Originally designated as Public School 23, 70 Mulberry Street was constructed in 1892 under the design of C.B.J. Snyder and is centrally located in the vibrant neighborhood of Chinatown. It was within P.S. 23 that Snyder conceived the innovative idea of an underground theater, marking the inception of a movement aimed at integrating community centers and neighborhood gathering places within the framework of New York City's public school system.

Over the years, numerous urban programming and "community building" proposals have been put forth for 70 Mulberry Street. These concepts encompass the utilization of available spaces, the deployment of temporary structures, the introduction of movable buildings, and more. The vision for this newfound community area envisions it as a cultural focal point and a versatile space designed to function as a communal area adaptable enough to accommodate both current tenants and potential newcomers, as outlined in the "Shared Vision" materials. Given its larger-than-life potential, this space holds the promise of providing substantial cultural and economic benefits to the community.