Chinatown & Little Italy are on the Brink: We Need a Comprehensive Plan and Not Mere Soundbites

The pandemic and political realities before the pandemic have placed Chinatown and the neighboring Little Italy on the brink.

This candidate for New York City Council for the First District believes that a comprehensive Community Development plan needs to be in the works and this plan should not be a plan that scares out developers. The reality is new housing and commercial space, in the end, shall benefit the area by bringing in more money to these neighborhoods' restaurants, retail, galleries and nightlife establishments. Without a vibrant Chinatown we have a major loss to our great City. I go nearly every Sunday to Chinatown to buy vegetables, fish and to have a meal at my favorite dimsum restaurant - Jing Fong on Elizabeth Street. Sadly, this restaurant closed because of the pandemic. We can not lose more. Neighboring Little Italy is in the same crisis as is Chinatown and we have similar issues in the Financial District, Tribeca and in other parts of our district.

A Community Development Master Plan must include:

1. The Building of the Chinatown Cultural Center.

2. Expansion of the Open Street Program to Mott Street.

3. Job, Skill & Mentorship Program for newcomers to NYC and the unemployed.

4. Inclusion of Chinatown and Little Italy in the "zero-interest" loan program (excluded, presently, because of zip code being same as wealthier SOHO & Tribecca).

5. A Chinatown Tourism Campaign managed by a professional marketing agency.

6. Increase Vaccination Education and distribution targeted towards Chinatown and the Lower East Side.

7. Reopening of all schools for five days per week.

8. More efficient and less wasteful utilization of public funds, thus, decreasing the cost in taxes to businesses.

9. Small Business Education Program tailored to the community.

10. Study & Implementation of a comprehensive Community Master Plan with the assistance of the community.

Sean Hayes

(Candidate for New York City Council, District 1)

Pragmatic Solutions to the Problems Facing New York.

Sean's Experience

• Professor of Law/Dean of a UN University

• Lead an International Law Firm's Office in Korea & China

• CEO of a Foreign Branch of a Conglomerate

• Company Director

• Columnist/Ombudsman

• Court Research Officer

• US Capital Hill Staffer

• Consultant for Legislatures

• Consultant to Court Judges

• Lead Top Dispute Resolution Law Firm of Year. Rated a Top 100 Lawyer.

Sean Hayes

(Candidate for New York City Council in District 1)

Pragmatic Solutions through Experienced Leadership

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