[Updated] Questions and concerns as the sanitation department begins using 10th Street to park garbage trucks

Community Board 3 officials learned last Thursday during a committee meeting that the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will use part of 10th Street west of First Avenue to park garbage trucks.

By Saturday, new street signs had arrived [per a resident, the signs arrived a few weeks back. See comments], restricting the parking on part of 10th Street west toward Second Avenue to the Department of Sanitation. The trucks arrived on Saturday as well.


[Top two photos by Steven]


[Photo from Saturday]

Everyone was seemingly caught off guard by this parking development, including the Community Board, local business owners and residents.

"There was no discussion or outreach. We are still gathering information on this issue," Trever Holland, chair of CB3's Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront Committee, told me via email. "Most of the questions we asked went unanswered or [the DSNY said] 'we'll get back to you.'"

The DSNY no longer has use of their garage at 606 W. 30th St., and are relocating their fleet elsewhere, including 10th Street and at Pier 36. None of these trucks will be servicing residents within Community Board 3.

"We have very little information from the DSNY, but many, many complaints," CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer said yesterday. "I have never before received so many complaints in such a short time."

In an email, one EVG reader noted: "Over the weekend, three stinky garbage trucks were parked on the block. It was like a wall of stench in front of Pinks and across from Snowdays and Tarallucci e Vino."

Pinks, the bar-restaurant at 242 E. 10th St., is the business most directly impacted by the arrival of the parked trucks.



"I can firmly attest to the fact that Saturday evening the corner of 10th Street and First Avenue is jammed with people, and at that time on Saturdays, Pinks typically has a nice dinner and drinking crowd," said Alex Sassaris, an owner who also bartends on the weekends. "This past Saturday during the same time the bar was practically empty.

"Keep in mind we are a food-service establishment, with the cellar door just a few feet a way from a truck filled with garbage — that's certainly a potential rodent nightmare on our hands."



Rodent potential aside, Sassaris said the trucks parked in front of the bar also present a possible security issue.

"[We are] obstructed from the view of 9th Precinct patrols," he said. "This poses a substantial danger to our patrons and staff for any number of potential threats ... if the police can not have eyes on the bar from the street."


[Image from security footage at Pinks]

Before Theater for the New City moved into its current home at 155 First Ave. near 10th Street in the late 1980s, the Department of Sanitation used the building for storage. As Off the Grid noted in a 2012 feature, "When the Theater for the New City purchased the former First Avenue Retail Market building there was stipulation that they had to still share part of the space with the Sanitation Department for a time."

Apparently there are still facilities for the city to use in the building. According to last week's CB3 committee meeting agenda, Department of Sanitation officials were on-hand to discuss a "reactivation of Section Station at 155-157 First Ave."

It's not immediately clear how long the city plans to park garbage trucks on 10th Street. According to CB3's Holland, sanitation officials said that it will be "temporary" — like five years or longer until they secure a new spot.

"If this is allowed to continue, our business is certainly in jeopardy and all the people we employ could potentially be out of a job," Sassaris said.

--

Updated 9/19

Here's an update from CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer this morning:

I also want to thank the readers who posted information about the trucks. The CB number posted in the comments is not correct — it is a defunct fax number. However, it is not productive to call — we would be doing nothing but answering the phones. Do call 311 and also do submit a "make a complaint" form on the CB website. At this point it would be good to submit only if new information. For example, we just got a complaint through the website that there are now trucks also parking in areas not reserved for the trucks.

CB 3, CB 6 and the council office were informed of this decision shortly before it happened, with little information, and with no input or choice. However, we will be working together to try to have a better resolution.

10th Street road restoration continues this week

The 10th Street (accelerated) water main replacement project work is continuing this week between Avenue A and First Avenue... as these photos from EVG (Accelerated) Water Main Replacement Project correspondent Daniel show...







According to the Weekly Construction Bulletin (PDF here), this week marks the "final restoration of the roadway."

Closures on East 10th Street: Cafe Silan and Spirit and Matter

Two closures to note at 280 E. 10th St. near Avenue A.

Cafe Silan has closed. The cafe, which served a variety of coffee and house-made pastries with natural sweeteners (like silan, a Middle-Eastern date paste), opened in late 2014. We didn't hear any reason for the closure. It was a nice spot, and owner Guy Jacobovitz and his staff were always friendly.

Next door, the eclectic gallery/shop Spirit and Matter, which specialized in antique tribal art and folk art, has also closed...



We hear that the owner's wife has plans for a new shop in the space.

In more positive news at 280 E. 10th St., Thirstea is celebrating its eighth anniversary this week...


[Photo from April by Stacie Joy]

You can read our interview with co-owner Winn O’Donnell here.

