Community leaders from two lower Manhattan neighborhoods, Chinatown and Little Italy, joined forces Saturday to address what they say are ignored issues that have been detrimental to their communities. “There’s been public safety issues, community issues, economic issues, stores are closing,” said Bob Fonti, vice president of New York State Italian-America Political Action Commission.

These historic neighborhoods started taking shape more than a century ago, often in competition, and leaders say since Sept. 11, 2001, both communities have been trying to bounce back. But the COVID-19 pandemic only made matters worse by decreasing foot traffic and causing long time staples, like Alleva Dairy, to close its doors and popular Chinese restaurant Jing Fong to downsize.