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.

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]

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

[Updated] Police make arrest in shooting outside the Hells Angels HQ on 3rd Street

[Pic from Dec. 13 by Event Photos NYC]

Police have arrested a 52-year-old Bronx man for a shooting that occurred early on Dec. 11 outside the Hells Angels clubhouse, the Daily News reports.

The Post names the suspect in custody as Anthony Iovenitti. Police sources have alleged that he shot Valley Stream resident David Martinez, 25, in the stomach during a late night/early morning fight outside the clubhouse between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Police said that the fight began after Martinez exited his friend's Mercedez-Benz to move an orange parking cone so that the car could pass a livery driver stopped on the street. This prompted a confrontation that ended with the shooting.

According to a previous report in the News, police were looking for a suspect who wore a hat with the word "dad" on it. Both the Daily News and the Post reported that the members of the Hells Angels had not been cooperating with the NYPD's investigation.

In a fairly large operation last Tuesday, police, armed with an Environmental Control Board Summons, shut down the street and removed two Hells Angels-branded planters, a bench and a ramp from outside the HQ.

Updated 12/21


[Pool photography via the Daily Mail]

Iovenitti (pictured above) was arraigned on assault charges, according to published reports.

Per DNAinfo:

Iovenitti, who has seven prior arrests, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon, police said. He was ultimately arraigned on the assault and criminal possession charges, according to a criminal complaint.

Iovenitti was also reportedly arrested in October for another fight over a parking spot.

According to the Daily Mail, "Martinez's colon was severed by the bullet, which became lodged in his spine."

And:

He has been recovering in the hospital but was reportedly too scared to speak to police amid fear of reprisals from Hells Angels.

Defense lawyer Ron Kuby said today during the arraignment that "Martinez as the aggressor."

From the Daily News:

“This was not the cone wars,” Kuby told Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Lyle Frank. “(Martinez) grabs a chain from the Mercedes. He starts swinging the chain.”

Kuby also criticized the cops for ripping open Christmas presents in Iovenitti’s upstate home in a search that “caused mayhem in the apartment.”

And from the Post:

Iovenitti is a “prospect” with the notorious motorcycle club, a step away from becoming a full-fledged member.

He was released on $25,000 bail and is due back in court Friday.

Dancer in the trash

Seventh Street and First Avenue this morning via Derek Berg

Another day, another gas-service issue

Another day, another gas-service issue with a building managed by AJ Clarke, this one on Seventh Street, and "just in time for Christmas," per an anonymous reader who shared this notice dated yesterday...



Yesterday, we noted an AJ Clarke building on Ninth Street where tenants were left without gas for cooking. Here, the heat and hot water were also shut off, though management hopes to get it back on "within a day or two." However — "the process to restore the cooking gas service is long and arduous."

Residents in the Ninth Street building were told they would be given credit for the purchase of a hot plate.

And here? "No mention of any hot plate reimbursements, heater reimbursements, takeout stipends, or the like," said the reader.

According to Streeteasy, the average rent in this Seventh Street building is $3,300 a month.

Construction watch: 11 Avenue C

Crews have starting digging in and pile-driving at the triangular lot (the former Mobil station) between Houston Street, Avenue C and Second Street...





...where the city OK'd plans for a 10-story, mixed-use building with 46 residential unit on Dec. 5. The rendering, first revealed back in the fall, is now on the plywood...



Rotwein + Blake are the architects of record. Here's more about the all-new 11 Avenue C via their website:

The narrow triangular site, presented numerous challenges from its odd shape to zoning constraints, Rotwein+Blake crafted a well thought-out solution to maximize potential development opportunity for the client. At ten stories, the building will have 4,600 SF of ground level retail, 46 residential apartments and a landscaped roof terrace.

The buildings retail component engages the more lively Houston Street side on a pedestrian level, with an abundance of storefront glass, awnings and stone details, while the residential entrance on 2nd Street, creates a more private and embracing gesture. The brick and zinc façade blend a modern twist to a historic warehouse style, reminiscent of the now, chic residential adaptive reuse projects of Soho and Tribeca.

The rendering states the project's completion date as March 2018.

Previously on EV Grieve:
You have a little longer to get gas on Avenue C

Plans filed for new 9-story building at site of Mobil station on East Houston and Avenue C

State seizes Mobil station on Avenue C and Houston for nonpayment of taxes

New residential building for former Mobil station lot will be 10 floors with 0 zero affordable units

A look inside the last East Village gas station

Verizon Wireless takes over former Verizon Wireless storefront on 2nd Avenue

Back in April, the Verizon Wireless outlet on Second Avenue at St. Mark's Place closed after nearly three years here.

After several months on the rental market... the for lease sign came down and renovations commenced ... and yesterday, signs went up in the window showing the new tenant — Verizon Wireless...



H/T Steven

A new era for outdoor group fitness on 9th Street

EVG reader Moe spotted this scene today on Ninth Street at Third Avenue... likely the treadmills for the incoming Orangetheory Fitness here at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star.

Noted

Spotted on 11th Street and Avenue A... and unrelated to this note, we've heard from several residents about someone stealing packages this holiday season from their lobbies/entryways...because residents either don't close the door behind them or buzz any rando in...

Photo via Shawn Chittle

An explanation about the disruption in gas service

You hear enough stories about gas service for cooking being shut off for months at a time around here (examples here and here and here).

The landlord (AJ Clarke RE) provided residents at this East Ninth Street building (Super Eddie's!) with an explanation of what was happening ... with a timeline when things might be back in service... and why it could take so long:

So, with the gas shut off and the risers not passing the pressure test (most buildings in NYC, unless fairly new, will not pass the test), it is going to be probably several months until the cooking gas is turned back on. This is due to the procedure that has to follow: Proposals have to be given for the re-piping, permits have to be applied for, the actual work has to be done, and the most time consuming part of the puzzle: DOB & Con Edison inspections.

The explanation is more than some residents in other buildings receive (silence) ... some residents I've talked to in the past feel as if landlords need to do more for tenants than provide (or pay for) a hot plate. Maybe a little $$$ for some take out.

H/T Steven

Previously on EV Grieve:
How much of a rent discount for not having gas for cooking?