The 'Mutant Rabid Gentrification Machine' Comes For Elderly East Village Woman Paying $84 A Month

Jean's kitchen, where little has changed since midcentury.

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Jean's kitchen, where little has changed since midcentury.

Scott Heins

After construction dust began covering her East Village apartment Hillary Johnson taped protective plastic sheets on her walls and windows.

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After construction dust began covering her East Village apartment Hillary Johnson taped protective plastic sheets on her walls and windows.

Scott Heins

Unfinished construction work mars the first floor hallway of 192 First Avenue.

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Unfinished construction work mars the first floor hallway of 192 First Avenue.

Scott Heins

A stark contrast from next door, 194 First Avenue features a newly-renovated look.

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A stark contrast from next door, 194 First Avenue features a newly-renovated look.

Scott Heins

Linda Marzulla's apartment can be seen in the decades-old photographs that adorn her refrigerator.

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Linda Marzulla's apartment can be seen in the decades-old photographs that adorn her refrigerator.

Scott Heins

Gina Kiamos in her living room at 194 First Avenue.

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Gina Kiamos in her living room at 194 First Avenue.

Scott Heins

The exterior block. 192-194 First Avenue is furthest to the left.

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The exterior block. 192-194 First Avenue is furthest to the left.

Scott Heins

A newly-installed mural in the backyard of 194 First Avenue clashes with the buildings' older fixtures.

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A newly-installed mural in the backyard of 194 First Avenue clashes with the buildings' older fixtures.

Scott Heins