Groundbreaking ceremony held for new ABC No Rio building on Rivington Street

At long last, a new ABC No Rio building is ready to rise at the site of its previous home at 156 Rivington St. between Suffolk and Clinton. 

Yesterday, several city and local elected officials, along with a handful of activists and other members of the collectively run arts organization, broke ground on the lot.

The City is putting $21 million toward the project via the Department of Cultural Affairs. 

Said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo: "ABC No Rio embodies the DIY creative energy and legacy of the Lower East Side like few other places." 

The environmentally friendly new structure, designed by architect Paul Castrucci, will include a computer lab, print shop, dark room and a zine library, among other amenities. (Find more details here.)

Broke ground today on @abcnorio’s new arts facility designed by local architect Paul Castrucci. This will be one of the most energy efficient buildings ever built by the city! I have been involved in the fight to make this day possible for the past 30 years. pic.twitter.com/5GAENIwRbO

— Harvey Epstein (@HarveyforNY) July 16, 2024

You can read more about the groundbreaking and ABC No Rio history (founded in 1980) at The New York Times... The City ... and Hellgate (email registration required). 

Per officials, construction is set to start in three weeks... with a 2026 completion date. 

We hadn't heard much about the project since the summer of 2020, when DOB signage arrived on the plywood, showing an anticipated completion date of spring 2022 (see below photo from August 2020).

ABC No Rio first unveiled plans for a new home in March 2008. 

Its four-story building, said to be in disrepair, was demolished starting in March 2017 ... putting ABC No Rio's programming into "exile" at other arts organizations around the city.

Director Steve Englander shared a Facebook post in December 2019 addressing the latest setback at the site: "After excavating additional test pits to confirm existing conditions at one of the adjacent properties, we determined a redesign of our foundation and support of excavation plans was required." (Demolition of the Streit's Matzo Factory next door and the subsequent construction of the new condoplex on the site complicated ABC No Rio's plans.)

He also stated at the time: "We know that progress with the new building has seemed slow, but please be assured, we are moving forward. It's been tough, and we're glad that you’ve had our back."

Previously on EV Grieve:
• At ABC No Rio's last HardCore/Punk Matinee on Rivington Street (for now) 

Top two photos via @CommishCumbo on X ... last photo, from 1980, by Anton van Dalen