More stabilization work today at the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center

Photo and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Stabilization efforts will be taking place today at the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center ... which means Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C will be closed to through traffic. 

Reps for Q Impact Solutions, which led a presentation about the future of P.S. 64 last month, shared this info:

Contractors plan to be on-site to make immediate repairs at the southeast façade along the Ninth Street frontage of the building. This stabilization/make-safe work will include the infill of an open gap in the terracotta coping and performing repairs to a step-crack where the sloped coping units meet the brick party wall adjacent to the neighboring property. 

We expect the duration of this repair work to last one day. The work will require the use of a boom lift positioned on the street, similar to what was used during the recent façade investigation work in September. Street closure will be necessary for a portion of the day. 

Posted notices state the crane work will occur from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

According to public records, 605 East 9th Community Holdings LLC bought the property from longtime owner Gregg Singer for $57 million in a transaction filed on Jan. 9. 

Discussions are underway to determine the building's future use and the extent to which it will serve the community.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Rehabilitation of the former P.S. 64 could take 4 to 6 years, cost over $100 million

Rehabilitation of the former P.S. 64 could take 4 to 6 years, cost over $100 million

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The rehabilitation of the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center could take four to six years and cost over $100 million. 

Those were two of the big takeaways from a public informational session this past Friday, where local elected officials, community members and building reps connected to the new ownership of the former P.S. 64 came together to discuss the long-vacant property at 605 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.

Quamid Francis of Q Impact Solutions led the presentation at the Lower Eastside Girls Club on Eighth Street and Avenue D. Speakers included representatives from Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Denham Wolf Real Estate, speaking on behalf of the property's buyer. 

Here's a quick recap of how we got here these past 20-plus years: According to public records, 605 East 9th Community Holdings LLC bought the property from longtime owner Gregg Singer for $57,267,453 in a transaction filed on Jan. 9. 

The LLC reportedly (per The Real Deal) has ties to Aaron Sosnick, a billionaire hedge fund manager who lives next door in the Christodora House. Denham Wolf Real Estate Services stated that the LLC is "a philanthropic entity with the purpose of returning the property to community use." 

Through the years, Singer, who bought the building from the city during an auction in 1998 for $3.1 million, wanted to turn the one-time P.S. 64 into a dorm, though those plans never materialized, and the building has sat in disrepair. 

The 135,000-square-foot building is zoned for "community facility use." (Any conversion to residential housing would require a zoning variance.) The DOB's Stop Work Order, which dates to August 2015, and is still in effect. The DOB later lifted the Full Vacate Order (from February 2019) to allow inspections by city-licensed engineers.

As previously noted, some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001. 

The discussion on Friday started with a slideshow presentation and, later, a few questions from the audience.

Francis spoke about objectives, such as shaping the vision and working with elected officials and philanthropists to see what might be possible for and in the building, floor by floor. 

Some ideas that have already been floated:

• The basement space, which holds around 200 people, could be a podcast studio, a space to screen films, and an audio studio. 

• The first floor: A dynamic community space. Elements could include a kitchen, classrooms, and perhaps a catering station. Walls could hold art/exhibition space with a place to hold parties and events. Maybe it could also include a coffee shop. 

• The second floor could have a pottery studio, a bike repair shop and a STEM lab. There could also be a place for young men to fill the void after the Boys Club closed in 2022.

• Third floor: A community organization space, possibly a yoga studio. 

• Fourth floor: A space for visual artists and creators, a dance studio, and a space to store the neighborhood's history and archival materials. 

• Fifth floor: Music practice and acoustic space. 

• Courtyard: An open green space. Ideas included moving the Charlie Parker Festival to the courtyard. 

The architects discussed securing the building, the significant capital investments needed, and testing the façade (tapping the terra cotta, which has been taking place recently). They concluded: "The façade is in good shape — it's a robust building."

The reps from Denham Wolf talked about removing the dead pigeons from the interior and addressing the rodent problem. Other pressing tasks included getting Con Ed to restore power to the building and providing daily security on site. 

Denham Wolf reps also stated the building needs to be further stabilized inside and out in hopes that the Department of Buildings would lift the violations that have been in place for eight years.

After the 75-minute meeting, organizers directed attendees to the lobby and asked them to share their ideas on vision boards, which they could add using Post-It notes.

