City looking for feedback about the Open Street of Avenue B

Since the spring of 2020, the Avenue B Open Street has hosted a variety of free events, including art shows, musical performances, theater, fashion events and exercise classes. 

The citywide Open Streets program was designed to ease the isolation of the pandemic by expanding outdoor public spaces. 

The Department of Transportation is seeking feedback on the Avenue B corridor, where activities take place between Sixth Street and 14th Street. 

NYC DOT has been conducting community outreach to better understand how the Avenue B Open Street is used, and how the community wants to see these corridors used in the future. 

NYC DOT is currently collecting feedback from the community for a design proposal for the Avenue B Open Street. Members of the community are invited to review the design proposal materials ... 

Here's a look at a preliminary concept...

The biggest proposed changes would occur between Seventh Street and 10th Street, which will better prioritize pedestrians and cyclists, expand public space and add amenities. Specifically, Avenue B between Eighth Street and Ninth Street would be a pedestrian plaza, with "dedicated space for programming, markets and more." 

You can find the feedback form at this link. And go here for the design proposal. Tomorrow (Sept. 30) is the deadline to submit your feedback. 

The Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition is the DOT's community partner and volunteer group overseeing the Open Street of Avenue B. 

Photo via @loisaida_oscc

May 1 on Avenue B

There seemed to be a lot going on along Avenue B on Sunday... religious processions... May Day celebrations... Maypole dances... EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos from along the Open Street...

Saturday's parting shot

A scene from the Car Free Earth Day activities on Avenue B today... photo by Derek Berg...

Letter perfect: City makes the MPH right on 2nd attempt

As noted, back on Thursday, city workers put down the roadside markings on the recently repaved Avenue B.

Unfortunately, as the top pic showed, workers transposed MHP-MPH along the Avenue's school zones.

However, as of this morning, the MHP-MPH has been corrected, as Vinny & O point out... 

Now, if the city will do something about the idling delivery trucks here... 

Thanks to Vinny & O for the top photo!

On Avenue B, we're seeing firsthand what happens when the city disbands the DOT proofreaders

Updated 12/20: The city has fixed the MHP-MPH errors!

On Thursday, city workers put down the roadside markings on the recently repaved Avenue B.

EVG reader Krikor Daglian first pointed out the transposed letters in MPH < MHP.

Vinny & O (and several others!) then pointed out that the MHP is on the entire length of the Avenue, from Houston to 14th ...

Perhaps the DTO DOT intends this to mean Minimum Horse Power. (H/T John G. for that one!)

Paving the night away

City-contracted crews last night finished paving Avenue B from midblock between Fourth and Fifth down to Houston. 

EVG Milling & Paving Correspondent Stacie Joy captured what no one just yet is referring to as "the Social Event of the Fall."

The crews completed the work by midnight.

H/T Salim for the live-tweeting!

Will tonight B the night that the city finishes paving Avenue B?

OK, just to see this one out... the city is expected to finish paving the milled Avenue B this evening/overnight (a job started on Tuesday).

The new pavement ends randomly in the middle of B between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. 

Also, EV Arrow points out what you may have already noticed through the years — the Kate's Joint flag still flies high (sort of) at 58 Avenue B...

The vegetarian cafe closed in Aprii 2012.

Paving party tonight on Avenue B

Tow-away notices are now posted (as of last night) along Avenue B ahead of the repaving party on Avenue B ... happening tonight and tomorrow night (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) from Houston to 14th Street. 

Workers milled Avenue B back on Oct. 18-19. 

Thanks to the East Village Community Coalition for the pic!

This week in milling & paving with your host...

Crews working for the DOT milled Avenue B — from Houston to 14th Street — early this past week. 

Enjoy this fresh-milled look and feel while you can. 

According to the DOT website, workers are expected to start paving the roadway on Friday night...

Milling time for Avenue B moved to Monday-Tuesday

A quickie update on yesterday's post... the DOT has pushed the weekend milling planned for Avenue B to Monday and Tuesday evenings now. 

Also! Clinton Street between Houston and Delancey is also in for a milling, per the DOT website.

[Updated] It's milling time for Avenue B

Signs are now posted along Avenue B ... noting (warning?) that DOT contractors will be milling — "the process of grinding off the top layer of asphalt or surface of a roadway" from Houston to 14th Street.

