Street Co-Naming Ceremony at University Settlement

The Lower East Side's University Settlement, a social services center, celebrated 125 years today. In honor of the celebration, friends and city officials, such as Council Member Margaret Chin and New York Senator Daniel Squadron gathered in a street co-naming ceremony for the block that University Settlement resides on, which is Eldridge St., in between Rivington and Delancey streets. Fun fact: Technical Director to M&M Pest Control/M&M Environmental Tim Wong was born and raised on Eldridge Street - keepin' it in the hood! The new second name for this block is now, "University Street."


Friends, neighbors, and employees gathered for this ribbon cutting ceremony, which took place outside of the official entrance to University Settlement. Afterwards, all of the attendees funneled inside University Settlement for an elaborate show of dragon-costume dancing and music to celebrate Chinese New Year. With dragons being constants in parades that celebrate Chinese New Year, regardless of the animal being honored, does that make 2012: The Year of the Dragon that much more special? Inquiring minds want to know.

Back at University Settlement, once the dancing died down,Council Member Chin and Senator Squadron took center stage to honor the official street sign. We ran into our friends from The Lo-Down, another Lower East Side blog, to share in the joy of this occasion.


"It's easy to be a state Senator for an area where you have Margaret Chin as the Council Member," Daniel Squadron remarked to the crowd. "I would have made it University Settlement Square, which wouldn't have made any sense," he confessed.

What a great way for the neighborhood to celebrate and what wonderful timing to be able to lump this celebration in with Chinese New Year festivities. Congratulations, University Settlement - enjoy the new name for your home!