’s just an opportunity for them to come in and get their hands dirty and try it out.”

More in-depth classes are 6 – 8 weeks, once a week, and allow participants to learn the full process.

Slo Slo also offers one-off workshops, focused on different themes, and they have a community market coming up in mid-June, which will include some vendors – set up on the sidewalk, featuring work from artists and jewelry designers – along with snacks.

As for the process of working with the clay, it’s not something that cannot be rushed, (hence the name) which only adds to the good vibes in studio.

You can learn more about what’s happening at Slo Slo here.

Known as the Lower East Side’s largest Puerto Rican-heritage and Latinx neighborhood block party, the festival features live performances, food, activities for the whole family and presentations from many local organizations. This year’s theme, “Our AmeRícan Thing,” honors the legacy of poet Jesús “Tato” Laviera and promises a diverse lineup of music, theater, and community activations. Find performance schedules, hosts, street activities and more here.