When the Post Office is out to lunch

There was a lunchtime line today at the Peter Stuyvesant Retail Post Office on 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... turns out the branch was closed for lunch between noon and 1:30 p.m., something P.O. regulars here can't recall seeing before... the lobby doors were also locked, so patrons couldn't even drop off pre-paid mail or check their mailboxes...



Thanks to Sonya!

What time does the new East Village Trader Joe's open today?

[Photo from Saturday]

At 8 a.m., per the signage here at 436 E. 14th St. just west of Avenue A (or via our post from Friday) ...


[Photo by Mr. Baggs]

This location is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

We'll likely have quickie reader reactions to the new space... we also plan to do something about the art in the store, which was created by East Village-based illustrator Peter Arkle.

This TJ's location is in the retail space of the newish 8-story luxury rental called EVE. This development is on the site of the onetime Peter Stuyvesant Post Office (1951-2014).

Several readers said that the Peter Stuyvesant PO was elsewhere on this block between Avenue A and First Avenue. You can check out our extensive archives on the demolition of the post office to make way for this development at the links below.

The USPS has been leasing the former Duane Reade at 333 E. 14th St. for retail services these past six years.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Today in rants: the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office

• Meanwhile, at everyone's favorite local post office branch...

• UPDATED: Did you hear the rumor about the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office branch closing?

• Former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office slated to be demolished

• The former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office will yield to an 8-story residential building

• New residential building at former 14th Street PO will feature a quiet lounge, private dining room

• Developer withdraws zoning variance request for former 14th Street post office site

• The Peter Stuyvesant-PO-replacing residential building tops out on 14th Street

• All about EVE, the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office-replacing rentals on 14th Street

• EVErything about the new luxury rentals at the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office


[Photo by Gian G. via Yelp]

EVErything about the new luxury rentals at the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office

[View from 14th Street]

Leasing is underway in the new luxury building called EVE, officially at 433 E. 13th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. This is on the site of the onetime Peter Stuyvesant Post Office (1951-2014).


[View from 13th Street]

New York Yimby, who first reported on the leasing, noted that market-rate units begin at $3,250 per month for studios and up to $7,000 for two-bedroom, two-bathroom units. In addition, as an 80/20 development, 20 percent of the apartments are designated as affordable.

Here are a few items about EVE to note from the website, which includes lines such as "rEVEl in your surroundings" and "EVEnings out" ...

Amenities:

Eve’s premium amenity package was thoughtfully designed to appeal to the busy New Yorker. An inviting tenant lounge, complete with a cozy fireplace, is perfect for freelancers working from home, and the state-of-the-art fitness center makes it easy to fit in a workout first thing in the morning, or later on as the day is winding down. The true stand-out is the fully landscaped roof deck, furnished with an expansive lawn, a barbecue area, and an outdoor TV and sound system which will change movie night forever.

Design:

The neighborhood’s artistic and rock roots are tastefully woven into the building’s design, bringing color and creativity to the clean, contemporary spaces. Original artwork in the REED lounge by Francis Le Gaucher and Alexander Jackson pays homage to some of the neighborhood’s most iconic bands, and Remko Heemskerk’s courtyard mural adds palpable warmth to a collaborative area.

Those iconic bands would be the Velvet Underground, Blondie and the Ramones.

And some renderings...







In the short term over the next 24 months or so, residents facing 14th Street will have a view of the L-train construction work, including the new entrance and elevator for the train at Avenue A. As previously reported, 14th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A is serving as the main hub for the Canarsie tube rehab, likely even under Gov. Cuomo's new plan for weekend-only work.

The L-train prep work started in July 2017 on 14th Street between First Avenue and Avenue B. In recent months 14th Street residents and local elected officials here have spoken out about the noise, traffic, and dust and debris that have impacted air quality along this corridor.

As for the new building, reps for Benenson and Mack Real Estate previously sought a variance to build four more floors (to 12 from 8) than the zoning would allow to make up for the "extraordinary construction costs" from poor ground conditions here. They ultimately withdrew this request in March 2017.

A Trader Joe's was originally slated for the 14th Street retail space. However, a Trader Joe's rep told me the following in October: "Unfortunately, we do not have any current plans for a store at that location."

Several articles about EVE do mention the Trader Joe's for the new building ... it's also on the map of local businesses on the EVE website (though it's not actually mentioned anywhere on the site) ...



And here's a look inside the under-construction retail space, which includes an escalator...





