May 2008 - The National Trust for Historic Preservation named the Lower East Side as one of the most endangered in places in America. "Endangered"?? As in dangerous? Full of crime? Under a earthquake fault? No to all. Here is how they phrased their concerns: The community, with little recourse for protection is reeling from the recent destruction of its cultural heritage, including the defacing of several historic structures and the loss of First Roumanian Synagogue. Slapdash and haphazard renovations have led to the destruction of architectural detail, while modern additions to historic buildings sharply contrast with the neighborhood's scale and character.What's the point? Some of us call that progress. Do they want to keep squalid living conditions? Or create wax replicas of immigrants and place them in a museum? It's a city people! A living, breathing, moving along and up city!