April 4, 2021, 3:00 a.m. ET As a child growing up in SoHo, Akeela Azcuy remembers seeing her father, the drummer Rashied Ali, talking music with neighbors like the renowned jazz performer Ornette Coleman, who lived over on Grand Street. Artists of all incomes and backgrounds had descended onto the formerly industrial New York City neighborhood to make use of the open space, great light and extremely tolerant neighbors: Because the buildings were mostly empty, painters could freely stink up the hallways with smells of turpentine, and musicians like Ms. Azcuyâs father could practice for hours without interruption. Decades later, Ms. Azcuy still lives in the neighborhood, which has lost much of that artistry â and diversity.