Previously on EV Grieve:
Today in rants: the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office

Meanwhile, at everyone's favorite local post office branch...

UPDATED: Did you hear the rumor about the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office branch closing?

Former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office slated to be demolished

The former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office will yield to an 8-story residential building

New residential building at former 14th Street PO will feature a quiet lounge, private dining room

Developer withdraws zoning variance request for former 14th Street post office site

The Peter Stuyvesant-PO-replacing residential building tops out on 14th Street

All about EVE, the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office-replacing rentals on 14th Street


[2014]

All about EVE, the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office-replacing rentals on 14th Street

[View of 432 E. 14th St.]

Work continues (one year in!) along 14th Street, as crews are putting in new, ADA-compliant entrances at Avenue A and a new power station at Avenue B for the L train.

Renderings show that one of the Avenue A L-train entrances will be right in front of the new residential building at 432 E. 14th St., site of the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office branch from 1953 to 2014....



And that residential building has a name — EVE (not to be confused with EVGB on the next block), which is ready to start leasing this fall. CityRealty first noted this earlier in August. Per their report:

Prices of the 113 studio through two-bedroom apartments will range from $2,000 to over $5,000. These figures are consistent with the East Village median rent of $3,963/month, according to CityRealty data. Further apartment details are not yet available, but amenities will include a courtyard, lounge, outdoor exercise and yoga room, bike room, and laundry room.

Here's an updated rendering showing the 13th Street side, where the residential entrance is...


[Via SLCE Architects]

No word on exactly what EVE might stand for (East Village Expensive?). There was some hope that the building would have a name that paid homage to the previous tenant, the much-loathed post 0ffice, such as Next Window Please or You Can Come Back Tomorrow If You Want.

And no word about affordable housing in EVE. The Benenson Capital website still notes the following:

Benenson and the Mack Real Estate Group have formed a joint venture to develop a mixed-use residential and ground floor retail property in New York City's East Village. The 80/20 property will provide both market and affordable housing units.

Reps for Benenson and Mack Real Estate previously sought a variance to build four more floors (to 12 from 8) than the zoning would allow to make up for the "extraordinary construction costs" from poor ground conditions here. They withdrew this request in March 2017.

As for the commercial space, which will have the 14th Street entrance ... the CityRealty post states: "To the delight of residents and neighbors, Trader Joe’s is the building’s retail tenant." There were rumors that the TJ's wasn't happening.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Today in rants: the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office

Meanwhile, at everyone's favorite local post office branch...

UPDATED: Did you hear the rumor about the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office branch closing?

Former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office slated to be demolished

The former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office will yield to an 8-story residential building

New residential building at former 14th Street PO will feature a quiet lounge, private dining room

Developer withdraws zoning variance request for former 14th Street post office site

The Peter Stuyvesant-PO-replacing residential building tops out on 14th Street

The Peter Stuyvesant-PO-replacing residential building tops out on 14th Street

Workers have apparently reached the top at 432 E. 14th St., planting the flag at the retail-residential building at the site of the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Here's a comparison with the rendering in circulation...



To recap, the entrance to the nearly 23,000-square-foot Trader Joe's will be on the 14th Street side of the building while residents will access their rentals from the 13th Street side. The plans show 114 residential units with 20 percent designated as affordable housing.

And another recap: Reps for Benenson Capital Partners and Mack Real Estate previously sought a variance to build four more floors (to 12 from 8) than the zoning would allow to make up for the "extraordinary construction costs" from poor ground conditions here. They withdrew this request in March.





No word yet on when rentals may start here or if the building will have a name that pays homage to the previous tenant, the Post Office, maybe something like Next Window Please, Marked As Delivered But We Didn't Actually Deliver It or You Can Come Back Tomorrow If You Want.

You can find coverage about the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office here.

Post office-replacing residential building with a Trader Joe's nearing the top on 14th Street

Looks like workers are just starting on the seventh floor (of eight total) here at 432-438 E. 14th St. near Avenue A.

Entrance to the two-level, nearly 23,000-square-foot Trader Joe's will be on the 14th Street side of the building while residents will access their rentals from the 13th Street side. (The plans call for 114 residential units with 20 percent designated as affordable housing.)


[Looking to the west on Avenue A]

You can find coverage about the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office here.

