C-Squat facts for kids

Quick facts for kids C-Squat
Squatters' notice at C-Squat
General information
Address	155 Avenue C
Town or city	Manhattan, New York
Country	United States
Coordinates	40°43′33″N 73°58′40″W / 40.725708°N 73.977791°W / 40.725708; -73.977791
Completed	1872; 153 years ago (1872)
Known for	Former squat house

C-Squat is a special building at 155 Avenue C in Alphabet City, New York City. It used to be a "squat house," which means people lived there without officially owning it. Over time, it became a legal home for musicians, artists, and activists.

After a fire in 1978, the city took over the building. In 1989, a new group of people moved in and started living there. They worked hard to fix it up. By 2002, the building was officially restored. Since then, the people living there have legally owned it together. Today, the ground floor is home to the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space.

The History of C-Squat

How C-Squat Started

The C-Squat building was built in 1872. Over the years, it was home to many different businesses. These included a pickle shop, a cigar factory, and even a saloon.

In 1978, a big fire damaged the building. The city of New York then took ownership. Some people, mainly Latino and Black residents, stayed in the building. They lived there without official permission. They even ran a club that wasn't officially allowed. Six years later, these residents were asked to leave. The building was empty until 1989. That's when the people who live there now moved in.

Many buildings in New York City became empty in the 1970s. Landlords often left old apartment buildings. By the 1980s, people started moving into these empty buildings. This happened in areas like Alphabet City. These new residents were called squatters. They had to fight to stay in their homes. The city tried to remove many of them. But in the end, 12 squatter buildings, including C-Squat, managed to stay.

Becoming a Legal Home

Starting in 2002, the city worked with the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB). This group helps people create their own homes. They helped C-Squat and 11 other buildings become legal. UHAB helped turn these buildings into cooperative housing. This means the people living there own the building together.

UHAB worked with the residents and banks. They got loans to fix up the buildings. This made sure the buildings met city safety rules. The residents then became owners of their homes. C-Squat is no longer a "squat." It is a legally owned building. The former squatters bought it from the city for just one dollar in 2002.

Fun and Art at C-Squat

A Halloween party at C-Squat in 2011.

For many years, C-Squat was a lively place. It had a special ramp called a half-pipe in the basement. This was built from old materials for skaters. The building also often hosted punk rock music shows.

Many artists and activists have lived or visited C-Squat. The inside of the building is covered in amazing graffiti. It looks like subway cars from long ago. But instead of just names, the walls have messages. These messages are about change, freedom, and funny ideas.

Fixing Up the Building

When the squatters first moved in, the building was in bad shape. It was falling apart. The main support beams were rotten. The residents found used beams and fixed them themselves. They did all the repairs on the building. This was a huge job, but they transformed the space.

One writer noted how difficult this was. The building had sunk almost a foot in the middle. The squatters replaced the beams one by one. They got old but still good beams from nearby construction sites.

As part of the agreement in 2002, UHAB helped get a loan. This money helped pay for important renovations. The goal was to make the building meet city safety rules. The squatters did most of the work themselves. This helped keep costs low. Once the work was done, the residents became the legal owners. They now own the building as a housing cooperative.

The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space

The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) is located on the ground floor of C-Squat. It's like a living history book of the Lower East Side. It shows how people in the neighborhood created community gardens and fixed up abandoned buildings.

The museum opened in October 2012. It displays photos, posters, and other items. These show how local people cleaned up empty lots. They also turned old buildings into community spaces.

MoRUS offers walking tours of the East Village. These tours visit famous community gardens and former squats. The guides are often activists, gardeners, or journalists. They were directly involved in the history of the neighborhood.

Even though MoRUS is in C-Squat, it's a separate museum. It helps share the story of how people worked together. It shows how they created important community spaces in the city.

See also

In Spanish: C-Squat para niños

• ABC No Rio
• Bullet Space