Bowery Dish 2004
Distributed by Cinema Guild, 115 West 30th Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10001; 212-685-6242
Produced by Kevin R. Frech and Joan Kassida
Directed by Kevin Frech
VHS, color, 52 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Economics, Environmental Studies, Social Studies, Urban Studies
Date Entered: 03/10/2005
Reviewed by Katherine Parsons, Information Literacy Outreach Librarian, Bronx Community CollegeThis program examines the rejuvenation of the Bowery, an urban community located in New York City. Through personal accounts of those who reside and work in the area and archival footage, the viewer gets a vivid look at the Bowery then and now. Once seen as a poverty stricken neighborhood infested with drug users, homeless individuals, and lots of crime, the Bowery is now home to upscale luxury apartments, four-star restaurants, bars, clubs, and lodges.
According to the gentrification process the Bowery has transformed at three different levels: macro, middle, and micro. The macro level consisted of change within the economy. The community shifted from a manufacturing district to a service industry district which included the development of several social services agencies. Since this area was so destitute, many homeless people stayed in the area. There were about twenty flop houses in this district, two of which are the Bowery Mission and the Sunshine Hotel, both assisting those in need.
The middle level brought about an increase in property value. During this phase, realtors saw the Bowery as a prime real estate area. New businesses and apartment complexes where built. Unfortunately, this left some of the homeless in the area with no place to go. Since the area was now seen as “the place to be,” rent began to sky-rocket and several flop houses and small businesses were forced to close. New businesses and luxury apartments brought in new residents, shoppers and tourists to the Bowery. This is the micro level of gentrification. Young professionals, artists and affluent people started to visit and live in the Bowery, further pushing out the homeless.
Bowery Dish is recommended with reservations. Although the program is informative and discusses the concept of gentrification, gentrification is not clearly defined. It does however give a historical overview of one of New York’s up and coming communities. It would useful as a teaching resource about the effects of economic development on a community.