Bonus shot of the work at 500 E. 14th St. at Avenue A, where Target is taking the corner retail slot with a summer 2018 opening...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Developer withdraws zoning variance request for former 14th Street post office site

Going up and going down on 14th Street

Just noting a milestone of sorts at 432-438 E. 14th St., where an 8-story retail-residential building is on the ascent at the former site of the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office between Avenue A and First Avenue...



The original plans for 432-438 E. 14th St. call for 114 residential unit with 20 percent affordable housing. A Trader Joe's is signed on for the retail space.

Meanwhile!

Directly across the street, work is now underway for the Avenue A entrances to the L train...





YouTube user Brian Camacho took the video last Tuesday ... showing the prep work at the First Avenue station ... along with a look along 14th Street that shows the scope of the work to come...



As previously reported, the MTA is building the new entrances to help relieve congestion at the stop, which sees an average of 23,000-plus riders per weekday. The entrances at First Avenue and Avenue A will be made ADA compliant.

The work along 14th Street includes a new power substation at Avenue B to give the MTA the juice to operate more L trains.

The MTA did not provide a timeline on when all this will be complete. The shutdown of the L is expected to last 15 months with a start date of April 2019. Read more about that project here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office slated to be demolished

The former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office will yield to an 8-story residential building

New residential building at former 14th Street PO will feature a quiet lounge, private dining room

A look at the new building coming to the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office property

Post office-replacing residential building reaches ground level on 14th Street

The foundation appears to be set at the 8-story retail-residential building for 432-438 E. 14th St. This photo shows the workers at ground level now here between Avenue A and First Avenue...


[Photo by Bobby Williams]

Reps for Benenson Capital Partners and Mack Real Estate had been lobbying to receive a zoning variance for a 12-story building — four more floors than the area's zoning allows — at the site of the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office.

Facing opposition from community groups and residents in previous meetings, the developers cut back their request by two-thirds. Their new proposal sought nine stories on the East 14th Street side of the building, one higher than the eight allowed under the current zoning.

The developers had claimed that the property "is burdened by a combination of unique conditions that result in practical difficulties in complying with the applicable zoning regulations."

Specifically: "Unusually elevated groundwater levels and exceedingly soft and unstable soil (owing to the presence of an underground stream) ... result in extraordinary construction costs, which make a complying development with affordable housing infeasible." (An analysis of the project put the extra construction costs due to the substandard soil at $8.8 million.)

However, in March, they withdrew their request for the extra floor.

The pile driving started here last May. Crews for the new developments at 500 and 538 E. 14th St. likely encountered similar "soft and unstable soil," as foundation work lasted lasted more than a year.

The original plans for 432-438 E. 14th St. called for 114 residential unit with 20 percent affordable housing.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office slated to be demolished

The former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office will yield to an 8-story residential building

New residential building at former 14th Street PO will feature a quiet lounge, private dining room

A look at the new building coming to the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office property

Developer withdraws zoning variance request for former 14th Street post office site

[Photo from 13th Street Saturday by Bobby Williams]

As noted yesterday, reps for the developers of 432-438 E. 14th St. were to appear before the Board of Standards and Appeals today to seek a variance on their mixed-use building between Avenue A and First Avenue.

However, before this morning's hearing, Benenson Capital Partners and Mack Real Estate dropped their application for the zoning variance, according to the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP).

Reps for the mixed-used building had been lobbying to receive a zoning variance for a 12-story building — four more floors than the area's zoning allows — at the site of the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office

Facing opposition from community groups and residents in previous meetings, the developers cut back their request by two-thirds. Their new proposal sought nine stories on the East 14th Street side of the building, one higher than the eight allowed under the current zoning.

The developers had claimed that the property "is burdened by a combination of unique conditions that result in practical difficulties in complying with the applicable zoning regulations."

The GVSHP was among the groups opposed to the zoning variance. GVSHP held a rally this morning with residents and union members before the hearing was to take place.

"This is a victory for the East Village and all New Yorkers who care about preserving our neighborhoods and ensuring that everyone plays by the same rules," GVSHP Executive Director Andrew Berman said in a statement. "We have reasonable parameters for the size and height of new developments in our neighborhood, which protects the East Village’s unique character. This developer showed no legal justification for being exempted from those rules."

The current approved plans on file with the city show an 8-story building with 114 residences (reportedly 23 affordable, 91 market rate) and ground-floor retail. The residential entrance to the building will be on 13th Street while access to the storefronts will be on 14th Street.