The 44th annual East 10th Street Block Fair is today

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on that nice block go East 10th Street between Third Avenue and Second Avenue… featuring antiques, collectibles, food, music and likely no tube socks.

Part of the former Life Cafe now for rent

Last we heard, the East 10th Street outpost of 9th Street Espresso was planning on moving next door into part of the former Life Cafe space near Avenue B. (Maiden Lane is in the other space that made up Life.)

Apparently that's no longer a go: There's now a for lease sign via Tower Brokerage on the front window. (We didn't spot the listing online yet.)

Aside from coffee, 9th Street Espresso owner Ken Nye said that he would offer three craft beers on tap with a 11 p.m. closing time. (CB3 OK'd the license in June 2012.)

Life Cafe closed here on Sept. 11, 2011.

H/T EVG reader Russell for the photo!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Here's what's coming to the former Life Cafe space

After 30 years, Life Cafe closes — 'until further notice' — in the East Village

Cleaning out the second half of the former Life Cafe

Well blow me down

For some reason there is a tent on the roof of the building housing Tarallucci E Vino on the northwest corner of 10th Street and First Avenue.

Anyway, the tent is now on the sidewalk below this afternoon thanks to a nice gust of wind...



Steven Hirsch, who took this photo, says that no one was injured… Police are on the scene.

Let's look at a timeless parlor home on East 10th Street

Over on that fine stretch of East 10th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue, a parlor apartment at No. 102 is now on the market as a rental.

Here's the listing via Core:

Originally constructed in 1836 by Peter Stuyvesant, this delightful 1,250-square-foot, 2-bedroom parlor and English basement duplex is bright, serene and well-cared for.

Offering 10-foot ceilings on the parlor floor and 8-foot wood-beamed ceilings below, this home exudes charm and a delightful sense of spaciousness. Wide-plank hardwood floors and four original fireplaces (three decorative and one wood-burning) provide a timeless quality to this tasteful home. The bedrooms are located on the quiet lower floor and are both spacious and warm. The master bedroom features an en-suite bath, washer/dryer and a private entrance to the charming 275-square-foot garden/terrace.

Asking monthly rent: $7,500.

A painting-perfect day

East 10th Street near Avenue A this afternoon… via Bobby Williams

East 10th Street (mini) sinkhole no longer sinking, probably

[Yesterday, start of the journey to the center of the Earth]

Late yesterday afternoon, a local website breathlessly reported on a "sinkhole" opening up on East 10th Street right by the Tompkins Square Library branch…

While we weren't able to swing by for a factual update today (to be honest, it wasn't happy hour) … an EVG reader passed along these photos showing what has happened here between Avenue A and Avenue B …

Later yesterday!







Today!



So all is well… though you may not want to walk on the plate on the street with flip-flops or anything else that easily melts…

[Updated] Sinkhole opens up on East 10th Street

Around 4:45, some passersby flagged down an NYPD cruiser … seems as if a sinkhole just opened right up … much to the excitement of some of the teens standing nearby…



Not likely coincidentally … this is almost the exact spot between Avenue A and Avenue B where Con Ed was called in on Wednesday morning…


[Photo by EVG reader John]

… Con Ed blocked off this street for part of the morning.


[Photo by William Klayer]


[WK]

Not sure what is going on … We hate to speculate, but it's totally a volcano … watch Tommy Lee Jones in action. It may save your life.



Updated 5:20 p.m.

Oh, it's fixed!


[Photo by Fashionby He]

Haha. Just temporary waiting for Con Ed! Or someone! Anyone? Hello??

Noted

Apparently East 10th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A is flowing green at the moment, as this photo by @FashionByHe shows... not sure why at the moment.

Perhaps there was a spill at one of the two Juice Press locations on East 10th Street... the sight of this lends some credence to the theory...

Reader report: Film crew makes woman in walker use sidewalk on other side of East 10th St.

There are some annoyed residents along East 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B this morning… While residents mostly try to be accommodating to the endless film shoots around the neighborhood, Jose Garcia notes this small crew crossed a line this morning.

"These clowns, who could not or would not say whether they have a permit, made the woman pictured WHO IS USING A WALKER, cross the street so they wouldn’t have to interrupt their precious work. They also asked the parks people to stop raking."

"We were not as polite as we normally might have been once they harassed the woman WHO IS USING A WALKER and bullied her into crossing the street. Happy Saturday everyone!"

Updated 12:15
Apparently the crew is filming a scene for a movie called "Little Galicia."

A resident on this block was told that the crew was from "Little Galicia." This is NOT true. The locations manager wrote in to say that they had proper permits from the Mayor's Office of Film Theater and Broadcasting, "and would NEVER allow our crew to stop an elderly woman from crossing the street during filming." They were shooting at 253 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and 1st Avenue on Friday.

