Rampant NYC development killing Second Avenue’s character — and luxury is squashing food culture

David Cuozzo : New luxury apartment towers must have modest little restaurants at their sidewalk level.

He says zoning code is already complex enough to add a rule or two without turning the Big Apple into Marxist re-education camp.

So many luxury towers are going up that Second Avenue could one day resemble increasingly sterile Third Avenue , he says.

Cuozzi: There is an overwhelming demand for small restaurants of every cuisine on Second Avenue .

They’re rare exceptions to the preference for bank branches, which pay astronomical rents and are regarded by landlords as “clean” uses that draw no vermin. But the words of the prophets are written on the demolition notices. The city should act before Second Avenue — still Uptown ’s liveliest avenue for strolling and noshing — is starved for places to eat..