Bomb scare closes part of Avenue A this morning; cops find golf balls, shards of glass

Manhattan: East 13 St & Ave A, NYPD & ESU on scene reporting a suspicious package at the location, Bomb Squad investigating.

— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) September 20, 2016

The NYPD shut down Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street because of a box (marked from Amazon) was placed on the curb in front of Gabay's Outlet.

The bomb squad checked it out.

And inside?

Per EVG special correspondent Christine Champagne, who shared these photos...



The box was filled with shards of glass and golf balls.

The fall of Lenin: Iconic statue removed from Red Square on East Houston Street

Back in August, the Post reported that Red Square, the 13-floor building, was in contract to be sold to Dermot Co. for roughly $100 million.

There's nothing yet in public records to reflect the sale of the building on East Houston Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Meanwhile, a tipster told us that the 18-foot statue of Vladimir Lenin, which has stood atop the building since 1994 (Red Square was built five years earlier), was coming down last night... EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by for the Lenin removal, which took more then two-plus hours...



















And a view from the roof ...


[Photo via @ElizabethQBrown]

One now-former Red Square resident said that the building's management isn't renewing leases past April. Another tipster claimed that Michael Rosen, the building's original developer, had purchased the statue, which was being transported to Queens.

The building was completed in 1989. And the statue?

Per Ephemeral New York:

“The 18-foot Lenin statue was originally a state-commissioned work by Yuri Gerasimov, but the Soviet Union’s implosion prevented the statue from going on public display. It was found by an associate of [a building co-owner] in the backyard of a dacha outside Moscow.”

[Photo by Lower East Side Lenin Fan]


[Photo by Lower East Side Lenin Fan]

In 1997, Michael Shaoul, a co-owner of the building, told the Times that the statue of Lenin, with his right arm raised victoriously, "faces Wall Street, capitalism's emblem, and the Lower East Side, 'the home of the socialist movement.'"

Updated 9/21

Looks as if Lenin will live on nearby ... on Norfolk Street, per BoweryBoogie.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Red Square has been sold

Report: Red Square has been sold for $100 million

Former Guayoyo space for rent on 1st Avenue

The for rent sign via landlord Icon Realty is up now at 67 First Ave.

Per the listing, the location at Fourth Street is "Perfect For: Restaurant, bar, clothing store, salon, and all general retail uses."

It was a perfect location for Guayoyo, the family-owned Venezuelan restaurant. On the morning of Jan. 13, 2015, a fire broke out in the basement of the building. In a follow-up inspection, Con Ed discovered a gas leak at the address.

In April 2015, an employee said they hoped to have the restaurant reopened soon. That never happened as repairs and red tape ensued with the landlord and Con Ed. (Read more about the situation here.) As we understand it, Guayoyo vacated the lease in August ... 20 months after the fire.

The husband-wife team who owned Guayoyo previously ran Kura Sushi at the address, which dates to 1988.

A message posted on Guayoyo's Facebook page on Aug. 30 reads in part: "Unfortunately we are forced to close the doors despite the efforts made to ensure its reopening during this year and a half of forced closure due to circumstances beyond our control."

The asking rent for the storefront is $20,000 per month.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Guayoyo has been closed now for 1 year

Activity in the long-empty lot that will house 8 floors of condos on 1st Avenue

Workers yesterday removed the rotting plywood covering the long-empty lot at 75 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street, as these photos by EVG reader Nat Esten show...



... and another photo via Yenta Laureate...



As we previously reported, this lot adjacent to Rite Aid, which has been empty for years, will be home to an 8-story building — featuring 22 residences in total. (No retail.)

Here's what the Colonnade Group has planned for the lot via their website:

Designed by HTO-Architect, the building will rise 8 stories and will stand out with its contemporary and timeless glassy structure. Comprised of 22 residential units, ranging from 1 to 3 bedroom condominiums, 75 I˚ AVE is the ultimate destination for New York sophisticated buyers looking for all the comforts of a high-end residence in a young and dynamic environment.

All of the units will benefit from a number of amenities, including Fitness Center, Lounge and Library, Private and Common Roof Deck, Storage, Bike Storage & Doorman.

We didn't spot any full renderings of the project... but the Colonnade website had this tease of an image...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Developer: A shorter building in the works now for 75 First Avenue

High-rise for 75 First Avenue back in play

Long-stalled First Avenue site now has a brand-new rendering

Report: Long-dormant 1st Avenue development site changes hands

Plywood report and the future of 75 1st Ave. (Spoiler: condos)

Fresno II Gourmet Deli signage arrives on 3rd Street and Avenue C

Signage went up on Saturday on the southwest corner of Avenue C and Third Street ... for Fresno II Gourmet Deli... presumably a sibling to Fresno Gourmet Deli located one building away on Avenue C.