A tree pit grows on East 10th Street

Just noting some work on East 10th Street between Avenue B and Avenue D...



... workers have been expanding the tree pits ...





Top photos via Bobby Williams...


[Via Fashion by He]

Updated: See the comments for an explanation about this...

An 'especially dramatic' retail opportunity for Fourth Avenue

Last month, plans emerged about developing the long empty space on East 10th Street and Fourth Avenue. The Massey Knakal listing notes that "plans exist for a nine story mixed-use building with 8 floor through apartments and a bi-level retail space with double height ceilings."

And now the retail portion of the potential development is on the books. Per the Massey Knakal listing:

This prominient corner retail space will be located on the southeast corner of Fourth Avenue and East 10th Street. Currently, the site is under construction, and the anticipated possession date will be one and a half to two years from now. The site also provides an exceptional opportunity, which could accommodate a variety of uses. The space will house over 2,600 square feet of column-free space on the ground floor and over 3,500 square feet on the lower level. The lower level will also feature partial double-height ceilings, making the space especially dramatic.

No word on the asking rent for the retail space. But! The price for the lot is $24 million.

'Retail space available' at former East 10th Street laundromat

The laundromat (Chow & Lam Corp.) at 204 E. 10th St. near Second Avenue closed last month — victim of a large rent increase.

A "retail space available" sign went up on Monday, as this photo by Blue Glass shows...



We waited to post to see if we could get the new asking rent. However, we have not heard what that rent will be just yet.

Mimi opened the Laundromat with her husband Peter, who passed away in May 2000. Her son Antony worked by her side during this time as well.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rent hike KOs East 10th Street laundromat

Any info on the 'ultra loud sex noises' on East 10th Street last night?

A reader left the following comment:

Can anyone talk about the ultra loud sex noises on east 10th btw 1st/A last night? it was super strange. did anyone else hear/witness?

Well?

[Image via random clip art]

An update on the laundromat closing on East 10th Street

Earlier in the week, a reader said that today marked the last day for the laundromat at 204 E. 10th St. near Second Avenue... (closing due to a large rent increase)...

This is not the case. Here is updated information from another reader:

"They have stopped accepting dry cleaning and hand pressed shirts. They will stop accepting laundry for service on Friday 3/22. They will not close until the following week. During those last days customers will be able to pick up as the Laundromat is cleared."

Actress Jennifer Esposito's Jennifer's Way Bakery opening soon on East 10th Street

Workers are putting the finishing touches on Jennifer's Way Bakery on East 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue. (It's right next door to Quintessence.)

This will be the first store for Jennifer Esposito, the Brooklyn-born actress who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2009. (Her acting credits include "Summer of Sam" and "Crash.")

She has said that she was booted from CBS' "Blue Bloods" because of a misunderstanding of her limitations due to her celiac disease diagnosis. She has been selling her gluten-free products online.

Here's more about the store in a blog post from Jan. 21:

I’m happy to say Jennifer’s Way Bakery is ALMOST here. A gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, soy free, peanut free, allergy friendly, organic bakery that will be a SAFE ZONE and the CELIAC STANDARD for gluten free baked goods. I’m going to also make it a center for information about this disease, and a place to find understanding and support. To say its been a TON of work would be an understatement.

Besides hand-picking every last detail, even sanding the refurbished wood in the store myself, I have spent days upon days researching the SAFEST, cleanest, purest, organic, non GMO, local ingredients I could find. I WILL NOT bake with anything less. DO you want to know why? Because as a celiac, a severe allergy ridden one, I have learned that whole, clean, HEALTHY foods is what my body needs to function. So I’ve used my own savings to make this dream spot happen not only for me but for so many like me.

[Via Jennifer's Way]

Open hydrants on East 10th Street

The FDNY responded to a call a few minutes ago on East 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B... everything seems to be OK... firefighters came and went fairly quickly, per witnesses ... here's a photo from the scene via @af ...

More about Graffiti Me opening soon on East 10th Street

As we first reported on Sept. 4, Graffiti was taking over the former bridal shop next door to its small restaurant on East 10th Street. Grub Street got more details about the new space, called Graffiti Me, from chef-owner Jehangir Mehta:

The space won't be an extension of Graffiti — they'll have separate entrances, kitchens, and menus. Like Graffiti, the new one has fourteen seats, here in the form of a communal table. Taking advantage of this setup, the chef hopes to offer the space for customizable private dining. "If you've caught a fish, you can bring it to us, and we'll create a five-course meal from it," he said. "Or if you have a special bottle of wine, we can match a menu to it."