A view to the west this evening via Bobby Williams...
Thursday, December 22, 2016
A London Calling tribute
Joe Strummer died 14 years ago today... and at the mural of the frontman for the Clash outside Niagara on Seventh Street and Avenue A, someone has left two candles and a London Calling (the cover shot at the Palladium on 14th Street) T-shirt in tribute...
Sen. Squadron calls for False Claims investigation against group who sold Rivington House for condos
State Sen. Daniel Squadron released a letter (see the PDF here) to letter to Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Corporation Counsel Zachary Carter urging an investigation into the Rivington House deed restriction removal and purchase by the Allure Group under the State and City’s False Claims Acts.
At the City and State level, the False Claims Act provides authority to take civil action against those that defraud the government. The City has indicated it was misled by the Allure Group during the deed restriction removal and sale of the Lower East Side nursing home.
“The closure of Rivington House stunned the community and highlighted major flaws in the process that governs deed restrictions,” he wrote. “The role of government is to protect the public interest and to be transparent; but that role is undermined if government is misled, as may have been the case at Rivington House. But, it is also vital that we hold those who violate the public trust accountable.”
The Daily News has more on Squadron's press conference from yesterday here.
In February 2015, the Allure Group paid $28 million for the property, promising that 45 Rivington — the former Rivington Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation — would remain a health facility. In November 2015, a city agency lifted the the deed in exchange for the Allure Group's $16 million payment to the city. Earlier this year, Allure then reportedly sold the property for $116 million to the the Slate Property Group, a condo developer who plans to create 100 luxury residences in the building that overlooks Sara S. Roosevelt Park.
Last summer, the Department of Investigation released the results of an inquiry, which didn't reveal any corruption, but rather inattention and incompetence by the de Blasio administration.
Previously
Taberna 97 is now open on St. Mark's Place
After several weeks in soft-open mode, Taberna 97 has officially opened its doors at 97 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue...
The owners (Eric Baker and sisters Patricia and Raquel Sanguedo, who also own the bar St. Dymphnas on the same block) are behind this venture, modeled after a traditional Portuguese taverna. (The Sanguedos are originally from Porto, Portugal. Baker and Patricia Sanguedo are married.)
Here's a look at the menu... they also have a beer-wine menu....
[Click to go big]
There was a long build-out here. The owners said that Taberna 97 was constructed to meet standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
The previous tenant, Yaffa Cafe, closed (in September 2014), in part, because the city deemed the back patio illegal after being in use as a dining area for 31 years.
As previously reported, there aren't any plans for the Taberna team to offer backyard dining. "Let me assure everyone involved that this has not been nor is it the case," Baker told us back in September. "Our plans for the garden involve landscaping and beautifying so it can be enjoyed from inside our space."
Taberna 97 is open Tuesday–Friday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Previously
Dahlia's Tapas Wine Bar has been dark of late
The cafe between Second Avenue and Third Avenue has not been open during posted hours in recent nights while the phone kicks into a generic message about not having a voicemail box (or voice mailbox) set up.
Its sister restaurant, Dahlia’s Fine Mexican Cuisine on Second Avenue at Fifth Street, was busted by the SLA after serving a reported 50 minors one night in January. The Mexican restaurant then closed in May.
The owners replaced it with 100% Healthy Blend (or maybe just Healthy Blend), which closed after three months.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Here comes the 2nd Avenue subway!
Well, sort of. @ImPaulGale shared this photo from the Second Avenue F stop this afternoon... showing MTA workers putting in new maps to reflect the Second Avenue Subway ... the new line, set to commence on Jan. 1, will bring Q train service to 63rd Street, 72nd Street, 86th Street and 96th Street.
Report of a fire last night at 96 St. Mark's Place
There was a report of a fire last night around midnight at 96 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue.
The initial @FDNY tweet went out at 12:12 a.m.
The all clear came at 1 a.m.
According to a building resident, the fire started on the first floor, with some damage in the basement and on the second floor. The Red Cross was on the scene and provided a temporary place to stay for displaced residents. The fire marshal is expected on the scene today.
This morning, the front door was propped open. The interior smelled like smoke.
The only remnant of a fire was a piece of charred wood...
