Now that demolition has started, what specific actions would your office take to address the community’s concerns, including those about noise and air pollution, and short- and long-term disruption of the local community and economy?

POOI STEWART
The demolition has started due to the approval by the board members in the district, city councils, and Manhattan borough president, along with the building department. Many more vacant buildings need to be refurbished to keep the city vibrant. Noise pollution happens everywhere, especially in the summer, but less in the winter. Community members must wear masks to protect their health, especially those with asthma. The noise pollution is annoying and affects people in the community's daily lives, including myself.

CHRISTOPHER MARTE
I have worked with experts to develop an adaptive reuse of the Manhattan Detention Center as opposed to its demolition. Research shows that adaptive reuse would not only be a more environmentally safe option but will also save cost and reduce construction time. It is crucial for the Department of Design and Construction and the Department of Correction to repurpose, renovate, and convert the facility to align with the necessary standards for a Borough Based Jail. I have been working closely with other elected officials and community members to ensure the administration listens to the community and chooses the better plan.

SUSAN LEE
I was one of the ten arrested while protesting the demolition of the Chinatown jail.  I also assisted with the Adaptive Reuse Plans. We need to put monitors in place not just to measure pollution but to identify what kind of materials are in the air and if they are hazardous. I have long supported the rebuilding of Rikers Island with reform for Correction Officers and renovation of the  facilities to bring it to current standards. I propose a mental health ward for those who need services. 

URSILA JUNG
Poor relationship between our local officials and City Hall, have resulted in demolition of the detention center. Now, we must focus on mitigation. Noise restricted to 9-5 hrs. Full compliance with dust mitigation. Mobile air monitoring labs (repeatedly screen for toxins). Local residents and businesses compensated to the fullest extent (from provision of air filters to compensation for loss of revenue). 311 calls tracked for public scrutiny. “Live” point person.

HELEN QIU
The jail plan is a symbol in front of our eyes that advocacy is not enough, an effective and competent Council will provide “SOLUTIONS”, not just a march on the streets and shouting in public. There has been a lot of advocacy around the mega-jail which were used as photo-ops and staged performances. The core of the issue is that we need to keep Riker’s OPEN while execute OPERATION reform. Riker’s failed and inhumane operations need to be swiftly replaced with professional services. We need to KEEP Rikers open.

Funds have been allocated to renovate the Allen Street Mall, but NYC Parks plans to start renovations from Houston. How will your office ensure that the Chinatown segment will not be left behind again?

POOI STEWART
I ensure that the Chinatown segment will be included, although the funds have been allocated. The community boards should have proposed a plan aligned with the Parks Department. If the proposal is not discussed, it should be brought back to the community board.

CHRISTOPHER MARTE
We advocated for the renovation of Allen and Pike Street malls and are pleased to see the Parks Department commencing the work in the coming months. Given its scale and potential impact on traffic and quality of life, the project is being conducted in phases. The Parks Department intends to initiate renovations from Houston Street and proceed southward. With adequate funding in place, there is no justification for leaving any part of the malls unfinished, especially as the Southern portion is in the worst condition. We will closely monitor the progress to ensure both malls are renovated in their entirety and are excited to activate these green spaces that have so much potential.

SUSAN LEE
I am a board member of SDR Park Alliance which received a $3.3M DRI grant from the Governor's office. And through that, we have a relationship with Parks Manhattan Commissioner Perez and will continue to advocate for appropriate funding for the Chinatown segment of the Allen Street Mall. When I attend meetings with the Parks Dept. on issues related to SDR Park, I realized our community’s voice is missing from the conversation. Going forward, I will include members of Chinatown in these meetings so the Parks Dept can hear our input.

URSILA JUNG
The Allen Street Mall is a model for participatory design. We must stay true to these principles for the renovation and advocate vigorously to ensure that the entire stretch of the mall is renovated with an equity lens and money is spent fairly on every stretch. Chinatown in particular, is severely lacking in green spaces, and the mall is a small and impactful place to walk, bike and rest peacefully. The community must work with CB3 to ensure that they are constantly pushing for updates on budgets to make sure the work is completed along the entire length of the mall.

HELEN QIU
I speak fluent Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese. The Chinese in my district love me, and I love them back. I love all the people in my district and I believe they would love me back when they get to meet me and get to know me. Genuine and transparent communications will empower my constituents to watch how the funds are being allocated and being spent. My constituents are the best oversight. I will empower my constituents by being transparent. Further, I plan on having bi-weekly IN person and ON location town halls throughout my district so that I may GO TO my constituents and communicate with them, rather than only doing so on Zoom or in my office.

