Showing posts with label Eighth Street. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eighth Street. Show all posts

Thursday, August 17, 2017

[Updated] Report: Anger over Confederate flags on 8th Street and Avenue D

Several flags drape the windows of an apartment on the top floor of a building on Eighth Street and Avenue D.

There are two Confederate flags, several Israeli flags and what appears to be an American flag with 13 stars...



The Post reports that the flags have been hanging in the windows for several months. (Updated: The Daily News says that the flags have been there for a year.) However, after the weekend's deadly violence that erupted at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., people are now taking notice of these flags.

According to the Post, people threw "rocks and bricks" at the windows yesterday.

“They’re scary, we don’t know who we are dealing with in the neighborhood. I feel uncomfortable because that represents evil. I see the protests in the news and I come home and see this,” said local Louise Abddhal, 56, as a chorus of others yelled at the window.

Residents had turned a blind eye to the offensive banners in the past, but started getting mad after Saturday’s rally in Charlottesville ...

“It’s been there forever and no one said anything. Now it’s going crazy. Virginia is bringing more light and attention too,” said longtime resident Janet Brown.

At night, the flags are illuminated in the windows.

Buzzfeed Senior Editor Matt Stopera tweeted this Saturday night...


Police responded to the rock tossing, though no arrests were made, the Post reported.

Updated 5:25 a.m.

The Daily News filed a story overnight about the flags. The also posted a video showing a man on the corner throwing throws at the sixth-floor windows.

Last night around 11, police had blocked off the area outside the building and were attempting to speak with the tenant. (The Post reported that the leasing agent had reached out to the tenant as well.)

"We don’t want a riot here," Michael Schweinsburg, the Eight B C D Block Association president, told the News.

Schweinsberg said he hoped that the cops can convince the tenant to take down the flags — for the sake of the neighborhood.

“The cops went up there, there was absolutely no response to repeated knocks on the door,” he added. “So the idea now is that they’re going to reach out to the landlord and ask for something to be hung from the roof to cover it up. That way hopefully he will communicate.”

The NYPD said that they will keep a patrol car on the scene "to monitor the situation."


[Photo from last night at 7:30]

Updated 10:30 a.m.

The Daily Beast has more details, including that the tenant has lived in the building for 12 years.

The flags, according to several neighbors who know their owner, might be as much a product of mental illness as they are of racism.

The apartment building’s superintendent Ruben Vargas told The Daily Beast that the flags have been up for five months.

Until then, the tenant had been a building nuisance. Two neighbors were scared of him, Vargas said, and a third had moved out “because he goes off on a rampage inside the apartment throwing things around.” Multiple people described the tenant as mentally ill.

“Some days he’s talking to you, then you see him again and he’s out cursing and saying racist words. ‘Heil Hitler,’ all these things,” Vargas said.

Updated 11:30 a.m.

Here's a statement from City Councilmember Rosie Mendez...

Recently, I was made aware that confederate flags were hung in the windows of an apartment building in my district. It saddens me that a symbol of hate and oppression would be displayed in my district — a multi-ethnic district that is comprised of and embraces its racial and economic diversity. More troubling is that these flags remain in display after the tragic and fatal events that occurred in Charlottesville this weekend.

I am concerned as I am hearing that local community residents are upset by the display and are taking some matters into their own hands. There have been reports made to my office of counter actions taking place at the residence that are alarming and illegal. You can voice your displeasure, but you cannot throw objects at the windows, to the building or block anyone’s entrance or exit to the building.

While this display may be offensive to many of us, please know that each and every one of us has rights and protections under the United States Constitution. We all have a First Amendment Right to Free Speech. Displaying a flag, in and of itself, is not illegal and there are no legal actions that can be taken to have this individual remove the flags from his/her windows.

However, there are limitations to our First Amendment Right to Free Speech and if this individual steps outside of those limitations, then local law enforcement can take the next necessary steps.

I want to remind everyone that this is a multiple dwelling building. Many other individuals, families with children, live in this building and are probably equally offended by the display. I ask that you please respect and support your neighbors who reside in this building and who unfortunately live next to this individual.

While I do not know nor do I have any contact with this individual, I respectfully request for everyone’s safety that s/he take down this flag — a symbol that is so offensive to the surrounding community.

To my neighbors, I hope you continue to exercise your First Amendment Right as we traditionally do in this community, but we must do it within the letter of the law. Please do not exceed or violate what is permitted expressions of free speech.