Updated: Town & Village has a recap here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office slated to be demolished

The former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office will yield to an 8-story residential building

New residential building at former 14th Street PO will feature a quiet lounge, private dining room

A look at the new building coming to the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office property

Developers reduce zoning variance request by two-thirds at 432-438 E. 14th St.

[Photo from 13th Street taken March 8]

As previously reported, reps for the new development at 432-438 E. 14th St. have been lobbying to receive a zoning variance for a 12-story building — four more floors than the area's zoning allows.

Per previous reports, the site of the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office between Avenue A and First Avenue "is burdened by a combination of unique conditions that result in practical difficulties in complying with the applicable zoning regulations."

There has been opposition to this variance. Last summer, Community Board 3's Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee issued a denial to the developers (Benenson Capital Partners in association with the Mack Real Estate Group).

Now, however, the developers have cut back their zoning variance request by two-thirds, according to the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP), one of the groups opposed to the new building's height.

Here's more from a statement that the GVSHP released yesterday:

The developers were seeking a more than 50 percent increase in the allowable height and a more than 25 percent increase in the allowable size of the planned development as compared to what the zoning allows for the site. But after GVSHP and dozens of neighbors turned out to oppose the zoning variance request at a Jan. 24 Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) hearing, this week the developer submitted a revised application slashing the requested height and bulk variances by two-thirds, in anticipation of the next BSA hearing on March 28.

The developer is now requesting a 14.5 ft. increase in the allowable height of the building (restricted by zoning to a maximum height of 80 ft.), to allow the building to rise up to 94.5 feet. This is down from the 44 ft. increase requested in January, which would have allowed the building to rise up to 124 feet.

The developer is also now requesting a 10,000 sq. ft. increase in the allowable size of the development (restricted by zoning to a maximum of size of 103,800 sq. ft.), to allow the building to contain 113,929 sq. ft. This is down from a 27,550 sq. ft. increase in allowable size of the development requested in January, which would have allowed the building to contain 131,350 sq. ft.

Despite the decrease, GVSHP officials said that "the application still fails to demonstrate that the existing zoning imposes a 'hardship' upon the developer, and still fails to show that the proposed enlarged development would not negatively impact neighborhood character."

Here's a look at the building from its previous 12-story proposal...



You can find the revised and reduced variance application submitted this week here ahead of the March 28 BSA meeting.

The current approved plans show an 8-story building with 114 residences (reportedly 23 affordable, 91 market rate) and ground-floor retail. The residential entrance to the building will be on East 13th Street... while access to the storefronts will be on East 14th Street.

The Peter Stuyvesant Post Office, which had operated since 1953, shut down in February 2014. Berenson has been the longtime landlord at the address.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office slated to be demolished

The former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office will yield to an 8-story residential building

New residential building at former 14th Street PO will feature a quiet lounge, private dining room

A look at the new building coming to the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office property

Developers pitching the city tomorrow for 4 more floors at former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office

[Rendering on the plywood on 14th Street]

As we first reported last May, reps for the new development at 432-438 E. 14th St. are lobbying to receive a zoning variance for a 12-story building — four more floors than the area's zoning allows.

Last summer, Community Board 3's Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee issued a denial to the developers (Benenson Capital Partners in association with the Mack Real Estate Group).

They'll make their case tomorrow afternoon before the city's Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to allow their planned development to be more than 50 percent taller than the zoning for the site allows. (Community Boards only have an advisory vote.)

Per previous reports, the site of the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office between Avenue A and First Avenue "is burdened by a combination of unique conditions that result in practical difficulties in complying with the applicable zoning regulations." (Groundwater has been an issue at other nearby development sites, such as 500 and 524 E. 14th St. Those developers did not seek a variance.)

Crews have been in the pit in recent months dewatering the foundation...





There is opposition to the expanded building from CB3 members, residents and community groups. Here's a statement via the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation:

Like local Community Board #3 and many residents, GVSHP opposes the proposal for the building as woefully out of context for this East Village site. We also believe that the arguments for the variance, claiming a “hardship” based upon “unique circumstances,” are bogus, and would open the floodgates to a slew of oversized developments on sites throughout our neighborhoods with similar conditions.

GVSHP reps will be attending the meeting, and have distributed flyers with information about the hearing (find more details here)...



The current approved plans show an 8-story building with 114 residences (23 affordable, 91 market rate) and ground-floor retail. The 12-story version would feature 155 units, with 31 marked as "affordable." The residential entrance to the building will be on East 13th Street... while access to the storefronts will be on East 14th Street.



