427 E. 12th St. back from the dead?

So that's what you look like! On Monday, workers removed the long-standing sidewalk shed in front of 427. E. 12th St. across from the East Side Community School...



And now...





There aren't any new permits for this space on file with the DOB. (In fact, all the work permits here have long expired.) Plans originally called for a six-story, 12-unit rental. When we last checked in here, back in November 2009, Massey-Knakal had just listed the pit space for $2.3 million. That listing is no longer active. One neighbor figures the presence of the porta-potty (Johnny on the Spot? Loader Up?) means the crew is there to clean out the hole...

A Building sidewalk shed sits and waits

Late last summer, workers erected a sidewalk shed outside the World Famous A Building on 13th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue... Per the DOB, there's a permit for the shed "for emergency repair to balconies."

Can't be that much of an emergency... we have yet to see any work take place on the balconies... as a walk by the other morning suggests...



Previously.

Outside Punjabi Grocery & Deli: Where are the cabs?

The East Houston construction project continues... apparently there's work to do on along East First Street too... the path between Avenue A and First Avenue has been a mess...




Something noticeable missing here: Cabs. Punjabi Grocery & Deli is, of course, a favorite stop for cab drivers to get tea and some affordable vegetarian food... not to mention use the restroom...



I'm not sure how long First Street will be a mess... I'm wondering what kind of impact this will have on Punjabi's business...




I was ready to duck inside the other day, and saw a healthy crowd inside ... enough to deter me from going in... the cab drivers seemingly just have to park a little further away for now...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Coming soon to East Houston: Construction, hell, rodent control stations

Long-threatened East Houston reconstruction starting this month

All is quiet on the East Houston Street construction front — so far

Speaking of East Houston Street.... Construction crews started their road work on the eastbound lanes on Houston below Essex on Oct. 13. As you'd expect, it's a noisy, messy scene... though I have yet to hear anyone talk about it... Something residents and motorists just have to put up with, so no sense in complaining about it?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Coming soon to East Houston: Construction, hell, rodent control stations

Long-threatened East Houston reconstruction starting this month

It has begun!

An EV Grieve reader notes that construction crews have starting their road work on the eastbound lanes on Houston below Essex this morning... No photographic evidence, though.... People! In any event, this roadway project should keep us in posts for the next, oh, 37 years.


Previously on EV Grieve:
Coming soon to East Houston: Construction, hell, rodent control stations

Long-threatened East Houston reconstruction starting this month

[EV Grieve file photo]

That WOOM.... WOOM... WOOM sound on Seventh Street

A reader reported a jarring sound — "like WOOM... WOOM... WOOM" coming from somewhere on Seventh Street between Avenue B and Avenue C...

Too much tuba from the Zum Schneider Octoberfest house band? Uh. No....

Just a construction working tossing bags of sand or something heavy from the fourth-floor fire escape into the dumpster on the street.

Sidewalk shed partially down on Seventh and A

Since March 10, workers have been repairing the facade on the building at Seventh Street and Avenue A... which meant a sidewalk shed for Yuca Bar and Ray's... Yesterday, workers removed the sidewalk shed on the Seventh Street side...





Still more time for shenanigans on A, though, near Ray's and the World Famous Pee Phone©.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Scaffolding to cover Ray's, Yuca Bar

Stop Work order for 16 Clinton St.

In early June, an EV Grieve reader brought word that workers were priming 16 Clinton St. for demolition... As the reader noted, the demolition would — among other things — displace Connie, the longest-term resident of the block, and its unofficial guardian.



However, the reader noted that there is a full Stop Work order now in effect...



In any event, according to the permit in process:

Alteration type 1
Demolish 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors existing rear building (Old law tenement) Cellar floor and foundation still remain

Previously on EV Grieve:
16 Clinton St. primed for demolition

Long-threatened East Houston reconstruction starting this month

During last night's Community Board 3 meeting, District Manager Susan Stetzer reported that the reconstruction of East Houston from the Bowery to the FDR will start this month. She noted that there will also be a traffic-lighting change at Houston and Avenue A. But! She said there would be traffic cops on duty to help expedite matters as best as they can. The construction work will be done in three phases... and there will also be a construction office to voice complaints!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Coming soon to East Houston: Construction, hell, rodent control stations

[EV Grieve file photo]

16 Clinton St. primed for demolition

An EV Grieve reader brings bad news about 16 Clinton St.



According to the work-crew foreman, the building is being primed for demolition, thereby — among other things — displacing Connie, the longest-term resident of the block, and its unofficial guardian. The large yard behind the building is being dug up in preparation for the two plots to be thrown together to create at least a six-story building, according to the reader.

No permits are on file with the DOB for 16 Clinton St. However, there is a stop-work order.... there have been six complaints in the last few days about work being done without a permit. Regardless, workers were still on the scene today....

Workers spotted at previously dormant 100 Third Ave.

I can't even recall the last time that I saw anyone working at 100 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street... until the other afternoon! Look! There's not one but two workers here!




Five stories are being added to the old four-floor tenement built in 1880. (A Fine Blog has more on the building's history here.)

Anyway, back in the fall, the city slapped a stop-work order here because... "BUILDING SHAKING/VIBRATING/STRUCT STABILITY AFFECTED."

