On Saturday morning, we noticed that workers were erecting a sidewalk bridge around the building that houses Veselka on Second Avenue and East Ninth Street.
We asked Veselka owner Tom Birchard what happened. He tells us that several small pieces of masonry fell off the building on Thursday. They quickly notified the landlord, whose contractor started putting the sidewalk bridge into place on Friday.
"The landlord assures us that repairs will take place as quickly as possible but it may take a month just to get the necessary permits to start work," Birchard says. "Worst possible time of year for this to happen."
The sidewalk seating was able to return after workers finished the bridge.
8 comments:
So... Veselka doesn't own their building? This is not good news.
I saw that sun shade going up Saturday afternoon. I was surprised to see any work being done on a weekend!
Just the other day I was across the avenue and looked at this building and thought this was a really nice piece of architecture.
I had the same thought as SpragueD. Sure, it is one of the most popular and busiest eateries around. Doesn't matter! Nothing's safe anymore. I mean, that space would make for a nice Citibank branch, you know it and I know it.
Ok - so sitting outside is more important than protecting pedestrians from falling debris? Automatically people think that the landlord wants to kick them out because he/she put a sidewalk bridge up to protect from the falling debris. Get a grip people, because you would be the first ones to criticize the landlord if these objects actually hurt someone.
To one of the Anonymouses (Anonymi..?): we're not concerned about the sidewalk shed going up (of course repairs need to be made), we're concerned to hear that a beloved business doesn't own their building -- which is the only way a store or restaurant can really be protected from the risk of being priced out of a rapacious real estate market.
To SpragueD et al:
I've known for years Tom doesn't own the building; every time the rent goes up, he grumbles and raises his prices.
Veselka has a non-extortionist landlord, though. No need to get yr knickers in a twist on this one.
It is surprising how much it costs to eat at Veselka. At lunch yesterday my pal and I got two entrees, a tea and a coffee (no apps, dessert, etc) and each left $22 lighter.
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