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Nowadays, African American population on the Lower East Side is on the decline.
A study conducted by the Two Bridges Neighborhood Council illustrated that this has been partially caused by a new wave of gentrification in Lower Manhattan. Many of the affordable rental buildings and rent-controlled apartments were transformed into more expensive co-ops and condos.2 These new units are beyond the reasonable price range for blacks in the Lower East Side. African American presence has dropped 8.16% since 2000, bringing the total down below 10%.3 The study goes on to say that if the current trend turns into the status quo, the Lower East Side will eventually become affordable for only the most affluent New York City residents.
The image above depicts the “BLUE” a luxury condo located at 105 Norfolk Street, that is one example of the many types of expensive housing options that are becoming the norm on the Lower East Side.
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1. “Blue Building,” http://www.glenwoodnyc.com/manhattan-living/wp-content/uploads/resource/new-york-city-architecture-blue-lower-east-side.jpg
2.Two Bridges Neighborhood Council,“ Decade After 9/11: A Look At Who We Are Now: How Gentrification Reshaped Manhattan Community Board 3,” May 2011: 3, http://www.nyc.gov/html/mancb3/downloads/cb3docs/TwoBridgesDemographicAnalysis.pdf.
3. Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, “Decade After 9/11: A Look At Who We Are Now, 11.
