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Velazquez Calls for Meeting on Reopening Park Row

October 12, 2016

Velázquez Calls for Meeting on Reopening Park Row

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) wrote today to Mayor Bill de Blasio requesting a meeting to discuss the continued closure of Park Row. Park Row at Chatham Square has been closed to traffic since 9/11, a situation that has isolated Chinatown and caused economic hardship for local businesses.

“The time for action on this issue is far overdue,” Velázquez said. “The Mayor needs to hear from the local community about how keeping this street closed has impacted businesses and residents. It’s my hope he will agree to this meeting so we can impress on him the importance of resolving this problem swiftly.”

The full text of Velázquez’s letter is below.


October 12th, 2016

Mayor Bill de Blasio
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Dear Mayor de Blasio:

As the representative of New York’s 7th Congressional District, I write to request a meeting to discuss the continued closure of Park Row. For many years the local community has been vocal about the significant hardships incurred as a result of this closure. For this reason, I ask that you meet with myself and key members of the Chinatown community to discuss how we can reclaim critical portions of Chinatown.

As you know, ever since the attacks of September 11th, Park Row at Chatham Square has been closed to traffic for security reasons; this has isolated Chinatown from Lower Manhattan and crippled the local economy. Park Row is a vital thoroughfare for residents in my district, connecting two neighborhoods, Chinatown and the Financial District. Without that straightforward grid into Manhattan, tourism is impacted, as is the flows of revenue to local entrepreneurs. Traffic patterns are also altered, resulting in greater congestion. Residents of Chatham Green must provide identification each time they come home which is burdensome and presents challenges for deliveries and guests. As you may recall, this closure was intended to be temporary, and while many of the streets that were closed after 9/11 have since reopened, this key roadway remains an unfortunate exception – one that has drastically altered the way of life for the community for the worse.

For more than a decade members of the community, including myself, have continuously raised the issue of the Park Row closure with the city administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the New York City Police Department. The time for a face-to-face, frank discussion with the key stakeholders is long overdue. I hope you will find time in your schedule to meet and address this important issue.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and I look forwarding to working with you to help the Chinatown community resolve the Park Row issue once and for all. My staff will be in touch with your office to inquire about scheduling. In the meantime, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (202) 225-2361.

Sincerely,

Nydia M. Velazquez

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