The presentation leaders said the next steps included establishing and sharing "regular project updates via a website." An urgent need: "Help with securing immediate planning funding to support emergency repairs and overall building development."

Many people told me they were notified privately about this meeting, that it hadn't been publicized. (An item about the meeting was mentioned in an e-newsletter from the Cooper Square Committee last week.) Hopefully, more residents will be notified before the next session, which has not yet been scheduled.

Façade exploration work continues at the former P.S. 64

Yesterday, workers in a hydraulic lift continued their exploration work on the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center. 

Last week, workers focused on the Ninth Street side between Avenue B and Avenue C. Crews were on 10th Street this time.

Here's what's happening at the long-vacant, landmarked building, according to an email from the East Village Community Coalition: 

As part of ongoing building stabilization and preservation efforts, a bucket lift will be on site as per the schedule below so that preservation architects and engineers can assess existing conditions by gently tapping (sounding) the façade elements with a rubber mallet. This sounding exercise is intended to ensure that the terracotta elements of the façade are safely tied into the building structure and are not in danger of falling. 

Elements that are not safely secured to the building may be removed for public safety purposes, and retained for replication or reinstallation. We have been assured that this work was planned in conversation with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and Landmarks Conservancy, and that the building is not being demolished or harmed in any way. 

In a transaction filed on Jan. 9, an entity going as 605 East 9th Community Holdings LLC bought the property from longtime owner Gregg Singer for $57,267,453, per public records. 

The LLC reportedly (per The Real Deal) has ties to Aaron Sosnick, a billionaire hedge fund manager who lives next door in the Christodora House. Denham Wolf Real Estate Services stated that the LLC is "a philanthropic entity with the purpose of returning the property to community use."

Singer, who bought the building from the city during an auction in 1998 for $3.1 million, has wanted to turn the one-time P.S. 64 into a dorm, though those plans never materialized, and the building has sat in disrepair. The 135,000-square-foot building is zoned for “community facility use,” and any conversion to residential housing would require a zoning variance. 

Work on 10th Street occurs again on Sunday between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Façade exploration underway at former P.S. 64

Reader photo above; Jose Garcia photo below

Residents were surprised to see workers in a bucket lift this weekend at the site of the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center at 605 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

Here's what's happening at the long-vacant, landmarked building, according to an email from the East Village Community Coalition: 

As part of ongoing building stabilization and preservation efforts, a bucket lift will be on site as per the schedule below so that preservation architects and engineers can assess existing conditions by gently tapping (sounding) the façade elements with a rubber mallet. This sounding exercise is intended to ensure that the terracotta elements of the façade are safely tied into the building structure and are not in danger of falling. 

Elements that are not safely secured to the building may be removed for public safety purposes, and retained for replication or reinstallation. We have been assured that this work was planned in conversation with NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and Landmarks Conservancy, and that the building is not being demolished or harmed in any way. 

Please note the "No Parking" signs! A partial street closure will be in effect but is not expected to affect bus routes. 

605 E. Ninth St. 

• 8 am — 6 pm, Sept. 14 

• 9 am — 6 pm, Sept. 15 

• 8 am — 6 pm, Sept. 21 

350 E. 10th St. 

• 9 am — 6 pm, Sept. 22 

• 8 am — 6 pm, Sept. 28 

This is the first noticeable work we've seen since owner Gregg Singer sold the crumbling property. 

In a transaction filed on Jan. 9, an entity going as 605 East 9th Community Holdings LLC bought the property from longtime owner Gregg Singer for $57,267,453, per public records. 

The LLC reportedly (per The Real Deal) has ties to Aaron Sosnick, a billionaire hedge fund manager who lives next door in the Christodora House. Denham Wolf Real Estate Services stated that the LLC is "a philanthropic entity with the purpose of returning the property to community use."

Through the years, Singer, who bought the building from the city during an auction in 1998 for $3.1 million, wanted to turn the one-time P.S. 64 into a dorm, though those plans never materialized, and the building has sat in disrepair. The 135,000-square-foot building is zoned for “community facility use,” and any conversion to a condoplex or residential housing would require a zoning variance. 

As previously noted, some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001.