The Chinatown community intensely utilizes public spaces despite lack of well-maintained infrastructure such as sufficient lighting, public restrooms, and accessible electricity to power community events. Community-led efforts have activated public spaces, like the day & night markets at Forsyth Plaza, and pushed for renovations on Park Row and SDR Park. How would your office specifically support community efforts to build up infrastructure in these public spaces?

POOI STEWART
Chinatown is a vibrant market across the country. Everyone from different towns will first visit Chinatown in Lower Manhattan, especially Forsyth Plaza. I would suggest the space must have sufficient lighting, portable restrooms, and accessible electricity to power community events for the community and visitors. It is in the heart center of the beginning of Brooklyn and the end of Chinatown.

CHRISTOPHER MARTE
We plan to fund $200,000 for Forsyth Plaza to support the night market! We have already led the Borough Commissioner of Parks on a walk-through and identified immediate fixes and implementation plans for the funding that was secured for SDR Park through the Soho rezoning and the Borough President’s DRI fund. I am excited that the re-opening of Park Row is finally within reach. The Mayor’s office has announced agreements from NYPD who were previously an obstacle. I will be hosting two rounds of public engagement soon before it at last reopens, bringing much needed foot traffic back to Chinatown.

SUSAN LEE
As a board member of SDR Park Alliance, which received a $3.3M DRI Grant from Governor Hochul’s office, it is extremely important for us to build up infrastructure in public spaces throughout Chinatown because they are extensions of our homes. I will continue to work with our park and public space allies-such as Think!Chinatown, Park Row Alliance and Gotham Park to advocate for improvements in all public and park spaces in Chinatown and the entire district. I will work with the “public realm czar” to activate resources for public space.

URSILA JUNG
Chinatown is crowded and has few green areas. Public spaces like pedestrian streets are much needed. Post pandemic, the appreciation and need for such areas has only gone up. Providing discretionary funding to support infrastructure improvements to current green spaces and public venues like Forsyth Plaza and other public parks would be a focus for my office. Additionally, my office would look to community-led efforts for input on the best ways to utilize these funds to best support the expansion of green spaces by those who need them most.

HELEN QIU
I look at Chinatown not alone but together with Little Italy and Grand Street Eateries as a whole.

The community has repeatedly identified the need for more cultural gathering spaces, such as performing arts theaters, cultural centers, and affordable spaces for local nonprofits. How will your office take steps to address this ongoing and growing need?

POOI STEWART
Cultural gatherings spaces are very limited in the district. We must collaborate with the residents or the community boards or nonprofit organizations to participate actively in the community. Bringing more outdoor activities into public spaces can attract more residents to participate in making the city vibrant.

CHRISTOPHER MARTE
We are committed to provide more funding to cultural institutions in Chinatown and across the district. City-owned sites should be used for public use and public arts projects. There are several abandoned buildings in the neighborhood that, if the City were to take through eminent domain, could become cultural cornerstones in our community. I look forward to working on these projects in my next term.

SUSAN LEE
I applaud the work Think!Chinatown and others are bringing cultural events to the community. I was a strong supporter of having the performing arts theater/venue at 88 East Broadway. Unfortunately, that project was not selected during the DRI process. I will work with organizations like Think!Chinatown to find a suitable performing arts space/venue in the community. In the meantime, I will continue to promote its night markets, block parties and various events throughout Chinatown.

URSILA JUNG
Cultural gathering spaces are vital to maintaining the vibrancy of our communities. I would use my office and participatory budgeting to allow the community to submit ideas for cultural spaces they would most like to see funded. In addition, the City Council should be providing additional funding through the budget for these types of organizations and programs. These institutions keep our community thriving, engage our youth and provide another thing for our communities to be proud of.

HELEN QIU
*T!C Note: The candidate did not respond to this question.

What is your plan to protect Chinatown’s ecosystem of affordable housing, small businesses, and family-run property owners? What specific policies to address these changes would you support (or oppose), e.g. commercial rent stabilization, rent vouchers for legacy businesses, good cause eviction, congestion pricing…?

POOI STEWART
To protect Chinatown's affordable housing ecosystem, in the data statistics, we need more affordable housing in district one because of the population of working parents and older adults. What needs to be done is to get the budget from the state and city and collaborate with the community boards and developers on how to benefit the outcome of the community. Building houses are the following option as well. To protect the small business or families running a business, ever since the Covid 19, the business industry in 5 boroughs has been devastated.

CHRISTOPHER MARTE
The Chinatown Working Group Plan is the surest way to comprehensively protect Chinatown and the Lower East Side from speculation, which drives up rent, property taxes, and displacement pressures. Since taking office, I have held briefings on the plan with the City’s top leadership and all relevant agencies. Everyone acknowledges that if we don’t act, our immigrant communities will disappear forever. We have also updated the plan with a core committee of active members, recruited new organizations to join the Chinatown Working Group, and are gaining the momentum and buy-in we need to save our communities.

