Neighborhood Chatter: 9.8.11

LOWER EAST SIDE: EVACUATION SUCCESS STORY Aixa Torres, Alfred E. Smith Houses Tenant Association president, is a good person to have around in an emergency situation. In the days of preparation for Hurricane Irene, Torres successfully coordinated the evacuation of 90 percent of the Smith residents. The housing complex, located on the Lower East Side, boasts a population of roughly 4,300 people.

Torres was honored last week by State Sen. Daniel Squadron, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Council members Margaret Chin and Rosie Mendez and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer for what is estimated to have been the most successful evacuation in New York City during the storm. Working with Smith Houses' staff, the tenant association was able to recruit a number of volunteers and translators and helped coordinate transportation to evacuation centers with the New York City Housing Authority, elected officials and other sister agencies. DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN: OUTDOOR PHOTO PROJECT Photographs of Manhattan snapped by local kids and submitted to the 91111 Moving Forward project are on display at various locations in Downtown Manhattan. The children were asked to capture the forward progression of New York City after 9/11 and to celebrate the diversity of the city. For a list of locations and to learn more about the project, visit www.91111movingforward.com.

Children are invited to vote for their favorite photos, and the winner will be announced Friday, Sept. 16. They can vote at www.notestrokes.com. LOWER MANHATTAN: CORTLANDT STREET SOUTHBOUND R SIDE REOPENS Workers, tourists and residents alike traveling to Lower Manhattan from uptown will be happy to know that as of Tuesday, Sept. 6, the southbound side of the R line at the Cortlandt Street station has resumed service. The station was closed in 2001 after sustaining significant damage during 9/11 and was reopened in 2002. It was closed again in 2005 for construction, and the northbound side was back up in 2009. MTA chairman and CEO Jay H. Wilder, Assembly Speaker Silver, Congressman Nadler, State Sen. Squadron, Manhattan Borough President Stringer and Council Member Chin were on hand at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday. bowery: DELANCEY STREET GETS COUNTDOWN CLOCKS After both State Sen. Squadron and Council Member Chin wrote an official letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) about the dangers of sections of Delancey Street in August, citing numerous accidents that have taken place on the thoroughfare, the agency has responded by installing pedestrian countdown clocks along the street last week.

In a statement, Squadron noted, "DOT heeded our call to install countdown clocks and begin the process of making Delancey Street safer for everyone. We appreciate the quick response and know there is still more to do."