Watch a large raccoon climb down a tree last night on 10th Street

EVG reader Brody Brown shared the video below of a large raccoon making his-her way down a tree on 10th Street just east of Avenue B (and at the M8 stop). 

After carefully exiting the tree, the raccoon scampered into the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center (where we had a sighting back in November). 

The video gets NSFW at the 48-second mark when an onlooker randomly says what the raccoon can do...

 

The raccoon drew a crowd, including someone who remarked, "Oh shit — look how big it is!" 

On the topic of the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center, there has been radio silence here since news of a sale hit in January.

ICYMI: After 26 years, Gregg Singer sells the former P.S. 64 for $57.1 million

ICYMI: The former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center at 605 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C has a new owner. (There was coverage in Crain's ... PincusCo and The Village Sun.)

In a transaction filed on Jan. 9, an entity going as 605 East 9th Community Holdings LLC bought the property from longtime owner Gregg Singer for $57,267,453, per public records. 

The LLC reportedly (per The Real Deal) has ties to Aaron Sosnick, a billionaire hedge fund manager who lives next door in the Christodora House. 

Denham Wolf Real Estate Services issued a statement saying that "a philanthropic entity with the purpose of returning the property to community use." (Denham Wolf Real Estate Services did not respond to an email seeking more information.

The bankruptcy auction in early November for the property was canceled. The Real Deal reported that "the property failed to solicit any bids outside of a $55 million credit bid from its lender."  Madison Realty Capital sold the loan secured by the property to 605 East 9th Community Holdings LLC.

Through the years, Singer, who bought the building from the city during an auction in 1998 for $3.1 million, wanted to turn the one-time P.S. 64 into a dorm, though those plans never materialized, and the building has sat in disrepair. The 135,000-square-foot landmarked building is zoned for “community facility use,” and any conversion to a condoplex or residential housing would require a zoning variance. 

As previously noted, some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001. 

Given Denham Wolf's statement, it appears that may happen someday, though the building needs a tremendous amount of work. Revisit our exclusive walk-through of the space here.

Friday's parting shot

A longtime EVG reader shared this from outside the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center on the 10th Street side: "Racoon spotted climbing off the old P.S. 64 scaffold and scurrying up 10th before turning south on B."

Next stop?

Report: Just 1 bid for the former P.S. 64 during its bankruptcy auction

The bankruptcy auction for the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center at 605 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C was reportedly canceled this week. 

The Real Deal reported that "the property failed to solicit any bids outside of a $55 million credit bid from its lender."

A few weeks back, per TRD, Madison Realty Capital sold the loan secured by the property to 605 East 9th Community Holdings LLC, which allegedly has ties to Aaron Sosnick, a billionaire hedge fund manager who lives next door in the Christodora House.

As we first reported, the building was headed to a bankruptcy sale on Nov. 8 — this past Wednesday. 

So what happened? 

Real estate adviser Hilco claims it marketed the property, spoke to over 50 people and conducted individual site tours for four separate groups. But it ultimately received no offers, according to a letter obtained by The Real Deal. 

Buyers were turned off by the building's landmark status and the various difficulties Singer had obtaining building permits, according to Hilco. Others lost interest after reading about "the billionaire neighbor who wants to control the property."

It's unclear then what might happen next to the long-vacant property that Gregg Singer bought in a city auction in 1998. Given the history here, the narrative will likely take several more twists and turns.

Through the years, Singer wanted to turn the one-time P.S. 64 into a dorm, though those plans never materialized, and the building has sat in disrepair. The 135,000-square-foot building is zoned for “community facility use,” and any conversion to a condoplex or residential housing would require a zoning variance. 

As previously noted, some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001. 

Sosnick also reportedly bought the former Boys' Club of New York on 10th Street and Avenue A, now home to the Joyce Theater, several nonprofit arts groups, and a gallery. 

ICYMI: The former P.S. 64/Charas is headed to a bankruptcy sale

As we first reported on Sept. 13, the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center is headed to a bankruptcy sale this fall. 

The auction date for the long-vacant property at 605 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C is Nov. 8... and the qualified bid deadline is Oct. 18.

Yesterday, the Illinois-based Hilco Real Estate, a national real estate disposition services provider, issued a news release about the upcoming sale. 

