Baiting stations arrive at the 2nd Avenue explosion site

An EVG reader passes along word about the recent (Friday?) arrival of baiting stations on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street, the site where three buildings (Nos. 119-121-123) were destroyed in the deadly gas explosion this past March 26.



According to the city's Rat Information Portal, there are "Active Rat Signs" at 123 Second Ave., the address of one of the buildings lost on March 26.

The reader also noted the unfortunate proximity of the baiting stations to the memorials for Moises Ismael Locón Yac and Nicholas Figueroa, the two men who died in the explosion.

Workers remove plywood tribute at the site of 2nd Avenue explosion

[Photo from May 18 by Vinny & O]

On May 18, workers removed the plywood fence that surrounded the site of where 119-123 Second Ave. stood until the deadly gas explosion on March 26. However, the plywood — with photos and tributes to Moises Ismael Locón Yac and Nicholas Figueroa, the two men who died on March 26 — remained up behind the new chain-link fence.

Yesterday, though, several readers mentioned that workers took down that plywood fencing…



… and stacked it up in the lot…



Meanwhile, we haven't heard much about the investigation into the blast. Last Friday, in an article about B&H Dairy reopening, the Post had a few updates on what they called "an ongoing criminal probe."

According to the Post, prosecutors and homicide investigators continue to question witnesses.

They spoke to Marius Wesser, the lawyer for chef Machendra Chongbang, who worked at Sushi Park, the site of the explosion. He said that he went for an interview last month at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Per the Post:

“They must have had 20 people there,” Wesser said. “Fire investigators, [DA] rackets bureau people, NYPD — it was pretty intense.”

The DA’s Office declined to comment, and lawyers for Maria Hrynenko, who owned the blast building and the one next door, did not return calls.

H/T Vinny & O

[Updated] Birthday wishes for Nicholas Figueroa on 2nd Avenue

Nicholas Figueroa, who died in the gas explosion at 121 Second Ave. on March 26, would have been 24 today.

A Figueroa family member stopped by the site of the blast on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street this morning to hang the Happy Birthday banners.



Moises Ismael Locón Yac also died during the explosion that leveled three buildings at 117-123 Second Ave.

Updated 7 p.m.

Nicholas's friends and family are gathering on the sidewalk this evening to celebrate his birthday…




His mother made cupcakes for passersby…



… and here is a birthday greeting from his parents…



Thanks to EVG reader Daniel for the photos

Reminders: CB3 fundraiser for 2nd Avenue is tomorrow night

Community Board 3 is presenting "Orchard Street Loves 2nd Avenue" tomorrow night from 7-10 at Lucky Jack's, 129 Orchard St. (between Rivington and Delancey).

It's $20 to get in, and all the proceeds go to Second Avenue businesses affected by the deadly gas explosion on March 26.

How displaced residents are faring after the 2nd Avenue gas explosion

[Photo Monday via Blue Glass]

City Limits files an in-depth look at the residents who lost their homes during the deadline gas explosion on March 26.

Here are a few excerpts from the piece:

The three buildings destroyed in the March 26 blast—45 East Seventh St. (119 Second Avenue), 121 Second Ave., and 123 Second Ave.—included 15 apartments. Adjacent buildings also sustained damage and many were ordered vacated. While most tenants buildings have reopened, at press time, five apartments at 125 Second Ave. and two at 41 East Seventh St. were still under vacate orders.

---

Kim-Nora Moses, 52, also lived at 45 East Seventh St. She and her husband, Robert Schmidt, 55, had a three-bedroom rent-stabilized apartment for 23 years, and paid close to $2,000 rent. Moses laments the loss of her gorgeous home, and where she is now pales in comparison. The couple, who had renter's insurance, moved into the same building as Guy this week with help from Cooper Square Committee. Their one-year lease is for a one-bedroom, with a monthly rent of around $800. Lease renewal for the building is dependent on income, and the couple earns too much to stay permanently.

---

Whatever their rent status, tenants who lost their homes need help. There is some monetary relief on its way to individuals and families affected by the explosion, for housing and material goods. The first installment of $45,000, from the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, was released to LES Ready on April 29. More than $150,000 was raised by donation, and LES Ready will disseminate funds based on need.

---

Read the whole article here.

CB3 hosting fundraiser for 2nd Avenue

Community Board 3 is presenting "Orchard Street Loves 2nd Avenue" next Wednesday, May 27, at Lucky Jack's, 129 Orchard St. (between Rivington and Delancey).

It's $20 to get in, and all the proceeds go to Second Avenue businesses affected by the deadly gas explosion on March 26.

