The SE corner of Avenue C and 3rd Street is now sidewalk-bridge free after 8-plus years

When we last checked in on 32 Avenue C, workers had demolished the three-floor building here on the southeast corner of Avenue C. 

In early November, only the sidewalk bridge and assorted scaffolding remained. Now, as you can see, the sidewalk is back in view... and plywood surrounds the empty lot...

As previously reported, there were work permits to "partially demolish the building," specifically the "second, third and roof floors." Apparently, workers decided to take down the first floor too. 

And as previously noted, there were development plans for this parcel... with the filing of permits with the city in July 2005 for a new 6-floor residential building. The city disapproved the plans in May 2006, and nothing more happened with the project. 

Years later, the landlord filed a permit in the fall of 2017 with the DOB to "rebuild exterior walls; replace windows and sistering of floor joists to address" the various violations on file. 

Public records list the landlord as Abraham Benelyahou of Fairfax Management Corp. In 2014, the Daily News referred to him as "Manhattan's worst landlord." 

Residents have long complained about the drug activity on this corner. This past Jan. 18, a 36-year-old man was shot and killed here. For several months after this, the NYPD parked a patrol car nearby. 

Meanwhile, there aren't any other new permits on file with the city offering a clue as to what might be next for the corner. At least the sidewalk bridge that has stood in various states of disrepair for the past eight-plus years is gone.

32 Avenue C has been demolished

As you may have noticed over on the southwest corner of Third Street and Avenue C, the crumbling three-story building that stood here has been demolished ... right down to the pit...

And a look through the blogger portal...

In our last report from here at 32 Avenue C, we noted the recently issued work permits to "partially demolish the building," specifically the "second, third and roof floors." 

Apparently, workers decided to take down the first floor too. There aren't any other new permits on file with the city offering a clue as to what might be next for the corner.

And as previously noted, there were development plans for this parcel... with the filing of permits with the city in July 2005 for a new 6-floor residential building. The city disapproved the plans in May 2006, and nothing more happened with the project.

Years later, the landlord filed a permit in the fall of 2017 with the DOB to "rebuild exterior walls; replace windows and sistering of floor joists to address" the various violations on file.

Public records list the landlord as Abraham Benelyahou of Fairfax Management Corp. In 2014, the Daily News referred to him as "Manhattan's worst landlord."

Residents have long complained about the drug activity on this corner. This past Jan. 18, a 36-year-old man was shot and killed here. For several months after this, the NYPD parked a patrol car nearby. 

Meanwhile, the sidewalk bridge has stood in various states of disrepair for the past eight-plus years. 

32 Avenue C is now shorter

Several readers have pointed out the demolition on the southeast corner of Avenue C and Third Street... where the long-empty three-story building (32 Avenue C) is now down to one level...   

Once upon a time, there were development plans for this parcel... with the filing of permits with the city in July 2005 for a new 6-floor residential building. The city disapproved the plans in May 2006, and nothing more happened with the project... and the building sat in disrepair.

Years later, the landlord filed a permit in the fall of 2017 with the DOB to "rebuild exterior walls; replace windows and sistering of floor joists to address" the various violations on file.

And now — several years after the initial repair work? According to recently issued work permits, plans call to "partially demolish the building" ... specifically the "second, third and roof floors." It wouldn't be entirely surprising if there are new permits filed one of these days to add a second and third floor.

Public records list the landlord as Abraham Benelyahou of Fairfax Management Corp. In 2014, the Daily News referred to him as "Manhattan's worst landlord."

As previously reported, residents have long complained about the drug activity on this corner. On Jan. 18, a 36-year-old man was shot and killed here. Since then, the NYPD has parked a patrol car nearby. (A vehicle from the 9th Precinct was on Third Street at the time of this photo mid-Sunday morning.)

The sidewalk bridge has helped give cover to any activity here... for the past eight-plus years. 

More scaffolding — and now demolition — for this troubled Avenue C corner

An EVG reader shared these photos from yesterday at the southeast corner of Avenue C and Third Street:

"Activity at the corner again. At first, it sounded like they were finally taking down the sidewalk shed, but they're actually putting up additional barriers and appear to be readying for construction work of some kind."

As previously reported, residents have long complained about the drug activity on this corner. On Jan. 18, a 36-year-old man was shot and killed here. According to published reports, the man was shot multiple times around 8:40 p.m. Since then, the NYPD has parked a patrol car here.

The sidewalk bridge has helped give cover to any activity here... for the past eight-plus years. 

At one point, there were plans for this corner... with the filing of permits with the city in July 2005 for a new 6-floor residential building here. The city disapproved the plans in May 2006, and nothing more happened with the project.

However, the landlord filed a permit in the fall of 2017 with the DOB to "rebuild exterior walls; replace windows and sistering of floor joists to address" the various violations on file.

And now — several years after the initial repair work? According to newly issued work permits, there are plans to "partially demolish the building." In January, there was a permit — since withdrawn — to demolish the building's "second, third and roof floors." 

Public records list the landlord as Abraham Benelyahou of Fairfax Management Corp. In 2014, the Daily News referred to him as "Manhattan's worst landlord."

[Via Google in 2010]

NYPD reps to brief Community Board 3 on the activity around 3rd Street and Avenue C

Tonight, Community Board 3's Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee will hear from reps from PSA 4, who patrol public housing, and the 9th Precinct about "public safety issues in the Avenue C/Third Street area."

On Jan. 18, a 36-year-old man was shot and killed here. According to published reports, the man was shot multiple times around 8:40 p.m. The Post reported that three men were seen fleeing westbound on Third Street.

Since then, an NYPD vehicle has been parked on the corner.