Most of the information is the same that was on Hilco's website — with an exception (bold ours): 

With an interior that is now down to the studs, the building presents an opportunity for the approved construction of 535 beds for a student/college dormitory or alternatively offers a developer or investor the potential to help mitigate the current homeless and migrant crisis by using the building for that purpose. 

The 135,000-square-foot building is zoned for "community facility use." According to city records, a full stop-work order has been in place via the Department of Buildings since August 2015.

This piece published by THE CITY in March has more background about owner Gregg Singer's efforts here ...

In the 22 years since Singer evicted local activists, he has been unable to get needed approvals to modify the building and garner revenue. In 2006, the city Landmarks Preservation Commission protected the building as historically significant, which prevented any construction of additional floors and protected those elements of the building’s edifice that Singer had not already destroyed. 

Singer’s subsequent plan to turn the building into collegiate dorms were complicated by the arrival of Rule 51, also known as the Dorm Rule, which gives control over the building to the educational institution — rather than the landlord — and mandates 10-year leases. At different times, Adelphi University and Cooper Union tentatively agreed to lease the building before backing out of negotiations, according to court documents. 

Local elected officials have urged all three mayors who have passed through City Hall since the building's purchase to intervene and return the building to the community. None have acted.

The former P.S. 64/Charas is now headed to a bankruptcy sale

The former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center is headed to a bankruptcy sale later this fall. 

According to the Hilco Real Estate (HRE) website, the auction date for the long-vacant property at 605 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C is Nov. 8. (Bankruptcy Sale | Southern District of New York (Manhattan) | Petition No. 23-10423-dsj, In re: 9th & 10th Street LLC.)

The qualified bid deadline is Oct. 18, with on-site inspections starting today. 

Per the HRE website: 

Once a school steeped in history, this six-story building with it's striking architecture was designated an individual landmark by New York City in 2006. The interior is down to the studs and approved for the construction of student/college dormitory use with a capacity for 535 beds. Notably, several area schools have expressed strong interest in leasing upon completion providing the developer instant leaseup. By repurposing this site, the East Village community can both enhance its cultural vitality and meet the critical demand for comfortable and convenient accommodations for the expanding population of NYC.

The day before a foreclosure auction in March, developer Gregg Singer put the long-vacant property into bankruptcy protection, the latest maneuver in his nearly 25 years of being involved with the building. This action came two months after New York State Justice Melissa Crane ordered the foreclosure and sale of the former school and community center. 

Adam Pincus at PincusCo reported in March: 

Singer claimed the five-story building has assets and liabilities both above $100 million, and that there would be funds to make payments to the more than two dozen creditors. Madison Realty Capital filed the pre-foreclosure action in 2018 that triggered the foreclosure sale, only two years after giving Singer a $44 million loan secured by the property. 

As of a February 2022 referee's report, the property had debts of $89.98 million.

As Pincus noted, "Singer's move to protect his ownership of the building is part of an extensive involvement of the courts over the years."

Singer purchased the property during a city auction in 1998 for $3.15 million. Through the years, Singer wanted to turn the one-time P.S. 64 into a dorm (more here), though those plans never materialized, and the building has sat in disrepair, prompting the city to take emergency measures to seal it up in late 2022. 

Some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001. There was a petition in circulation earlier this year titled, "Save Charas Community Center! Stop the Private Auction!" The petition stated, "Demand Mayor Adams use eminent domain to return the center to the people!" 

The 135,000-square-foot building is zoned for "community facility use." (Any conversion to residential housing would require a zoning variance.) The DOB's Stop Work Order dating to August 2015 is still in effect. The DOB lifted the Full Vacate Order (from February 2019) last week to "allow inspection by city's licensed engineers with owner and owner's engineer," according to public records. 

Community group urges Mayor Adams to reacquire the former P.S. 64/CHARAS 'now'

EVG file photo via Stacie Joy 

The coalition Save Our Community Center, CHARAS, former P.S. 64 (SOCCC-64) has embarked on a new letter-writing campaign to urge Mayor Adams to reacquire the long-vacant property on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

Per the campaign site: 

The time is past due for the city to act in the interest of the community and intervene to restore this once-vital community resource to its former use. 

Send a letter to the Mayor asking him to take steps to reacquire CHARAS now! 

You can find the link here. 