A new fence for the 2nd Avenue blast site; tributes to victims will remain

Workers arrived this morning to put in a new chain-link fence around the site of the deadly gas explosion on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street…

A few readers wondered what would become of the plywood fencing with photos and tributes to Moises Ismael Locón Yac and Nicholas Figueroa, the two men who died at 121 Second Ave. on March 26.



According to one of the workers, the plywood will remain at the site behind the new fence…







Thanks to EVG readers Jose Garcia, Steven and Blue Glass for the photos

Updated 5/18


[Photo by Vinny & O]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Posters arrive to memorialize Moises Ismael Locón Yac and Nicholas Figueroa on 2nd Avenue

Remembering Moises Ismael Locón Yac on 2nd Avenue

A makeshift memorial for East Village explosion victim Nicholas Figueroa on 2nd Avenue

E-Nail is back open

The salon at 125 Second Ave. reopened today … for the first time since the deadly gas explosion at 121 Second Ave. on March 26. (E-Nail had temporarily relocated to a space on East Sixth.)

Meanwhile, Enz's remains closed next door… owner Mariann Marlowe is currently selling her vintage clothes from a storefront at 627 E. Sixth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C. And at 127 Second Ave., B&H Dairy hopes to reopen in the coming week.

H/T EVG reader Beth

At the former 121 Second Ave.

As of yesterday, there are now two small bouquets of flowers and crosses in the lot where 119-123 Second Ave. once stood.

Moises Ismael Locón Yac and Nicholas Figueroa died during the gas explosion at 121 Second Ave. on March 26.

Posters arrive to memorialize Moises Ismael Locón Yac and Nicholas Figueroa on 2nd Avenue

Several EVG readers noted early last evening that a woman was adding these poster-sized tributes to the plywood surrounding the Second Avenue explosion site at East Seventh Street...



Moises Ismael Locón Yac and Nicholas Figueroa died during the blast at 121 Second Ave. on March 26.

Photos today via Derek Berg

Report: Sushi Park chef sues 121 2nd Ave. landlord Maria Hrynenko

[Photo by Nathan Blaney]

Per the Daily News:

Machendra Chongbang, 28, is seeking unspecified damages in Manhattan Supreme Court for his injuries, which include possible brain damage from a severe concussion, abdominal and knee injuries.

In papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Chongbang says MAH Realty which owned the structure housing the restaurant caused and created "a dangerous and defective condition" and failed to warn people in the building of the hazard.

MAH stands for Maria A. Hrynenko, the owner of 121 Second Ave., where two men died in the gas explosion on March 26.

Authorities have said that an illegally tapped gas line at 121 Second Ave. may have caused the deadly blast. The investigation continues.

During the explosion, Chongbang fell through the floor. His attorney says that Chongbang is too disabled to work and doesn't have a job to go to.

As the Daily News notes, this is the second lawsuit stemming from the explosion — and the first one involving anyone with physical injuries.

Lucie Bauermeister, 23, and Anna Ramotowska, 26, who were living several buildings away at 129 Second Ave., are suing Hrynenko, Con Ed, contractor Dilber Kukic and Hyeonil Kim, owner of Sushi Park. The roommates are each seeking $20 million. Aside from sustaining several scratches, Baumeister said she couldn’t sleep and lost her appetite after the blast and started seeing a $175-an-hour psychologist, according to the Post.

Remembering Moises Ismael Locón Yac on 2nd Avenue

[Photo Thursday by Derek Berg]

On Thursday, the family of Nicholas Figueroa, one of the two men who died in the March 26 gas explosion at 121 Second Ave., created a makeshift memorial in his honor on the plywood at the scene of the disaster.

Yesterday, East Village resident Lola Sáenz added an In Memoriam and flowers for the second victim — Moises Ismael Locón Yac …


[Photo by Lola Sáenz]

Locón worked at Sushi Park, and, according to media accounts, sent most of his paycheck back to his family in Guatemala.

Sáenz said that she did it because his family is in Guatemala, and likely wouldn't have the opportunity to do it themselves.

"He was loved," Sáenz told us. "He mattered."

She also included a copy of the painting that she said was inspired by the explosion.



"It was so sad what happened," she said. "It broke my heart."

You can read more about the painting and Sáenz's work here.

A makeshift memorial for East Village explosion victim Nicholas Figueroa on 2nd Avenue

This afternoon, the family of Nicholas Figueroa, one of the two men who died in the March 26 gas explosion at 121 Second Ave., created a makeshift memorial in his honor on the plywood at the scene of the disaster.











Figueroa's family also left the white roses yesterday on the site where 119-123 Second Ave. once stood.



Figueroa, 23, had just finished a meal with a friend at Sushi Park when the explosion occurred. Authorities have said that an illegally tapped gas line at 121 Second Ave. may have caused the deadly blast. The investigation continues.