The signage shows some sandwiches, a bagel and coffee cup... as well as a pepperoni pizza.

Pizza would make sense. The corner space was home to Majesty Pizza and Grill, which closed back in January... and previously, Lebrini's Pizzeria held forth for nearly four years.

And the growing Fresno presence is nearly up to that of the Yankee Deli Empire further north on Avenue C.

Thanks to @jason_chatfield for the photo!

Monday's parting shot (a.m. edition)

A look downtown from this morning via Bobby Williams...

Activity at Nino's, and brown-paper action

Late last week workers placed paper over the windows at the former Nino's, the pizzeria that closed in the fall of 2015 on Avenue A at St. Mark's Place.

EVG reader Peter D. shared these photos from Friday...





As previously reported, owner Nino Camaj accepted a low six-figure amount to walk away from his remaining 10-year lease and surrender the pizza shop that he opened in 1989. He had been in a dispute with the landlord over back rent and a closure due to a gas leak in the building.

No word on what might be coming here. There aren't any work permits on file that match up to a storefront renovation.

James Morrissey, who owns The Late Late on East Houston and now VNYL on Third Avenue, had been after the Nino's space to combine with the former Hop Devil Grill next door to create The Honey Fitz. Those plans were put on hold, though Morrissey told DNAinfo back in February the he "remains interested in the location, assuming all outstanding lease issues have been resolved."

There is also brown paper up in the windows in the same building at the long-vacant spaces on St. Mark's Place that housed Ton-Up Cafe and The Belgian Room... No word what might be coming here either.


[Photo by Steven]

And while we're looking at brown paper in windows on St. Mark's Place... that's the case at the former Box Kite Coffee at No. 115...



After a rather dismissive goodbye in early August, a help-wanted ad appeared inside the storefront for an experienced manager "to reopen"

The demolition of the Mobil station and full NEKST reveal

In early September a crew busied itself taking down the former Mobil station on Avenue C and East Houston... These photos are from Sept. 11...





...and by this past Friday... the station was gone...





The demolition provides a full view of the NEKST tag...





Aby Rosen's RFR Realty actually had the NEKST preserved out front of 190 Bowery. (Read more about Sean “NEKST” Griffin here.)

There won't be any tag preservation here. Permits are pending for a 9-story retail-residential building with 46 residences. This!


[Rendering by Rotwein + Blake]

Looks like an awfully large building for the size of the lot. There have been rumors that 249 E. Second St., which had been for sale with air rights, would be gobbled up as part of this development. There's nothing on file with the DOB about any new work here.

The Mobil station closed on Sept. 2, 2014. It was the last one in business in the East Village.

Previously on EV Grieve:
You have a little longer to get gas on Avenue C

Plans filed for new 9-story building at site of Mobil station on East Houston and Avenue C

State seizes Mobil station on Avenue C and Houston for nonpayment of taxes

New residential building for former Mobil station lot will be 10 floors with 0 zero affordable units

A look inside the last East Village gas station

The former St. Mark's Bookshop is for rent

[Photo by Steven]

We spotted a listing for 136 E. Third St., the last location of St. Mark's Bookshop here in the NYCHA-controlled First Houses between Avenue A and First Avenue.

The listing at LoopNet notes a few details:

Good glass frontage, former bookstore.
No venting, no bars,
No basement. No outdoor use.

The space is just over 1,300 square feet... with an asking price of $60 per square foot. So roughly $7,800 a month.

After 38 years at four locations, St. Mark's Bookshop closed last Feb. 28 (with an "epilogue sale" on March 5).

Among other things, the long-struggling store reportedly owned some $70,000 in back rent to the NYCHA.

The store's previous location, 31 Third Ave., has been tenant free since the St. Mark's Bookshop moved out in 2014. The space has held several pop-up events for the students of landlord Cooper Union.

Steve Croman is set to return to court tomorrow (Tuesday!)

Landlord Steve Croman is due back in court tomorrow ... he is under criminal indictment for mortgage fraud in a probe launched by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

In addition, a civil suit alleges that Croman "directs an illegal operation that wields harassment, coercion, and fraud to force rent-regulated tenants out of their apartments and convert their apartments into highly profitable market-rate units."

Tomorrow morning at 9, Croman tenants are holding a rally outside Manhattan Criminal Court at 100 Centre Street. After the rally, tenants are going to Judge Jill Konviser's chamber, 13th floor room 1322, to witness the proceedings.

After his last court appearance in June, Croman's defense attorney, Ben Brafman, said that his client was close to reaching a plea agreement.

