The usual.
In the past six weeks, we've heard from a dozen different people who passed along various tips about incoming development. To date, there hasn't been much hard evidence, such as a real-estate listing or demolition permit.
We heard more after yesterdays's post about the East Side 99¢ store relocating.
Per THE NOTORIOUS L.I.B.E.R.A.T.I.O.N.:
Someone recently told me the stretch of 14th Street between Avenue A down to the Blarney Cove is about to get a major overhaul.
Per Gojira:
The vet at ABC Animal Hospital, Dr. Tufaro, is also looking for new space; he told me yesterday that the whole south side of that block from the former Stuyvesant Grocery down to his location is slated for demolition and development. He also said the owners of Bargain Bazaar were in court trying to hold onto their lease, which runs through 2016 but which the landlord wants to break. Can you say "upscale luxury condo", boys and girls? Sure you can.
This is consistent with what we've heard. And various tipsters/readers have passed along three different scenarios:
1) All the space to the west of the Rainbow clothing shop, the area that fell to fire, will be developed into some type of housing-retail complex.
2) All the space starting at the Rite Aid west to Avenue A will be developed into some type of housing-retail complex.
3) The big one. All the space starting at the ABC Animal Hospital west to Avenue A will be developed into some type of housing-retail complex.
So far, there isn't anything to prove any of these rumors. And remember — they're only rumors at this point. (We recall walking into the Blarney Cove about 10 years ago only to hear the news that they were closing soon due to a new development. And we got to drink for free since they were closing!)
However, the last time we heard this much chatter about a rumored development: 74-76 Third Ave. ... and in a few months, all that became official with the news of an 82,000-square-foot, nine-story residential building with 94 units.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Conspiracies: What next for 14th Street and Avenue A?
Those persistent rumors about 74-76 Third Avenue and the future of Nevada Smiths
[Images via Google]
Generations of my family have patronized the Blarney Cove. Nothing would make me happier than 20 years from now seeing that little building stuck in between all the eventual high-rises. LOL
ReplyDeleteMy mom made me drag her to the Blarney Cove this past Christmas during her trip down here. She loved it. Said it reminded her of the old bars in East Boston. I feel a new family tradition coming on lol.
ReplyDeleteI know people are very nostalgic for old NYC
ReplyDeletebut the fact is this block is extremely underutilized and has huge potential
my dream is a subway entrance to the L Train on ave A
and a trader joe
That block is depressing - I'm with the developers on this one.
ReplyDeleteThere is a big difference between underutilized and overdeveloped. As usual, Bloomberg and his cronies can't seem to understand
ReplyDeleteIt would be "depressing" if the slimelord had allowed The Stuy Town Grocery guys to remain instead of taking advantage of the fire tragedy by tripling their rent so they couldn't return.
ReplyDeleteThis is the only block in NYC where anyone tried to mug me. It has a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteWell between this and whatever hellish thing happens to the church on ave a, we are sure in for a huge increase in readers of this blog as the population triples. However, I have a friend who lives uptown and she now lives across from a new 100 story condo being designed for billionaires rather than millionaires ( I think that's their marketing slogan) so comparatively our new neighbors will be slumming it.
ReplyDeleteI get Bloomberg is hellbent on turning a once ethnically and culturally diverse Manhattan into a corporate chain-friendly, nightlife and foodie mecca and that a bodega, a pizza shop, a veterinarian, a clothing store, a pet store, a dive bar, and a dollar store have no place in this vision, but the vision is getting pretty monotonous and tired.
ReplyDeleteEvery block is starting to look the same and quite honestly, a vet and a pet store are more useful to me than yet ANOTHER bar or restaurant with 9,000 TVs on the wall attracting a culturally void clientele.
The neighborhood is starting feel like a frozen yogurt cup-littered Raymour & Flanigan... in sequins.
Buh bye Tufaro.
ReplyDeleteI know I may be late the party on this one, but this effects me directly, as I do live in the neighborhood and have done so my entire life. Bloomberg's vision of a homogenous, cookie cutter, over priced mecca for his millionaire and billionaire sycophants is very real. Residents along many waterside properties in Manhattan, especially in the East Village and Lower East Side are seeing their once ethnically and culturally vibrant neighborhoods, turn into a haven for upwardly mobile "New Yorkers" (I use quotations, as many of these new residents aren't born in NYC). It's tragic to see how many people choose to ignore the fact that NYC will soon be a place that anyone earning less than $100,000 a year will not be able to live in. From Washington Heights to the Lower East Side, Manhattan is no longer a place were low/middle working class families can afford to stay. Eventually, the city of NY will be overtaken by the "Nouveau riche" and become a dull, lifeless shell of its former self. If you care enough, please speak out and let your voices be heard. Stop gentrification in NYC and help to find solutions in which everyone, low income to high income residents, may live together and not loss our neighborhoods. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!!
ReplyDeleteIt is Jan 2014. My apt overlooks the roofs of the once rainbow store and the pizza area (e 14 a and b). they are right now being torn up piece by piece every morning. I dont have a cell phone camera so i cant send u a look. I face e. 14th so for me if they build any building with floors I will no longer be able to face 14th freely. My windows will be blocked. I am saddened by the loss of shopkeepers I came to know and where I could conveniently do my purchases inexpensively. NY is getting more and more unlivable.
ReplyDelete