The campaign is the first activity we've heard from here since mid-March, when the day before the foreclosure auction of the address, developer Gregg Singer put the long-vacant property into bankruptcy protection, the latest maneuver in a long saga.

On March 15, SOCCC-64, community leaders and residents hand-delivered a letter from local elected officials — including Councilmember Carlina Rivera, Congressman Dan Goldman, Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and State Sen. Brian Kavanagh — to City Hall requesting a meeting as soon as possible to discuss reacquiring 609 E. Ninth St.

The five-floor landmarked building is zoned for "community facility use," Any conversion to residential housing would require a zoning variance. The long-standing Stop Work Order and Full Vacate are still on file with the Department of Buildings.

Singer wanted to turn the building into a dorm (more here), though those plans never materialized. 

In late December, New York State Justice Melissa Crane ordered the foreclosure and sale of the former P.S. 64 with a default, including penalties and interest totaling approximately $90 million.

The property that Singer purchased from the city in 1998 for $3.15 million fell into foreclosure last year and was reportedly in the hands of lender Madison Realty Capital.  

In October 2017, then-Mayor de Blasio's statement at a Town Hall put forth the idea that the city would take steps to reacquire the building. According to published reports, the Mayor said he'd work to "right the wrongs of the past."  (Recently revealed emails show that de Blasio's aides thought his efforts to buy the property were "nuts.") 

Some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001. 

At the long-vacant former P.S. 64/CHARAS, more 'frivolous court actions to tie up the property'

Top photo by Stacie Joy from January; 2nd photo from last week by Duke9 

On Tuesday, the day before the foreclosure auction of the former P.S. 64/CHARAS at 605 E. Ninth St., developer Gregg Singer put the long-vacant property into bankruptcy protection, the latest maneuver in his nearly 25 years of being involved with the property between Avenue B and Avenue C. (First reported by PincusCo.)

Representatives of the coalition Save Our Community Center, CHARAS, former P.S. 64 (SOCCC-64) were planning on a celebration yesterday following the auction of the property "because it would have allowed the City to begin negotiations to re-acquire the building and return it as a cultural and community center to the neighborhood." 

Instead, per a statement from SOCCC-64: 

This is yet another in a long series of frivolous court actions to tie up the property and try and force a settlement that would allow Singer to violate the use restrictions on the building and construct a youth hostel that he is trying to pass off as a dormitory. 

On March 15, SOCCC-64, community leaders and residents hand-delivered a letter from local elected officials — including Councilmember Carlina Rivera, Congressman Dan Goldman, Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and State Sen. Brian Kavanagh — to City Hall requesting a meeting as soon as possible to discuss re-acquiring the center. (Read more about the rally here.)

Meanwhile, as The Real Deal reported, Singer is also in litigation over the property with the city and former Mayor Bill de Blasio.

He sued in 2018, claiming a conspiracy blocked his efforts to redevelop the building. Singer is now seeking to amend the lawsuit.

The city had not owned the property since selling it to Singer during the Giuliani administration, yet the developer alleges the offer "prompted the city to go from a slow walk to a full stop by categorically and unconditionally denying" him building permits.

Singer's attorney filed a motion seeking to amend his complaint. The proposed amended complaint was filed under seal.

Singer said in a statement that the amended complaint "will lift the curtain revealing the city's actions under Mayor de Blasio."

The 135,000-square-foot landmarked building is zoned for "community facility use," Any conversion to residential housing would require a zoning variance. The long-standing Stop Work Order and Full Vacate are still on file with the Department of Buildings.

Singer wanted to turn the building into a dorm (more here), though those plans never materialized. (In past years, the Joffrey Ballet and Cooper Union were attached to the project.) 

In late December, New York State Justice Melissa Crane ordered the foreclosure and sale of the former P.S. 64 with a default, including penalties and interest totaling approximately $90 million.

The property that Singer purchased from the city in 1998 for $3.15 million fell into foreclosure last year and was reportedly in the hands of lender Madison Realty Capital.  

In October 2017, then-Mayor de Blasio's statement at a Town Hall put forth the idea that the city would take steps to reacquire the building. According to published reports, the Mayor said he'd work to "right the wrongs of the past." 