Regardless, if you on a smoking break outside Bar None, then I'd consider standing elsewhere..

Previously on EV Grieve:
100 Third Avenue's lonely add-on

123 Third Ave. shows its yellow belly

Still no sign of that "coming soon" sales office, though... 14th Street and Third Avenue.

325 E. 10th St. facing year-long gut renovation

An EV Grieve reader and fourth-generation resident of East 10th Street told me that 325 E. 10th St. (a few doors west of the Tompkins Square Library branch) is now undergoing a year-long gut renovation...(and there's another building behind here that's only accessible through 325...)





And bicyclists here should be warned about the dumpster in the street...



The reader passed along the photo below...




Somehow, according to the sign, the year-long renovation here will make all of our lives better...

By the way, apartments in this building were on the market as summer rentals last year.

Stop Work orders issued at former hookah hotspot

We pointed out last week that illegal work was being done at the former Layaly space at 98 Avenue B.... On Saturday, we spotted the work continuing...



... and on Sunday, the city placed a "stop work order" on the property....

THE 2X 3 WOODEN MADE SCAFFOLDING IS UNSAFE IT IS SHAKY AND IN DANGER OF COLLAPSING. IT IS SHIFTING ERECTED 30FT HIGH WITH NO PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION. NO PERMITS POSSIBLE- CLR- CIVIL SERVANT CARPENTER

Previously on EV Grieve:
A rebirth of hookah hotspot Layaly?

Seventh and A gets the dreaded shed

As Matt Rosen first reported at Neighborhoodr on March 11, facade repairs were scheduled to start soon on the building at Seventh Street and Avenue A... and that scaffolding is now up....



As he noted, "While an aesthetic improvement to the exterior of one’s building might be welcome on most occasions, that the storefronts will now have to deal with scaffolding obstructing their entryways in the prime summer months in an already difficult environment for businesses in the area means they’re none too thrilled about the timing."





Well, people should be able to dine on the sidewalk at Yuca during a rainstorm now...



If anything, I imagine the scaffolding will also provide for some interesting photos in the months ahead by fellow bloggers Bob Arihood, Slum Goddess and Melanie ...

Beaming up on Fifth Street

A few weeks back Curbed dropped the details on what the new building will look like at 532 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B...Six floors and 10 units of glass and shine...



Now the steel is rising from the pit...



...and soon, the neighbors to the west of this property will lose their light and views...




Perhaps someone inside will document the coming darkness.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Demolition on East Fifth Street

On the way: A five-story apartment building for Fifth Street

Coming soon to East Houston: Construction, hell, rodent control stations

Nearly one year has passed since first hearing about the reconstruction of East Houston from the Bowery to the FDR. The plan calls for the widening of sidewalks, enlarging of medians, installating new pavement markings and bicycle lanes from Second Avenue to FDR Drive and creating two new plaza areas.

EV Grieve reader Elliot noted that some prep work has begun. For instance, the M21 stop on the northeast corner of Avenue A and Houston has been moved to the middle of the cab stand on First Street and Houston. "Really not a good place for a bus stop," he said. Indeed.




"Not looking forward to having the street all torn up like it's been further west on Houston for so long, but I guess it will be nice when it's done..."

The Lo-Down had a report last week on just what's happening here:

A sweeping reconstruction of Houston from the Bowery to the East River. In the second phase of a project that began on the West Side, the city will rebuild the entire street, including sewer lines, sidewalks and the roadway itself. They will also install new greenways and bike lanes. The work will begin in a few weeks and continue for three years. Expect lane closures, street closures and a lot of noise and dust. The Department of Design and Construction said they were committed to working with residents to minimize the inconveniences. They’re even installing "Rodent Control Stations."

Scaffolding to cover Ray's, Yuca Bar

At Neighborhoodr, Matt Rosen brings the news that scaffolding will be going up on the building at Avenue A and Seventh Street...



This means that the already-struggling Ray's Candy Store will be under cover of scaffolding the next five months or so.

As Rosen writes: "While an aesthetic improvement to the exterior of one’s building might be welcome on most occasions, that the storefronts will now have to deal with scaffolding obstructing their entryways in the prime summer months in an already difficult environment for businesses in the area means they’re none too thrilled about the timing.

"It’s not just Ray’s store that is affected, as his building has a rather large footprint. I can’t imagine Yuca Bar is too happy —- might scaffolding preclude them from setting up outdoor seating? Again, not the best timing. Not the biggest nuisance, but it certainly can’t be good for business…which is the last thing Ray or his neighbors need right now."

And this past Sunday morning outside Yuca...



[Top photo via Neighborhoodr]

East Fifth Street latest block to get an out-of-place metal-steel-glass box

Back in November 2008, we noted the destruction of the house at 532 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. Last summer, we learned that this lot would soon be home to a five-story, 10-unit apartment...

And now Curbed has the details on just what this complex will look like... prepare to burn your retinas...



According to Curbed:

The firm's web site also says the steel and concrete building (with metal balconies) is five stories, but our advanced math skills have us thinking it's more along the lines of six. After checking out the plans, our original tipster wrote back: "Six stories & ten units sounds reasonable, but that building is stylistically out of sync with the rest of the block. Reminds me more of the condos going up in Greenpoint."

Out of sync is right... this stretch of the East Village has always been one of my favorites...