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Read the press release here.

Fast-Growing FiDi Gets Its Own Neighborhood Association

By Irene Plagianos | February 10, 2016 5:28pm
 A new neighborhood association has formed in the Financial District.
A new neighborhood association has formed in the Financial District.
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DNAinfo/ Irene Plagianos

FINANCIAL DISTRICT — Some long-time residents of the Financial District have banded together, hoping to make their neighborhood a better place as its population continues to swell.

The Financial District Neighborhood Association is a means for locals to link up, and help form the area into a "more pleasant place for residents, especially as we're growing so fast," said Patrick Kennell, a founder of the organization, a member of the local community board who's lived in FiDi since 2004.

Kennell, who started the new association with several Downtown residents — including Luis Vazquez, who runs popular neighborhood Facebook page called FiDi Fan Page, as well as Denise Courter, the founder of FiDi Families, a website for all things kids-related in the neighborhood — said the goal isn't to be a repository for complaints, but instead a means to make positive improvements, and feel more connected to one's neighbors.

The Financial District, in the midst of a housing boom, is said to the fastest growing residential neighborhood in the city, and the association hopes to be another way to shine a light on things that need improvements, and help effect change as the growth continues.

Some issues the association hopes to address including the mounting garbage on the narrow streets of FiDi, overcrowding in schools, as well as concerns related to the constant construction, like noise and late-night work.

But Kennell emphasizes that they are looking for solutions to problems, instead of just gripes. The association also hopes to be a means for neighbors to quickly mobilize if there's a need in the community, like volunteering at local parks.

The neighborhood association is planning on holding its first town hall style meeting on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Pine Street School, 25 Pine St. The hope is to hold meetings bi-monthly, Kennell said. The group anticipates about 100 people at the first meeting — local elected officials may be in attendance as well. Those interested can simply show up.

For questions or more information, email info@fidinewyork.org.