Residents on the upper floors were allowed back in. Per the EVG reader: "It smells pretty acrid, so I'm bunking elsewhere for a few nights to try to let everything air out."
As of this morning, the tenants had yet to hear from their landlord.
And if the address is familiar... the cover of Led Zeppelin’s "Physical Graffiti" depicts the two buildings located at 96 and 98 St Mark's Place.
Updated
Several readers asked... both businesses here, Physical Graffitea and Xe May Sandwich Shop, are open...
Hey @evgrieve: several fire companies pulling hoses into buildings on St. marks between First and A. pic.twitter.com/Rl8VOVdxPO
— Julian Fleisher (@JulianFlei) December 21, 2016
The initial @FDNY tweet went out at 12:12 a.m.
MAN ALL HANDS 96 ST MARKS PLACE, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE 1ST FLR,
— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) December 21, 2016
The all clear came at 1 a.m.
MAN ALL HANDS 96 ST MARKS PLACE, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE 1ST FLR, UNDER CONTROL
— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) December 21, 2016
According to a building resident, the fire started on the first floor, with some damage in the basement and on the second floor. The Red Cross was on the scene and provided a temporary place to stay for displaced residents. The fire marshal is expected on the scene today.
This morning, the front door was propped open. The interior smelled like smoke.
The only remnant of a fire was a piece of charred wood...
Residents on the upper floors were allowed back in. Per the EVG reader: "It smells pretty acrid, so I'm bunking elsewhere for a few nights to try to let everything air out."
As of this morning, the tenants had yet to hear from their landlord.
And if the address is familiar... the cover of Led Zeppelin’s "Physical Graffiti" depicts the two buildings located at 96 and 98 St Mark's Place.
Updated
Several readers asked... both businesses here, Physical Graffitea and Xe May Sandwich Shop, are open...
[Updated] David Barton Gyms abruptly close
[Image via]
Gymgoers heading over to the David Barton Gym on Astor Place (and other locations) were surprised/shocked/pissed to learn that the facility is permanently closed.
The sign for gymgoers notes that they "ceased operations due to competitive market conditions."
Gym members received an email in the middle of the night, per one EVG reader:
An EVG reader shared this email that sent to members of Cyc Fitness, which had a studio inside the Astor Place David Barton...
David Barton, who opened the clubs in the early 1990s, reportedly stepped away from the business in 2013.
The Astor Place location opened in 2009. The space was previously a Barnes & Noble.
David Barton Gyms have yet to make any official announcement about the closure, per NewNowNext.
Here's the official statement via the company website:
“DavidBartonGym has discontinued operations at its locations in New York, Boston, Miami, Chicago, and Bellevue, Wash., effective immediately. All affected employees and clients are being notified.
However, all DavidBartonGym facilities in Los Angeles and Las Vegas and the Island Club & Spa in Honolulu will remain open and operating as usual. These locations are owned by a separate legal entity, Meridian Sports Club, LLC, and are in markets that are more favorable to the company’s business model. Clients and staff will see no changes.
The company deeply regrets this final action, but due to severe competitive pressures, particularly in New York, it has become impossible for these locations to continue. DavidBartonGym greatly appreciates the past patronage of its clients and support of its staff and training professionals.”
Reps for rival gyms were outside the Astor Place location today offering deals to now-former Dave Baron members, per DNAinfo.
Updated 10 p.m.
The Post reports that the closure left 369 gym employees without jobs in the city.
Out and About in the East Village 2016 in review
That's a wrap on Out and About in the East Village (OAAITEV, per the T-shirts) this year.
As always, many thanks to East Village-based photographer James Maher for his continued contributions. (The feature dates to Aug. 1, 2012.) And also thank you to Stacie Joy for filling in several times this year when James was traveling.
Meanwhile, we're looking forward to featuring more people who live and/or work in the neighborhood next year. For now, here's a look back at this year's profiles...
