Lower East Siders: Create Your Ideal Ludlow and Canal Streets

LOWER EAST SIDE, NY — If you've ever seen the Lower East Side's "Hell Square" on a Sunday morning, you know that the neighborhood has a clean-up problem. The Lower East Side Partnership is considering expanding its boundaries to clean up after more of the "Hell Square" blocks, and to make other improvements to the community, Partnership President Tim Laughlin said at Wednesday night's Community Board 3 meeting, the Lo-Down reported.

But before expanding its boundaries, the Partnership wants to hear from as many members of the community as possible. They're holding two events in the next two weeks for people to envision their ideal streets, as part of a movement called "Make Our Street."

On Thursday, Sept. 15, the Partnership is closing off a section of Canal Street between Essex and Ludlow streets from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for people to come and create their perfect Canal. People will be able to make suggestions on bike lanes, street layout, parking, loading areas and anything else they believe would affect their quality of life.

Then on Sept. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Partnership will similarly discuss Ludlow at the Tenement Museum using 3D models of the street. RSVP for the Ludlow event here.

Before attending the discussion events, locals can also fill out an online survey of what they'd like to change on Ludlow and Canal. The Partnership is also calling for locals to use Streetmix, an online program, to create their ideal streets and share them on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo courtesy of Streetmix