Some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001. There's a petition in circulation titled, "Save Charas Community Center! Stop the Private Auction!" Per the petition, which states, "Demand Mayor Adams use eminent domain to return the center to the people!" (You can find the petition here.) 

With more legal proceedings and what critics refer to as delay tactics ahead, the building will continue to sit empty for the foreseeable future. 

THE CITY has a recap on what's been happening to date here ... with comments from Councilmember Rivera.

Report: Gregg Singer places the former P.S. 64/Charas into bankruptcy protection

The auction of the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center will NOT be happening after all today.

Developer Gregg Singer has reportedly placed his long-dormant property at 605 E. Ninth St. into bankruptcy protection ... two months after New York State Justice Melissa Crane ordered the foreclosure and sale of the former school and community center between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

This development comes right as an auction for the landmarked building was set to take place today at the Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Avenue. 

Adam Pincus at PincusCo has the scoop: 

Singer claimed the five-story building has assets and liabilities both above $100 million, and that there would be funds to make payments to the more than two dozen creditors. Madison Realty Capital filed the pre-foreclosure action in 2018 that triggered the foreclosure sale, only two years after giving Singer a $44 million loan secured by the property. 

As of a February 2022 referee's report, the property had debts of $89.98 million.

As Pincus notes, "Singer's move to protect his ownership of the building is part of an extensive involvement of the courts over the years."

Now there will be more court activity to sort out the bankruptcy litigation.

Singer purchased the property during a city auction in 1998 for $3.15 million. Through the years, Singer wanted to turn the one-time P.S. 64 into a dorm (more here), though those plans never materialized, and the building has sat in disrepair, prompting the city to take emergency measures to seal it up in late 2022. 

Some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001. There's a petition in circulation titled, "Save Charas Community Center! Stop the Private Auction!" Per the petition, which states, "Demand Mayor Adams use eminent domain to return the center to the people!" (You can find the petition here.)

The 135,000-square-foot building is zoned for "community facility use," Any conversion to residential housing would require a zoning variance.

Artists feel inspired to create murals for the former Charas/El Bohio Community Center

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

A group of local artists continues to paint a series of murals on the Ninth Street side of the former Charas/El Bohio Community Center here between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

The artists include (above) Seth Tobocman ... Sabrina Jones...

...Jenny Gonzalez-Blitz...

... and Ariel Kleinberg ...

The work, which started on March 5, comes before the landmarked building heads to a foreclosure auction tomorrow, Wednesday, March 22, at the Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Avenue. (There is a Facebook invite to "Stop the Auction.")

Meanwhile, there's a petition in circulation titled, "Save Charas Community Center! Stop the Private Auction!" Per the petition, which states, "Demand Mayor Adams use eminent domain to return the center to the people!" You can find the petition here.

"We are operating on the assumption that we will get the community center back, and we are using permanent material that will last," Tobocman said. 

He was quick to note that the participating artists are not involved with the various political groups and their plans for tomorrow's auction. 

"We are just artists inspired to paint, inspired by the art that was painted on the other [10th Street] side," Tobocman said. "Sabrina Jones had a studio in the building before it was evicted. Some of us taught art classes to kids there back in the 80s. We have a Wednesday deadline due to the auction."

The property that developer Gregg Singer purchased during a city auction in 1998 for $3.15 million fell into foreclosure last year. Through the years, Singer wanted to turn the one-time P.S. 64 into a dorm (more here), though those plans never materialized. Some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001.  

Reminders: A rally at City Hall for the former Charas/El Bohio Community Center

ICYMI: Residents and supporters of the former Charas/El Bohio Community Center at 609 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C have organized a rally at City Hall for tomorrow, March 15. 

Per the invite, attendees will "demand the city right the wrongs of the past and return our community center."

The crowd will deliver a letter from local elected officials, including Councilmember Carlina Rivera, Congressman Dan Goldman, Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, and State Sen, Brian Kavanagh to City Hall requesting a meeting as soon as possible.

The rally starts at 11 a.m. on the south plaza outside City Hall.

The action comes before the landmarked building heads to a foreclosure auction next Wednesday, March 22, at the Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Avenue. (There is a Facebook invite to "Stop the Auction.")

The property that developer Gregg Singer purchased during a city auction in 1998 for $3.15 million fell into foreclosure last year. Through the years, Singer wanted to turn the one-time P.S. 64 into a dorm (more here), though those plans never materialized. Some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001.  