According to public records, the developers paid the powerful lobbying group Kasirer $80,000 last year to work on their behalf with city officials...


[Click for detail]


[Click for detail]

Reps for the developers gave this statement to Town & Village:

“We have been a part of the Lower East Side community for decades,” the statement read. “Very early in this BSA process, we met extensively with the community, heard their issues and in some instances made changes based on their comments and recommendations. We look forward to the BSA hearing and the opportunity to be heard on the merits of our application and remaining a part of this community for many decades to come.”

The Peter Stuyvesant Post Office, which had operated since 1953, shut down in February 2014. (Berenson has been the longtime landlord at the address.) The USPS is currently leasing the former Duane Reade at 333 E. 14th St. for retail services.

Updated 1/25

DNAinfo has a report from the meeting here. The developer's reps will be returning to the BSA to answer more questions on March 22. The BSA did not vote on the variance.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office slated to be demolished

The former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office will yield to an 8-story residential building

New residential building at former 14th Street PO will feature a quiet lounge, private dining room

A look at the new building coming to the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office property

Report: CB3 wants alternatives for a larger 438 E. 14th St.

CB3 committee votes against height variance for new 14th Street development

[Photo from July 9]

Last month, reps for the new development at 432-438 E. 14h St. made their case for a zoning variance for a 12-story building — four more than the area's zoning allows — before a CB3 committee.

For their part, CB3's Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee asked the reps to return after "exploring alternatives to increasing building height and requesting a greater percentage of 'affordable' units," as DNAinfo reported at the time.

The North Avenue A Neighborhood Association, the 12th Street Block Association, the 13th Street Block Association, residents of 13th Street and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation made their case to deny the developer’s request for a variance at the site of the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office between Avenue A and First Avenue.

On Wednesday night, reps for the developer (Benenson Capital Partners in association with the Mack Real Estate Group) appeared again before the committee.

A neighborhood leader was in attendance and shared this:

"At the meeting they presented minor changes to the 14th Street façade, but did not alter the height or offer a detailed financial analysis for their need for the variance. They did not consider the committee's concerns about the physical characteristics of the building and residents' concerns about the small number of additional affordable housing units on the additional floors.

They were denied by a vote of 13-0 with 1 abstention.

As we first reported in May, the developers were asking for a variance because:

"Unusually elevated groundwater levels and exceedingly soft and unstable soil (owing to the presence of an underground stream) ... result in extraordinary construction costs, which make a complying development with affordable housing infeasible." (An analysis of the project put the extra construction costs due to the substandard soil at $8.8 million.)

The developers will next go to the city's Board of Standards and Appeals, though without any approval from the local Community Board.

Per the resident: "While not a victory yet as the BSA could still rule in their favor, it's a big step in stopping this out-of-scale development."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office slated to be demolished

The former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office will yield to an 8-story residential building

New residential building at former 14th Street PO will feature a quiet lounge, private dining room

A look at the new building coming to the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office property

Developers for post office-replacing project seek variance for a 12-story building

[Updated] Report: CB3 wants alternatives for a larger 438 E. 14th St.

Stuyraq Swim Club now ready for the season

[Extell Lake photo from December 2014]

On East 14th Street, Extell Lake between Avenue A and Avenue B is now just etched in our memories, visions of endless nights hanging out at Blarney Cove Cove and having fun despite not even enjoying local access yet to rolled ice cream.

The foundation work has taken care of the issues with the underground stream that fed the cleansing springs of Extell Lake.

However, through the miracle of nature, we can now head one block to the west for a new watering hole ... at the Stuyraq Swim Club ...


[Photo by Brett W.]

Work continues at the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office, where there are currently approved plans for an 8-story, 114-unit (23 affordable, 91 market rate) mixed-use building here... and workers have struck water.

Reps for the developers (Benenson Capital Partners in association with the Mack Real Estate Group) are lobbying to receive a zoning variance for a 12-story building. In an analysis of the plot, the developers note that "unusually elevated groundwater levels and exceedingly soft and unstable soil (owing to the presence of an underground stream) ... result in extraordinary construction costs."

Last week, Community Board 3's Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee tabled the a vote on the zoning variance, asking the reps to return with alternatives to increasing building height.

Meantime here, mud baths are available.

Reminders: Meeting tomorrow to discuss construction timeline at 432 E. 14th St.

