Reader photo above; Jose Garcia photo below
Residents were surprised to see workers in a bucket lift this weekend at the site of the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center at 605 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.
Here's what's happening at the long-vacant, landmarked building, according to an email from the East Village Community Coalition:
As part of ongoing building stabilization and preservation efforts, a bucket lift will be on site as per the schedule below so that preservation architects and engineers can assess existing conditions by gently tapping (sounding) the façade elements with a rubber mallet. This sounding exercise is intended to ensure that the terracotta elements of the façade are safely tied into the building structure and are not in danger of falling.Elements that are not safely secured to the building may be removed for public safety purposes, and retained for replication or reinstallation. We have been assured that this work was planned in conversation with NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and Landmarks Conservancy, and that the building is not being demolished or harmed in any way.Please note the "No Parking" signs! A partial street closure will be in effect but is not expected to affect bus routes.605 E. Ninth St.• 8 am — 6 pm, Sept. 14• 9 am — 6 pm, Sept. 15• 8 am — 6 pm, Sept. 21350 E. 10th St.• 9 am — 6 pm, Sept. 22• 8 am — 6 pm, Sept. 28
This is the first noticeable work we've seen since owner Gregg Singer sold the crumbling property.
In a transaction filed on Jan. 9, an entity going as 605 East 9th Community Holdings LLC bought the property from longtime owner Gregg Singer for $57,267,453, per public records.
The LLC reportedly (per The Real Deal) has ties to Aaron Sosnick, a billionaire hedge fund manager who lives next door in the Christodora House. Denham Wolf Real Estate Services stated that the LLC is "a philanthropic entity with the purpose of returning the property to community use."
As previously noted, some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001.
I'm cautiously surprised that the "landmark" status of P.S. 64 is being observed; it sounds like [knock on terra-cotta] even the items Gregg Singer destroyed trying to get said status of his property removed will be replicated. [They cast replacement sections of the cornice of the Jarmolowsky bank building on Canal street out of silicone. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarmulowsky_Bank_Building]
ReplyDeleteEat dirt, Gregg!l
Thanks for the update
ReplyDeleteI believe that the LLC is the same one that bought the Boys and Girls Club and made it into a space for arts organizations, yes? Cautious optimism.
ReplyDeleteIt's been 23 years since CHARAS closed.We are a different community today. We have different needs. Racial politics should have no place in how the district is run and what the overall community wants and feels comfortable with. I hope Mr. Sosnik doesn't spend his money to satisfy a feeling of nostalgia when looking forward is the only way to make his investment worthwhile for the entire community.... like he did with the Joyce Dance Theater at the Boys Club.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm glad it's not lux condos, The Joyce is not a place for the community. It's a place for dancers to rehearse, there is a small gallery and dancers can rent rehearsal space. I hope PS 64 is truly for the community, not a private cultural institution. Has anyone ever set foot in the BC as it is now?
ReplyDeleteIt's not a private cultural institution. Any local group can use the space. And once they renovate the space I'm sure there will be a performance space. The arts is what made the EV a special, vital community. Today it's hard for a community group to run a program because of costs. Between renovation costs and program building PS 64 would need an incredible amount of money that the city will never support. It would need partners to put up money and share the future costs. And that would be basically prohibitive.
DeleteIdeally, they'll renovate the auditorium in the basement to be an auditorium/theater again; I hope they take advantage of that space.
ReplyDeleteOn a related issue of community interest: When is Carlina Rivera's last day in office?
ReplyDeleteCan't be soon enough for me!
DeleteWe desperately need more housing in the city. To use this for something other than housing is kind of selfish IMO. Our primary need is housing and I hope this provides that.
ReplyDeleteHow do you propose they accomplish this? Are you suggesting they should blanket all 5 floors of the building with cots for short-term stays—or something more permanent?
DeleteAlso, I suppose it’s not too difficult to change the designation of a landmarked cultural institution so that the building can instead provide housing, but do you have experience in this?