Meanwhile, there's a petition in circulation titled, "Save Charas Community Center! Stop the Private Auction!" Per the petition, which states, "Demand Mayor Adams use eminent domain to return the center to the people!" You can find the petition here.

There's also a very detailed Charas model by Tom Manco on display in the window of the UltraViolet Visual Studio on Avenue B at 13th Street... (thanks to @jushotei for the photo)...

And another look...

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tom Manco (@mancostudio)

A rally at City Hall for the former Charas/El Bohio Community Center

Residents and supporters of the former Charas/El Bohio Community Center at 609 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C have organized a rally at City Hall for March 15. 

Per the invite, attendees will "demand the city right the wrongs of the past and return our community center."

The rally starts at 11 a.m. on the south plaza outside City Hall this Wednesday.

The action comes before the landmarked building heads to a foreclosure auction on March 22 at the Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Avenue. (There is a Facebook invite to "Stop the Auction.")

The property that developer Gregg Singer purchased during a city auction in 1998 for $3.15 million fell into foreclosure last year. Through the years, Singer wanted to turn the one-time P.S. 64 into a dorm (more here), though those plans never materialized. 

In October 2017, then-Mayor de Blasio's statement at a Town Hall put forth the idea that the city would take steps to reacquire the building. 

Some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001.  

There's also a petition in circulation titled, "Save Charas Community Center! Stop the Private Auction!"

Per the petition, which states, "Demand Mayor Adams use eminent domain to return the center to the people!"

For 22 years, from 1979 to 2001, 605 E. Ninth St. served as the home to the Charas/El Bohio Community & Cultural Center. Each year, thousands of people attended programs there. Charas hosted community meetings, children’s programming, art exhibits, music concerts, film screenings, plays, dance recitals, bicycle recycling, construction and youth jobs training, substance abuse treatment, and political organizing. 

In 1998, Rudy Giuliani sold Charas to a campaign contributor [Gregg Singer] for a paltry $3.15 million, and in December of 2001, Charas was evicted from the space, and the center was shuttered.

You can find the petition here.

A petition and more cinder blocks for the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center

We thought the construction team sealing up the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center had wrapped up their emergency work.

However, yesterday, a reader noted a worker putting cinder blocks over an entrance on the 10th Street side of the building... and over a mural of LES activist, actor, and playwright Bimbo Rivas. (Last month, workers told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that they've actually "preserved" the artwork here, claiming that there is an inch or two between the masonry and the painting.)

The workers, who arrived on Dec. 20, told Stacie that they were sealing up some remaining windows and putting down 2x4s to shore up the ground-floor banisters and flooring on the building's Ninth Street and 10th Street sides here between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

The former school and community center had been easy to access in recent years, attracting a variety of urban thrillseekers and partygoers. The broken windows and poorly secured doors also exposed the building to the elements — not to mention pigeons.

According to workers, they've actually "preserved" the artwork here (two murals were mostly covered), saying that there is an inch or two between the masonry and the painting, so it is not being disturbed and that no mortar abuts the work.

Meanwhile, as reported late last month, the landmarked building is headed to a foreclosure auction in March. 

According to The Real Deal, a court-appointed referee set an auction for the property at the Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Avenue on March 22. (As previously noted, the 135,000-square-foot building is zoned for "community facility use." Any conversion to a condoplex or residential housing would require a zoning variance.)

There's now a petition in circulation titled, "Save Charas Community Center! Stop the Private Auction!"

Per the petition, which states, "Demand Mayor Adams use eminent domain to return the center to the people!"

For 22 years, from 1979 to 2001, 605 E. Ninth St. served as the home to the Charas/El Bohio Community & Cultural Center. Each year, thousands of people attended programs there. Charas hosted community meetings, children’s programming, art exhibits, music concerts, film screenings, plays, dance recitals, bicycle recycling, construction and youth jobs training, substance abuse treatment, and political organizing. 

In 1998, Rudy Giuliani sold Charas to a campaign contributor [Gregg Singer] for a paltry $3.15 million, and in December of 2001, Charas was evicted from the space, and the center was shuttered.

You can find the petition here.

And our previous post has more background.