Thank you to EVG reader Daniel for these photos

White roses remain at the site of the deadly 2nd Avenue explosion

Work appears to be done for the moment now on the empty lot that was previously home to 119 Second Ave. (aka 45 E. Seventh St.), 121 Second Ave. and 123 Second Ave.

As we're told, workers at the scene victim Nicholas Figueroa's family left behind this small monument with white roses.

Figueroa and Moises Ismael Locón Yac died in the explosion on March 26 that injured more than 20 people and left dozens of residents homeless.

Photo by Raquel Shapira

--

Here's another photo … courtesy of Ted Barron…

The Times looks into the real-estate holdings of the Hrynenko family

[2nd Avenue photo yesterday by EVG reader Daniel]

The New York Times dispatches three reporters to dig into the real-estate holdings of the Hrynenko family.

Maria Hrynenko is the landlord who owned 121 Second Ave., where a gas explosion on March 26 killed two men and injured more than 20 other people.

Per the Times:

Officials are investigating the cause, which they believe may have been a gas line being improperly tapped to supply newly renovated apartments on the floors above a sushi restaurant in the building, and an effort to cover up the misuse.

Hrynenko owns 121 and 119 Second Ave., which was also destroyed. According to the Times, she also owns 117 Second Ave., 46 E. Seventh St. and 96 Second Ave.

Here are a few passages from the article:

Ms. Hrynenko’s husband, Michael Hrynenko Sr., who died in 2004, went into real estate in the 1970s, long before the East Village was chic. The buildings he bought remain a family enterprise. But as the investigation into what went wrong has unfolded, the Hrynenkos have not spoken publicly, and few on Second Avenue seem to have known them well.

Each real estate company of which Ms. Hrynenko is now the principal seems to bear a form of her children’s names — Crystal Apartments L.L.C. for her daughter Crystal, 31; Nasher Realty Corporation may be for two daughters, Natasha, 21, and Sherry, 22. One, M.A.H. Realty L.L.C., may refer to her son, Michael A. Hrynenko, known as Mischou. Another company’s name consists of the initials of all four children’s first names.

And:

In the East Village, Ms. Hrynenko built personal relationships with some tenants. [117 Second Ave. tenant Billy] Calanca said she doled out hugs when they passed her on the street. Her office was across the street from Sushi Park, the restaurant on the ground floor of 121 Second Avenue.

Hyeonil Kim, who owned Sushi Park, recalled swapping details with Ms. Hrynenko about their personal lives, particularly the loss of her husband. “If you hear her life story in the past, you will know it is a tearful story,” he said.

But Mr. Kim also said Ms. Hrynenko was out of touch with what went on her buildings. He described her as in over her head.

You can find the article, which will appear in tomorrow's paper, here.

2nd Avenue update (April 17)

[Photo this week by Derek Berg]

The love story behind B&H Dairy (Off the Grid)

Destroyed deli cancels online fundraiser. "I feel guilty getting someone else's money," said Roop Bring, who opened Sam's Deli at 123 Second Ave. in 1997. (DNAinfo)

Alleged gas siphoning only further fuels turmoil at another EV building (The Villager)

Recap of Saturday's Small Business Crawl on Second Avenue (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Via Della Pace owners worry that without help, blast site will be a "Ghost Corner" (Bedford + Bowery)

Firefighter honored for heroics in East Village blast (Daily News)

Four East Village cats remain missing (The Villager)

The return of Standings (Vice Sports)

The "Love Saves the East Village" is an all-day benefit concert tomorrow at La Palapa on St. Mark's Place (EVG, Facebook)

"Eastville Loves the East Village: A Benefit for the Victims of the East Village Fire" on May 19 (Facebook)

... and Enz's, the longtime rockabilly boutique in one of the retail spaces at 125 Second Ave., has a new pop-up shop ... opening today at 90 Stanton St. between Ludlow and Allen...

Coming together tonight at Theatre 80 to help the victims of the 2nd Avenue explosion

[GVSHP executive director Andrew Berman speaks at a community meeting on April 1 at the William Barnacle Tavern]

Text and photos by EVG contributor Stacie Joy

Tonight's all-volunteer benefit concert for those affected by the deadly Second Avenue explosion has shaped up nicely — and very quickly.

The event is at Theatre 80 starting 8 pm, preceded by a 5 pm public rally led by local activist/artist Penny Arcade.