Lastly, my staff and I have been in contact with the local precinct and we have been informed that the situation is being monitored.

Updated 8:30 p.m.

Earlier this evening, 12 to 15 people were gathered on the southwest corner. Some of them had signs with them that read "End Racism," and other messages. No one was actively holding them up at this time. There was one police vehicle parked on Avenue D. There weren't any news crews at this time, though there were two photographers on the corner.





The Daily News filed a second story earlier today that names the resident.

Updated 8/18

Workers have dropped a tarp over the windows. Read that story here.

Updated 8/19

The flags have been removed.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Calling all showoffs! Theatrical East Eighth Street apartment back on the market

[Image via]

This unit on Eighth Street and Avenue B is back on the market ... we last checked in here at 295 E. Eighth St. in February 2010...

And the two-year layoff hasn't made the listing any less corny... Seat belt fastened?

The most WOW loft you will ever see! Calling all artists, chefs, designers, showoffs and anyone with a flair for the spectacular, this is it! Crowning the living room, a STAGE - a ceremonial platform from the early 1900's, today an especially dramatic place for living\dining\display. One can only dream of finding a cavernous live-work space in such a prime location! Grand and certainly unique, 2,300 square feet directly facing Tompkins Square Park on Charlie Parker Place (Ave. B), your own iron balcony. 18' ceilings, 12' windows facing West onto the park and South onto 8th Street. ... This award-winning landmarked, restored building is an integral part of the history of the East Village and it only gets better with time. Live "outside the box" and be a part of NY history! The unit is on the 2nd floor in a walk-up building.

Uh-huh.



And it's $9,000 per month now. Was only going for $8,900 back in February 2010.

So 295 Avenue B was completed in 1887... It was known as Newsboys' and Bootblacks' Lodging House as well as Tompkins Square Lodging House for Boys and Industrial School, Children's Aid Society.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Community gardens main selling point for million-dollar condo on East Eighth Street

So this two-bedroom condo with a balcony... an in-unit washer-dryer ... Zuma soaking tubs ... Peitra Cardoza counters in the kitchen... is for sale over on East Eighth Street near Avenue C.



With all these fine amenities, what does the listing start with?

"Surrounded by community gardens and a half block from Tompkins Square Park, 331 East 8th offers high design and functionality in a stunning environment."

Noted a very special friend of EV Grieve: "It does sound better than 'surrounded by blocks that would have gotten you killed 20 years ago...'"

Anyway, it's going for $1.299 million... and you're in luck — there's an open house tonight from 5:30-7.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

A temporary road closure on Eighth Street

Earlier in the week, a reader sent along a photo of this "road" closure for Eighth Street...


So I headed that way to see what this was going to be about. Turned out workers were hoisted up something or another to the under-renovation St. Brigid's at Avenue B...



...and then the crew trashed the sign afterwards ... which means the road will be open then after all this weekend...

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

8th Street Unearthed up for grabs



The poster here used to be hanging at the police precinct at Eighth Street and Avenue C with historical artifacts and such. A reader salvaged it from the trash after the cops threw it away. He cleaned it up and has had it on his apartment wall ever since.

Anyway, he's moving... and he'd like the poster to stay in the neighborhood. As he describes:
"It's a really cool map of downtown with a 'You are here' marker at 8th and C and a bit of history of the neighborhood on the side. Probably about 3.5' x 3'. Its thick and heavy, needs to be mounted with screws."

(Unfortunately, the map is outdated, and DOES NOT include a marker for when German World Cup fans commandeered a fire truck on Seventh and C...)

Uh, but seriously....He figured he'd find a better neighborhood taker via EV Grieve than Craigslist ... or just leaving it on the street. If you're interested, then you can leave your e-mail in the comments... or, you can send me an e-mail and I'll pass your info on.... grieve98@gmail.com [Updated 6:26: Looks as if we have a taker...]


Monday, July 12, 2010

Work is getting real serious at St. Brigid's

The amount of scaffolding continues to increase at St. Brigid's, on Avenue B at Eighth Street...



Meanwhile, looking up from Eighth Street, it almost looks as if the entire northern side of the church has been removed...




That was the side with the enormous crack in the foundation...(previously!)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Caffe Pepe Rosso is now Cotto Caffe on Avenue C

Last May, we reported that Caffe Pepe Rosso was on the market... In recent days, a new awning has appeared at the Italian eatery on Avenue C at Eighth Street...




