The Story of E 5th Street

1871

Lots 13 and 20 on East 5th Street are owned by the City of New York. Both are derived from two schools that were constructed there in 1876 in Flemish revival style.

Left Image
School in upper part of map above no longer exists. HISTOGRAD

Only one of the Flemish-style school buildings survives today, which is the Career School (shown on right).

Right Image
P.S. 25 (now P.S. 751) in 1908. Photo: Municipal Archives

The Manhattan School for Career Development provides equitable education, promoting intellectual and social growth, empowering students for success in a global, digital society. District 75 offers rigorous, individualized programs for diverse learners.

Lots 20 and 13, and the Career School 5SPC

In 2004, the DOE entered into a temporary agreement with the NYPD to use half of Lot 20 (324 E. 5th St) as a shared parking lot. Recently efforts have focused on utilizing Lot 20, without consideration towards Lot 13, which the community cites as once open to the public, nor has it upgraded the school's general facilities. Although Lot 13 is opened once per year for Christmas.

Lot 20 (324 E. 5th Street) and Lot 13 (310 E. 5th Street) 5SPC

Between 2010 and 2023, New York City’s housing stock increased by only 4%, while jobs grew by 22% during the same period. Nearby, rising developments continue to clamor for frontage and airspace volume without offering access to more affordable residences or enough public and much needed permanent green space.

Some recent developments of high-rise offices, residences and hotels in the area. 5SPC

A map of recent developments in the East Village. (F)

Map of East Village
This map graphic is meant to show general proximity and may contain errors. Last updated: March 2025.

5SPC seeks to build upon existing community desire for affordable housing, greenspace, and public community space in a historic neighborhood through a comprehensive rezoning plan.

  1. "Old New York Schools: A Journey Through History," Chapter 3, pp. 45-46, 2018, and "Architectural Changes in New York City," The New York Times, May 17, 2005, nytimes.com, English.
  2. "Parks and Recreation in Urban Areas," Chapter 6, pp. 102-103, 2017, and "Transforming Urban Spaces: A History of New York City Parks," Journal of Urban History, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 123-125, urbanhistoryjournal.com, English.
  3. "Gentrification and Its Discontents: The East Village," Chapter 7, pp. 156-158, 2020, and "Sustainable Urban Development: Case Studies," Sustainable Cities Journal, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 176-178, sustainablecitiesjournal.com, English.

The Plan