The sold-out concert, spearheaded by East Village-based writer Alan Kaufman and artist Jim Storm, has pulled together donations (including from Sting and Trudie Styler and Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard) and volunteers both near and far to lend support. The emcee of the event is Randy Jones of the Village People, and scheduled performers include:

Patti Smith
The Blood Oranges
Kayvon Zand
Mollie King
Edgar Oliver, poet
Chris Riffle
David Peel and The Lower East Side
Roderick Romero
Malachy McCourt, writer
Spencer Tunick, photographer
Cast of The Grindr Project
Antony Zito, artist
Pablo Lopez, singer
(Visit the Facebook event page for more details)


[Theatre 80 proprietor Lorcan Otway]

The donations raised tonight will be managed by the Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), which has aided displaced residents in the explosion's relief efforts.

The concert came together as Kaufman walked by the rubble of the three fallen buildings on Second Avenue. He wondered what he could do to help. Kaufman started talking to friends and acquaintances, and before he knew it, everyone was on board with this idea of a fundraising event. (The idea gelled during a community meeting on April 1 at the William Barnacle Tavern adjacent to Theatre 80.)

An author by trade, he seemed surprised and pleased with all the help he's received as he tries to assist others. Kaufman said he hopes to "raise money for the victims, to go to directly to restoration and recovery," and that he's "exceeded his original hopes 10 times over, money-wise." He's hopeful that people can begin to rebuild with the money raised tonight.

Starting with the 5 pm rally and continuing to the 8 pm performance, Kaufman is excited to see the community get active and help those whose lives were ruined by the tragedy … to join together in the spirit of generosity.

Theatre 80 is located at 80 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Mayor's Fund raises $125,000 in response to East Village gas explosion

[Photo yesterday by Vinny & O]

News release via the EVG inbox yesterday…

The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City today announced that $125,000 has been raised to date to support individuals and families directly affected by the Second Avenue explosion and building collapse on March 26.

The Mayor’s Fund launched a fundraising campaign on March 27 to coordinate direct financial support for those impacted by the tragedy. So far, the Mayor’s Fund has received over 350 contributions from everyday New Yorkers, totaling more than $50,000 – the majority of which were donated by individuals contributing amounts ranging from $5 to $15,000.

The total of $125,000 in pledges also includes support from corporate partners, including Con Edison, Gramercy Theatre and Irving Plaza, and Google. In response to New York City Google employees’ interest in helping those affected, Google launched a Disaster Relief Campaign that will run through the end of April. To date, Google employees and Google’s matching funds have raised over $25,000. In addition, local concert venues Irving Plaza and Gramercy Theatre will be offering patrons the option of donating to the Mayor’s Fund when purchasing tickets during the month of April. Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of these venues, has committed to matching the donations collected up to $10,000.

“It is truly characteristic of our city to join together in the face of adversity, and to show compassion and love to our fellow New Yorkers when they need it most – and these combined efforts of everyday New Yorkers and community and corporate partners are no exception,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Whether they are giving a little or giving a lot, the people of this city clearly have each other’s backs. The donations we’ve seen in recent days prove yet again that a tragedy that affects some New Yorkers touches us all.”

Read the full news release here.

Reminders: Small Biz Crawl is today at noon

... and recent additions include stops at Via Della Pace, San Marzano and ... the Enz's pop-up shop at 103 Allen St. (Enz's is currently displaced from their longtime home at 125 Second Ave.)

Find more details about the Small Biz Crawl at the Facebook event page. Click here to print out signs — and to find out more about #SaveNYC.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that B&H will be open for the event... the diner was locked up yesterday...


[Photo via Derek Berg]

... and here's a peek through the door on Wednesday... looks to be in good shape...


[DB]

B&H posted this on Facebook early this morning….



Several sources on the block have said that B&H will likely return by Wednesday...

Also... Standings, Burp Castle and Jimmy's No. 43 reopened last night at 41-43 East Seventh St. just west of Second Avenue.

Explosion stories: East Village business owners bond, and look to an uncertain future

[Photo from East 7th Street today via Vinny & O]

Representatives from nearly a dozen East Village businesses that were either destroyed or damaged in the deadly gas explosion on Second Avenue on March 26 met this morning to offer support and advice ... and talk about the future.

Here is some coverage from The New York Times:

Tarun Kundu’s nearly 20-year-old copy shop, tucked around the corner, at 45 East 7th Street, was crushed when the building it occupied, 119 Second Avenue, came toppling down.

“I have nothing, in my store is everything,” said Mr. Kundu, a Bangladeshi immigrant who has three daughters and lives in Woodside, Queens.

And...

“We’re alive,” said Roop Bring, the owner of Sam’s Deli, a bodega that operated for decades on the ground floor of 123 Second Avenue ... before being destroyed as a result of the explosion, which, according to the authorities, erupted in the basement next door, at 121 Second Avenue. “That’s what important.”

DNAinfo, WPIX and Bedford + Bowery also provided coverage of the meeting held at Café Mocha.