We mentioned this in the post on Friday about the retail-residential building for 432-438 E. 14th St. at the former Peter Stuyvesant Post office...

Councilwoman Rosie Mendez and CB3 are hosting a public meeting with reps for the developer. The meeting is solely to discuss the impact of the construction on immediate neighbors. We're told that there will not be any further discussion about variance plans (from 8 to 12 floors), at this time ... the meeting is at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow (June 20) at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on 14th Street and First Avenue.

Flyers are up around the new development just west of Avenue A...

[Updated] Report: CB3 wants alternatives for a larger 438 E. 14th St.

[EVG file photo]

As we first reported on May 31, reps for the new development at 438 E. 14h St. are lobbying to receive a zoning variance for a 12-story building — four more than the area's zoning allows.

In an analysis of the plot, the developers said that they found "unusually elevated groundwater levels and exceedingly soft and unstable soil (owing to the presence of an underground stream) ... result in extraordinary construction costs." (Apparently those soil samples from September 2014 didn't reveal this.)

On Wednesday night, the reps made their case with Community Board 3's Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee. It did not go all that well, per DNAinfo's Allegra Hobbs:

“If you guys didn’t do your homework, I’m not sure why the community has to suffer for your error,” said Alexis Adler of the East 12th Street Block Association. “It is going to change the total character of our neighborhood….We’re losing affordable housing and people are being pushed out so you can put up taller buildings.”

Preservationists, residents and block association reps gathered at Community Board 3’s Land Use Subcommittee meeting on Wednesday to rail against the plan, arguing that the added height would alter the neighborhood’s character, while the added market-rate units would only threaten to displace longtime locals.

In the end, the committee reportedly tabled the vote and asked the reps to return after "exploring alternatives to increasing building height and requesting a greater percentage of 'affordable' units.'"

The property here near Avenue A in Stuyraq was home for years to the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office and long lines.

Updated 11:30 a.m.

On Monday, Councilwoman Rosie Mendez and CB3 are hosting a public meeting with reps for the developer. The meeting is solely to discuss the impact of the construction on immediate neighbors. There will not be any further discussion about variance plans, etc. ... the meeting is at 5:30 p.m. June 20 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on 14th Street and First Avenue.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office slated to be demolished

The former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office will yield to an 8-story residential building

New residential building at former 14th Street PO will feature a quiet lounge, private dining room

A look at the new building coming to the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office property

Christening a new neighborhood

Spotted this morning on the plywood along East 13th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue...



Welcome to Stuyraq!



This is at the site of the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office. There are currently approved plans for an 8-story, 114-unit (23 affordable, 91 market rate) mixed-use building here.

However, reps for the developers (Benenson Capital Partners in association with the Mack Real Estate Group) are lobbying to receive a zoning variance for a 12-story building. In an analysis of the plot, the developers note that "unusually elevated groundwater levels and exceedingly soft and unstable soil (owing to the presence of an underground stream) ... result in extraordinary construction costs." Read more about this here.

Officials from Stuyraq could not be reached for comment.

Thanks to EVG reader Daniel for the photos!

Renderings arrive as construction kicks in at 438 E. 14th St.

Construction activity has picked up in the last week-plus at 438 E. 14th St., site of the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office....



And along with this work ... the renderings have arrived on the plywood here between Avenue A and First Avenue... providing the first, official look at the new retail-residential building on the way in (and up)...







The plans show an 8-story retail-residential building via SLCE Architects featuring 114 units.

We couldn't find the information about the project at the website of Benenson Capital Partners, whose company has owned the East 14th Street property since the 1940s. In February, we found the following about the new building:

Benenson and the Mack Real Estate Group have formed a joint venture to develop a mixed-use residential and ground floor retail property in New York City's East Village. The 80/20 property will provide both market and affordable housing units. The property is located less than a block from the L train and within blocks of Union Square, which is one of New York's busiest subway stations. Construction is expected to begin shortly and end in late 2016 or early 2017.

In any event, this makes seven active construction sites in a span of several blocks...

• 100 Avenue A

• 438 E. 12th St. aka Steinerville

• Thirteen East + West on East 13th Street (with construction at No. 436 and 442)

• 500 E. 14th St. and 524 E. 14th St. (counting this as two sites)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office slated to be demolished

The former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office will yield to an 8-story residential building

New residential building at former 14th Street PO will feature a quiet lounge, private dining room

A look at the new building coming to the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office property