Residents have long complained about the drug activity on the southeast corner of Avenue C and Third Street, which has been under a sidewalk bridge now for more than eight years. (The renovations to the three-story building, 32 Avenue C, came to a halt in recent years. A full vacate and stop-work order remain at the address.)

In August 2019, residents posted these flyers on buildings in the immediate area... asking tenants to reach out to the NYPD and local elected officials about the "drugs and hookers at the homeless camp" on the corner...

Tonight's virtual meeting starts at 6:30. The Zoom invite is here. 

Visit the CB3 website at this link for more details on all this month's CB3 meetings. Tomorrow night, the NYCHA & Section 8 Housing Subcommittee will discuss the conditions at the nearby Mariana Bracetti Plaza housing complex.

Report: Man shot and killed last night on Avenue C and 3rd Street

Police are investigating a fatal shooting last night on the southeast corner of Avenue C and Third Street. 

According to published reports, a 36-year-old man was shot multiple times around 8:40 p.m. 

The Post reported that three men were seen fleeing westbound on Third Street. Witnesses also said that the victim had been on a bike.

Residents have long complained about the drug activity on this corner, which has been under a sidewalk bridge now for more than eight years. 

The renovations to the three-story building, 32 Avenue C, came to a halt in recent years. A full vacate and stop-work order remain at the address. 

Actual renovation work continues at the long-dormant 32 Avenue C

[EVG photo from March 2012]

As you may have noticed this fall (going back to September), there's actual renovation work going on over at 32 Avenue C, the three-level building on the southeast corner at Third Street... these next two photos are from the weekend...





The building has sat in disrepair, surrounded by a sidewalk bridge for the past six-plus years. A full-vacate order has been in place since August 2012. To paraphrase the DOB, the building is leaning/sagging.

At one point, there were plans for this corner... with the filing of permits with the city in July 2005 for a new 6-floor residential building here. The city disapproved the plans in May 2006, and nothing more happened with the project.

Some 32 Avenue C watchers (you just missed our Cyber Monday sale) felt as if the owner — listed as Fairfax Management — would let the property rot away to the point demolition was the only option.

However, the landlords filed a permit last fall with the DOB to "rebuild exterior walls; replace windows and sistering of floor joists to address" the various violations on file.

No word yet on what the plans are for the renovated retail-residential space.

Previously on EV Grieve:
There's activity at the long-dormant corner of Avenue C and East 3rd Street

Concern for 32 Avenue C


[Via Google in 2010]

Corner watch: 32 Avenue C

The sidewalk bridge on the southeast corner of Avenue C and Third Street (aka 32 Avenue C) celebrated its six-year anniversary last month...



A full-vacate order has been in place since August 2012. To paraphrase the DOB, the building is leaning/sagging.

At one point, there were plans for this corner... with the filing of permits with the city in July 2005 for a new 6-floor residential building here. The city disapproved the plans in May 2006, and nothing more happened with the project.

Most recently, the owner — listed as Fairfax Management — filed a permit last fall with the DOB to "rebuild exterior walls; replace windows and sistering of floor joists to address" the various violations on file. The city disapproved this plan on March 14.

Previously on EV Grieve:
There's activity at the long-dormant corner of Avenue C and East 3rd Street

Concern for 32 Avenue C


[EVG photo from March 2012]

There's activity at the long-dormant corner of Avenue C and East 3rd Street

[EVG file photo]

Looks as if something is finally going to happen with the empty buildings on the southeast corner of Avenue C and Third Street.

As we've noted, there has been a full vacate order on 32 Avenue C at East Third Street since August 2012. The building is in disrepair, and will eventually be demolished — along with everything to (and including) 26 Avenue C (the former Impulse Footwear), according to various tipsters.

Plans were filed with the city in July 2005 for a new 6-floor residential building here. The city disapproved the plans in May 2006, and nothing more happened with the project.

On Monday, plans were filed for another heavy duty sidewalk shed here. More important, someone filed plans through the city's Hub self-service thing (where architects and engineers "can professionally certify plans for small construction projects without visiting a Department office").

So, unfortunately, we won't be able to see the application until it is accepted into the DOB system. So for now, we don't know what is in store for this space.

Meanwhile, Maria's Cafe has had to leave its longtime corner stand. (Maria left in January, but returned in April for weekend-only business.)

For now, she will be selling her empanadas and coffee from a cart across the street in front of the Capitol One branch.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Maria's Cafe is leaving the East Village for West Harlem

Concern for 32 Avenue C

Concern for 32 Avenue C

The southeast corner of Avenue C and East Third Street (aka 32 Avenue C) has been on my endangered list for some time... in March, when I took the photos below, the sidewalk bridge arrived along with a scary DOB message: "THE FACADE OF THE BUILDING IS CAVING IN; COMMERCIAL BUILDING; BUILDING NEEDS TO BE VACATED"

Yesterday, the city hit the building with a full vacate order... EVG reader Bobby L., and a neighbor of No. 32, said that the city made everyone here leave ("thrown out" was his term) yesterday morning at 10... a group that included the upstairs tenants, the East Village Deli and the Perfection Barber Shop...

... among other things, this vacate order means the closure of Maria's, the tiny streetside stand with delicious, inexpensive food and homemade signs...

[Via]

A neighborhood place for neighborhood people not interested in standing in line for heritage pork and craft beer at buzzy places ...

[EVG reader Andrew]

[EVG reader Andrew]

I'd be surprised to think that the landlord (listed at the DOB as "Fairfax Management Corp.") would pay for any extensive repairs here ... the land is far too valuable to allow for neighborhood places like this to exist... Still, no official word from the city, just, as the sign says, "reentry is prohibited until such conditions have been eliminated to the satisfaction of the department."

[Google]

Thanks to EVG reader Andrew for passing along the tip that the city had issued the vacate orders...