••• Amazing photos of Lower Manhattan in the early 70s. “The Environmental Protection Agency sent photographer Wil Blanche out to capture images of the neighborhood as part of the EPA’s Documerica project, created to draw attention to environmental concerns and everyday life around the country in the 1970s. The World Trade Center officially opened in April 1973, and Blanche documented the site around the same time: many of his Documerica photos were taken that May.” —Atlantic Cities

••• “Freeman Plaza West, a square-block of vacant land bounded by Hudson, Broome and Watts streets which had previously been inaccessible to the public, will open as a street plaza on Thursday after a $200,000 makeover, courtesy of the Hudson Square Connection, the neighborhood’s business improvement district.” —Crain’s

••• “State Senator Daniel Squadron hosted his fifth annual ‘community convention’ on April 28, drawing more than 100 Downtown residents.” Maybe next time he should offer cookies. —Broadsheet

••• Masa Takayama’s teppanyaki restaurant on Leonard, Tetsu, is now shooting for November. —Eater

••• “It was the best of times for the 2nd floor loft at 86 Thomas Street, as it just sold for $1,325/ft; it was the worst of times for the 2nd floor loft next door at 84 Thomas Street, which failed to sell despite being offered $1,081/ft.” —Manhattan Loft Guy