Jan. 13 — Spike Polite (part 1)
Jan. 21 — Spike Polite (part 2)
Jan. 27 — Leslie McEachern
Feb. 3 — Niall Grant
Feb. 10 — Kevin Cloutier
Feb. 17 — Rafael Hines (part 1)
Feb. 24 — Rafael Hines (part 2)
March 2 — Annie Ju and Melissa Scott
March 9 — Parker Dulany
March 16 — Shari Albert
March 23 — Brother Rasheim
March 30 — Jon R. Jewett
April 6 — 2016 recap to date
April 20 — Alan Good (part 1)
April 27 — Alan Good (part 2)
May 4 — Maria and Brisco
May 11 — John Ellert and Sam
June 1 — Ceasar Noel Soto
June 8 — Joe (part 1)
June 15 — Joe (part 2)
June 22 — Colette Pwakah (part 1)
June 29 — Colette Pwakah (part 2)
July 6 — London
July 13 — Roosmarijn van Kessel
July 20 — Anna Pastoressa
July 27 — Creaux
Aug. 10 — 4-year recap
Aug. 17 — John Von Hartz
Aug. 24 — Craig
Aug. 31 — Hal Hirshorn
Sept. 14 — Amy Sheridan
Sept. 28 — Boris Ryback
Oct. 5 — Jamey Poole and Rusty James
Oct. 19 — Michelle Candela
Oct. 26 — Grant Stitt
Nov. 2 — Candice Brewer
Nov. 16 — Eric Paulin (part 1)
Nov. 23 — Eric Paulin (part 2)
Nov. 30 — Henry Hills
Dec. 14 — Cara Bloch, Carmen Ruiz-Davila and Luella
A reveal at 222 E. 7th St.
The scaffolding and construction netting came down yesterday at 222 E. Seventh St., showing the new-look condoplex here between Avenue B and Avenue C...
[Photo by Dave on 7th]
Workers had gutted the previous, rather nondescript (see below) 4-story brick building ... and added two new floors.
In total, there will be eight condos inside, per work permits filed with the city.
When the new development first revealed itself in 2011, it was named the rather jaunty Villa Capri, set to be ready in 2012. Not sure if that's still the name plan. We haven't seen any details about pricing or amenities for the new homes just yet.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Villa Capri condos coming to Seventh Street
[Updated] Work underway on the new residential conversion on East 7th Street
Bringing down 222 E. 7th St. brick by brick
[The old-looking No. 222]
[Photo by Dave on 7th]
Workers had gutted the previous, rather nondescript (see below) 4-story brick building ... and added two new floors.
In total, there will be eight condos inside, per work permits filed with the city.
When the new development first revealed itself in 2011, it was named the rather jaunty Villa Capri, set to be ready in 2012. Not sure if that's still the name plan. We haven't seen any details about pricing or amenities for the new homes just yet.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Villa Capri condos coming to Seventh Street
[Updated] Work underway on the new residential conversion on East 7th Street
Bringing down 222 E. 7th St. brick by brick
An Urban Etiquette Sign about smoking indoors
An EVG reader woke up yesterday to find this note on the door of the building... located on Third Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...
The letter writer is asking fellow residents not to smoke inside:
Second hand smoke is a risk to health, and the smell of cigarettes easily travels from one apartment to the next in this building.
At the very least, open your windows so LESS smoke enters neighboring units.
Thoughts (about the note)?
Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader mailbag: What do I do about my new neighbors who smoke pot all the time? (80 comments)
Out East bringing a coastal taste of Long Island to 6th Street
[EVG photo from August]
As we first noted back in the summer,, veteran restaurateur Peter Kane (Bowery Meat Company, Stanton Social, Essex & Beauty, etc.) is opening a two-level restaurant called Out East on 509 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.
Reps from Out East, whose team includes chef Tim Meyers (Charlie Bird) and Anthony Serignese (formerly of Beauty & Essex and Stanton Social), released more details about the venture.
As Eater noted:
Out East will serve "New American fare with influences from the coastal regions of Long Island." It’s largely inspired by the beach, which is the partners’ "preferred downtime destination."
Apparently the restaurant will be a spot for any New Yorkers who want to leave the city but do not want to actually go to Long Island: "Out East is the stylish, coastal cosmopolitan, downtown dining destination that transports guests away from the city for a night."
Well, it's really a quiet block for a downtown dining destination. Apparently some neighbors are cool with this: According to CB3, there were 52 signatures of support from area residents when the full liquor license went up for approval last July.
In any event, Out East will have a seafood-centric menu with a raw bar. Out East is expected to open next month.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Out East quietly announces itself on 6th Street
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