It's our understanding that a new owner came along last summer... (And there used to be an Italian place called Cotto a few doors to the north... same owner?)

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Meanwhile, before we christen Avenue D the next Greenpoint...

At 401 E. Eighth St. just a few steps off Avenue D, a new six-story apartment building was slated to go up in this lot...



However, the lot appears to be abandoned now... I haven't seen any activity here in months...




Shiming Tam Architects are listed with the DOB. A search of their site doesn't turn up any plans for this space.

And some photos of the lot from this past October...Because, dear reader, I enjoy nothing more than taking photos of empty lots.



Wednesday, February 24, 2010

What $10,000 a month gets you in "East Greenwich Village," aka East Eighth Street near Avenue C

In which we continue our obsessive occassional look at really expensive homes in the East Village.







According to the listing (this, by the way, is NOT a new listing... this home has been on the market for about four months...):


331 East 8th Street (between Avenue B and Avenue C)
E. Greenwich Village
$10,000 / month

Welcome to the East Village's most cutting edge condo Penthouse residence. The keyed elevator opens directly into this spectacular home fully furnished with imported designer furniture including a 65-inch plasma TV in the living room. Blessed with over 3000sf of total space, this 3 bed 2 bath Penthouse has a Private Rooftop with Sun Shower and year long Heated Jacuzzi. Everything is state-of-the-art from the top-of-the-line designer kitchen with Sub-Zero refridgerator and 6 burner Viking stove, to the 4 1/4" wide plank white oak floors and solarium bay windows throughout this extraordinary masterpiece of a home. Aside from the functional private rooftop this Penthouse also has 3 huge terraces and is completely sun-drenched. Spectacular landmark views of the Empire State, Chrysler and MetLife buildings along with views of the blossoming willow trees, parks and East Village charm. All bedrooms easily fit king size beds and are loaded with closets plus walk-in closet in the 3rd bedroom and washer/dryer. Live/work approved and fun layout makes this home a unique living opportunity. Exclusive and private by Manhattan's best kept secret restaurants and happening spots with thrilling views and country peacefulness make this Penthouse home a delightful living experience.

Or if that dump on East Eighth Street is too fancy for you, then try this one...

This unit on Eighth Street and Avenue B is new to the market this week.... In fact, this is where Matt Dillon has been living of late. (OMG! Maybe this is Matt's old rental!)



Per the listing at Corcoran:

Only dream of finding a space and a location such as this!!! You can actually live in it and enjoy it! One-of-a-kind 2,000 square foot loft facing Tompkins Square Park on Charlie Parker Place (Ave. B) with 20' ceilings, 12' windows facing directly West on the Park and South on 8th Street. The unit has brand new kitchen and bathroom. The space could be divided to create a third bedroom or left open to enjoy its splendor. This landmarked building has been part of the history of the East Village and only gets better with time. Live "way outside the box" and be a part of NY history!





And I'm still wrapping my head around this line, "You can actually live in it and enjoy it!"

Anyway, 295 Avenue B was completed in 1887... It was known as Newsboys' and Bootblacks' Lodging House as well as Tompkins Square Lodging House for Boys and Industrial School, Children's Aid Society.

Monday, January 25, 2010

More scaffolding for St. Brigid's

After receiving photos from a reader on Friday morning, I had to go over and see the exterior work being done on St. Brigid's on Avenue B and Eighth Street for myself... There was plenty of activity here on Saturday...





Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Happy ending for The Villager box

We recently noted that some drunken hooligans someone moved The Villager box from the west to east side of Avenue B at Eighth Street. Or perhaps it was that mighty wind from that weekend...?



Well, we went back over there to see what became of the box... turns out it was moved across Eighth to a new, perhaps, safer location...

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Restoration update at St. Brigid's (with new photos)

Here's the latest message from Edwin Torres, chairman of the Committee to Save St. Brigid's:

"The restoration continues. The south and north walls have been reinforced. They are currently working on the center support."

Torres also posted new photos from inside the church on Avenue B at Eighth Street...





Looks rather heavenly...

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Election Day special

This mural was created during Art Around the Park in September. This past weekend, it appeared on the gate of a community garden on Eighth Street.



For further reading:
Just Say No (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

Friday, October 23, 2009

Posts that I never got around to posting: New fence at St. Brigid's

Before!



Now!



That should keep out those squatters...

Previously on EV Grieve:
We hope the Archdiocese didn't spend any of the $10 million on the new "no parking" sign for St. Brigid's