🌱 Seward Park Houses Mural Project + SoHo/NoHo Rezoning Approved

Happy Friday neighbors! I am your host, Patrick Murray, brining you the top 3 stories as we head into the weekend.

First, today's weather:

Partly cloudy and mild with a high of 59 and a low of 40.

Here are the top stories in Lower East Side-Chinatown today:

1. The walls of the youth center at the Lower East Side's Seward Park Houses have become eyesores in recent months, leaving community centers wanting to make a difference. Site director Laura Li decided to take matters into her own hands and begin a project that will cover the vandalized wall with a new mural. The Grand Street Settlement will help with the new mural, much like the piece that was created in March for the same reasons by local artist Carla Torres. (WPIX 11 New York)
2. The New York City Council approved the controversial SoHo/Noho rezoning plan. The rezoning aims to create 3,500 new apartment units, with as many as 900 being subsidized for low- and middle-income residents. Among the main opponents of this plan are preservationists who fear that the rezoning will lead to the demolition of historic buildings across the neighborhood. (Gothamist)
3. For one day earlier in December, the Champions League Cup was on display at The Ground on Madison Street. During halftime in a match between Chelsea FC and Zenit Saint Petersburg, CBS was onsite to broadcast a live interview with former player Ashley Cole, and footage of the silver trophy. A Chelsea FC mural was also imparted onto the rooftop pitch at The Ground. (Bowery Boogie)

Today's Lower East Side-Chinatown Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Lower East Side-Chinatown!

Today in Lower East Side-Chinatown:

• Yule Dogs performing at Mercury Lounge. (6:30 p.m.)
• An Ugly Sweater social party at Sour Mouse. (6:30 p.m.)
• Award-winning cellist Jeffrey Zeigler to perform at the Young People’s Chorus of NYC’s art exhibition. (7 p.m.)
• Schtick A Pole In It, comedy show at Drom. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sad scene for the community as the demolition at East River Park continues. (Facebook)
• Reverend Billy & The StopShopping Choir performed a tree blessing at East River Park in support of the activists working to save it. (YouTube)
• A 24-foot disco ball Christmas tree on display at the PUBLIC Hotel, Chrystie Street. (TimeOut NY)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Dec. 17: Victorian Carol Sings with Two 19th Century Pipe Organs! (December 17)
• Big Apple Circus is NOW OPEN in New York City! (December 17)
• Amahl & the Night Visitors — Family Opera at Sands Point Preserve (December 18)
• 'Christmas in Italy' Concert — Italian/English music, singers, dance, holiday songs (December 18)
• Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD’s Sunniest Blooms (December 21)
• Add your event

Housing:

• Building Lot For Sale Pocono's (Details)
• Add your listing

Loving the Lower East Side-Chinatown Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at lowereastside@patch.com

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Patrick Murray