“We are working diligently to try and resolve this matter on a global basis and hope to be able to do so by the next court appearance.”

Croman's real-estate empire includes 47 buildings with 617 units in the East Village. As previously noted, Croman owns more buildings in the East Village than any other landlord.

130 St. Mark's Place is for rent

[Photo by Steven]

The for rent sign arrived late last week at 130 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue... Via Della Pace Pizza quietly closed here back in June after less than one year in business.

Before this, Falanghina Pizza Bar gave the address a shot, but it didn't catch on either.

The previous business here was able to make it for 34 years until a substantial rent hike (as well as decline in business) helped force out Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen in December 2012.

No word on the asking rent for the space.

Checking in on 500 and 524 E. 14th St., where work looks to be past the halfway mark

Workers look to be up to the fourth floor now at the incoming 7-story 500 E. 14th St., the retail-residential complex that will include the small-format Target...





And on the other side of holdout 520 E. 14th St. ... here's 524 E. 14th St. ...





And the view of No. 500 from 13th Street...



This is to serve as the building's loading dock. To minimize traffic on the side street, CB3 OK'd two, 75-foot loading zones for 224 Avenue A and 512 E. 14th St. Each zone will take away four parking spots. However, per the May CB3 meeting minutes, this is a better alternative that "will allow Extell to use commercial zones and not a residential block."

Combined, both buildings will have 150 residences. (Of those, 32 will reportedly be below-market rate.)

The retail listing at RKF for No. 500 says that tenant possession of the space is the fourth quarter of 2017.

Previously on EV Grieve:
New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units

Breaking (pretty much!): Target is coming to 14th Street and Avenue A (40 comments)

Week in Grieview

[Drumming on 2nd Street near 2nd Avenue via Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

New building permits filed for 13-story Moxy Hotel on East 11th Street across from Webster Hall (Wednesday)

Swiss Institute moving into the former Chase branch on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place (Friday)

The Alamo fakes us out again (Tuesday)

Avenue B condos near former heroin hot spot named Poppy Lofts (Monday)

Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen is back, and now with extended hours (Thursday)

Condos planned for Third Street development site at the Bowery (Thursday)

Raphael Toledano is selling 444 E. 13th St. (Tuesday)

New 6-story residential building OK'd for Seventh Street (Tuesday)

Here is the Tompkins Square Bagels signage on Second Avenue (Thursday)

The Figueroa family clears the weeds from the site of the deadly Second Avenue explosion (Thursday)

About the East Village Eye show (Friday)

Out and About with Amy Sheridan (Wednesday)

Sugar Sketch softly opens on Second Street (Friday)

It double rainbow-ed again (Wednesday)

Nail salons on 14th Street: 1 up, 1 down (Tuesday)

Web-browsing function shut off at LinkNYC kiosks (Thursday)

The return of an MCA memorial mural (Monday)

Former Tower Records on Broadway will become a studio for AOL (Tuesday)

The loss of a majestic American elm on Third Street (Thursday)

A few more details about the Kati Roll Company coming to Second Avenue (Monday)

347 Bowery getting its zinc supplements (Monday)

Citi Bike rider gets a ticket for not stopping at the crosswalk on 14th Street and First Avenue (Friday, 53 comments)

Former Capital One® space now for rent on 14th and Third (Monday)

...Woody Allen and crew were filming on East Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue on Thursday...


[Photo by Derek Berg]

...the untitled project — Allen's 48th film — is set in 1950s Brooklyn, and stars Kate Winslet, Juno Temple, James Belushi and (below right) Justin Timberlake...


[DB]

...and Goggla shared this from Friday — this little fella is hidden away in Tompkins Square Park... waiting for the Big Day. Again.

The Village View tag sale is today

Village View's Semi-Annual Flea Market/Tag Sale is today ... in the playground just behind 60 Avenue A at the corner of East Fourth Street and Avenue A from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Usually some good finds here. Take a look at the spring sale here.

Props for Load Out today

[Photo by FABnyc]

Via the EVG inbox...

Once again, FABnyc is hosting Load OUT! – a creative recycling and repurposing riot during which we bring together gently used materials from arts organizations throughout the East Village and LES. Take home costumes, props, and furniture for your next artistic endeavor! This edition of Load OUT! is part of SUSTAIN – a day encouraging recycling, reusing, and repurposing in your everyday life, presented by FABnyc in partnership with Downtown Art.

Admission: FREE for artists & students / $5 for general public.
11 am – 2 pm
Rod Rodgers & DMAC Lot, 11 E. 3rd Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery

Maybe Third Street Spidey will end up here.