SUSAN LEE
I am in constant communication with small property owners, small business owners, family-run businesses and legacy businesses. They are members of the community. They live here and work here. I do not support commercial rent stabilization. Many residential units in Chinatown are rent regulated. Property owners rely on the rent of their commercial spaces to subsidize the residential units. I do not support good cause eviction which is a form of rent stabilization. I strongly oppose congestion pricing which will have a negative effect on the small businesses in our community.

URSILA JUNG
Small businesses and family-run properties are the backbone of District 1. The Chinatown community is in immediate need of capacity building and technical assistance to navigate bureaucracy, regulations and language inaccessibility. CDFI’s must be supported by state funding to bridge the gap for local business to access funding. The State budget must increase funding for AAPI services. Some form of commercial rent stabilization may also be needed.

HELEN QIU
*T!C Note: The candidate did not respond to this question.

DCAS led a visioning process for 70 Mulberry where the community identified priority needs such as creating more rentable office and cultural space for Chinatown’s nonprofits and cultural organizations, but these have not been addressed by the current design. What steps would your office take to hold DCAS accountable to address those needs in what is finally built at 70 Mulberry?

POOI STEWART
70 Mulberry, where the community is known, served as a vital and beloved space for those living in District one. The Street Advisory Committee announced $170 Million in funding to rebuild the historic landmark building in Chinatown. The advisory Committee boards should have more information to update us on why it takes so much time for our community. Our community needs more office space for non-profit organizations. We need more people in the community to involve and voice out the necessities we require.

CHRISTOPHER MARTE
DCAS is often a difficult agency to work with, and 70 Mulberry St, along with other projects under its purview, are in desperate need of greater community engagement and checks and balances. When engagement sessions are held, it’s not enough to just check a box. Feedback must be incorporated. We are eager for the community to have access to 70 Mulberry once again, and are working to ensure a wide range of groups and uses will be allowed.

SUSAN LEE
The community voice must be heard and taken into consideration. The need for a cultural space in Chinatown is undeniable. I have gone to cultural events hosted by 21 Pell, Think!Chinatown and others, where they are packed from wall to wall with patrons. Visitors come to Chinatown for our amazing food but we want to show them that it is much more than just satisfying their taste buds. We want them to see, hear and experience our amazing culture. It is through these experiences where we can learn from one another and grow.

URSILA JUNG
70 Mulberry has been an important community space and cultural hub for our downtown community for years and must continue to do so. Most important here are increasing the FAR and prioritizing allocating space to local non-profits while ensuring community input, oversight, and transparency. My office would look to bring in more community voices for input into this project and others like it while working with DCAS to ensure these concerns and ideas are being taken into account and addressed.

HELEN QIU
*T!C Note: The candidate did not respond to this question.

Chinatown has been allocated a $20 Million investment from the NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), the $50+ million in “community funds” given to MOCA, Columbus Park, and 70 Mulberry as part of the the Borough-Based Jail plan, along with the annual $1.8 Million in property assessments for the BID. How would your office ensure these funds are effectively administered and spent equitably in service of defined community needs?

POOI STEWART
In District One, with the annual $1.8 Million in property assessments for the BID, the office ensures it goes out to the individuals participating in community services who can serve our community. We need more rental space for the non-profit organization that utilizes this allocation for the individual.

CHRISTOPHER MARTE
Chinatown needs sustainable investment, not crumbs. The DRI projects lack a lot of transparency and already my office is speaking with Chinatown stakeholders who are having a difficult time actually accessing the funding. The jail-related bribes should never have been granted, as the previous Council Member should never have voted to approve a new jail in Chinatown. Community investment should not be a consolation prize for projects that will destroy our neighborhoods.

SUSAN LEE
My office will have a community liaison who will be charged with ensuring these funds are effectively administered and spent equitably as intended. I will host stakeholder meetings quarterly to assess progress made and to ensure that funds are used for their intended purposes. Transparency and accountability are paramount in making sure that our community benefits as a whole. Community engagement will be the cornerstone of how I will conduct my office.

URSILA JUNG
The City Council must work with local stakeholders (CBOs and CBs) to make sure the funds provided to our communities are spent in the best interest of residents and those who need it most. Additionally, the City Council should be providing strict oversight of these funds to ensure they are used for what they are intended. In my office, I would have a point person dedicated to these matters on a daily basis and create reports for the community for transparency of these types of projects.

HELEN QIU
*T!C Note: The candidate did not respond to this question.