Signs note (warn?) that the work will occur from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. tonight and tomorrow. 

The city milled Avenue C in early June. That roadway stayed in a fillings-rattling state until late July. Hopefully, Avenue B can be repaved more quickly than 7 weeks.

Thanks to Dave on 7th for the pic!

Updated 11:30 a.m. 

Speaking of Dave on 7th... he notes that the milling machine lurks nearby...

Updated 10/16 

The milling has been moved back to Monday and Tuesday... also, Clinton Street between Houston and Delancey is also in for a milling...

Farewell to the locksmith-CBD shop on Avenue B

A for-rent sign now hangs on the storefront at 8-10 Avenue B...  bringing an official end to Top Notch Locksmith & Security's time on the block. (Thanks to Salim for the photo!)

The business arrived here between Houston and Second Street in early 2014. At some point, Top Notch expanded into the CBD arena (or at least they rented part of the space to someone else). As for locksmith services, one EVG reader said they stopped making keys during the pandemic.

Previously, M&M Variety Hardware was in this storefront for nearly 60 years.

About the No_B Fest on Avenue B tomorrow (Saturday!)

Avenue B between 13th Street and 14th Street will be the place to be tomorrow for a community event to highlight the work of local artists. 

The No_B Fest will offer up an array of live music, art, poetry and theater on the Avenue from 4 to 8 p.m. 

Participating businesses including the Roost, Revision Lounge and Mona's, whose bartender (and photographer extraordinaire) Aidan Grant helped organize this event. 

And some info via the EVG inbox...

From street art to photography the block will be part gallery, part stage and part dance. 

A raffle and auction will allow anyone to win the artwork. All proceeds will go directly into the pockets of the participating musicians. 

Overall it's a desire to once again light up the foundation these artists built careers on and inspire the power of community collaboration.

Saturday's parting shot

A scene from the LES Culture & Community Day on Avenue B today ... photo by Derek Berg...

It's LES Culture & Community Day on Avenue B

The LES Culture & Community Day is happening (today!) from 2-6 p.m. on Avenue B between Eighth Street and Ninth Street. 

A few details via the EVG inbox:

Organized with love by the Lower East Side Community Culture Council with FABnyc. An afternoon of art, performance, song, spoken word, and a neighborhood open photo album; activities for all ages.

Check out this link for details on the activities and a schedule of events. 

Hosted in collaboration with the Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition.

A bike ride for a safer Avenue B-Clinton Street

Some local residents are coming together tomorrow (Monday!) morning to rally for a Safer Avenue B/Clinton Street for cyclists and pedestrians. 

As bike advocates have noted, too many vehicles are speeding on Clinton Street and blocking the bike lane.

Here are details about tomorrow via the EVG inbox... (and local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera is said to be joining the ride)...

Monday, May 24 at 7:30 a.m. Clinton Street and Grand Street, southwest corner next to the Citi Bike station. We'll ride up north on Clinton Street and continue on Avenue B. Stop in front of Councilmember Carlina Rivera's office on Fourth Street for a few words and then continue to the schools in time for the 8:30 a.m. start time Wear yellow shirts so we are visible. (School spirit shirts preferable.)

Advocates had previously asked for protected bike lanes on Avenue B.

In late April, City Council voted on the bill that Rivera introduced to make the Open Streets program permanent. (Mayor de Blasio later signed off on it.) 

Avenue B between Sixth Street and 14th Street is part of the Open Streets program, hosted locally by the Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition.  

Open Culture on the Open Streets of Avenue B

Tomorrow (Saturday!), several community groups and artists are coming together for Open Culture, an afternoon "to lounge, listen to music and help draw a giant street mural with tape artist Kuki." 

This is happening from 1-5 p.m. on Avenue B between Eighth Street and Ninth Street.

On the runway along Avenue B

Photos by Stacie Joy 

On Sunday afternoon, more than two dozen local artists, designers and merchants came together for the Ave B Eco-Friendly Fashion Show... featuring upcycled and vintage clothing on Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Loisaida Open Streets and the East Village Community Coalition sponsored the event.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos from along the runroadway .... showing the array of creative and wearable art looks... (click on the images for more detail)...