More details on the sale of 644 E. 14th St.

We noted last Thursday that there is renewed interest in the southwest corner of East 14th Street and Avenue C. Avison Young is now exclusively marketing the former auto-parts store with a lot of development rights, as Billy Gray first reported at the Commercial Observer.

Here's are a few more details about the property and sale, via EVG reader J-Dough, who recently came across the flyer...



Per the listing:

Based on the applicable C1-5 and C2-5 overlay in an R7-2 zoning district, the Property is a suitable candidate for redevelopment as a multitude of uses including residential, community facility and retail including potential logical uses serving the neighborhood such as dry cleaners, specialty food, pet store, day care facilities, doctor offices and veterinary offices.

The Site can accommodate a developable area of up to 34,764 square feet for residential, 65,689 square feet for community facility and 20,212 square feet for retail with a maximum square footage dictated by the community facility zoning floor area. In addition, there are potentially 70,000 square feet of unutilized development rights from the properties directly to the west of the parcel that, with a zoning lot merger, can be incorporated into the site.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development back in play for East 14th Street and Avenue C

Report: Loan dispute could be the end of the Yippies at 9 Bleecker St.

[EVG 2011]

More troubling news from 9 Bleecker St., longtime headquarters of the counterculture group and home of the Yippie Museum Cafe. As Colin Moynihan reported yesterday at The New York Times, Yippie leaders have been fighting an attempt by a lender to foreclose on their three-story home. Things took a turn for the worse last month "when a judge appointed a receiver to manage the building and collect rent."

Per the article:

In court documents, Steven L. Einig, a lawyer for a company called Centech, which holds the building’s mortgage, stated that Yippie Holdings, which bought Number 9 along with a nonprofit called the National AIDS Brigade, had failed for more than five years to make payments on the $1.4 million mortgage.

A lawyer for Yippie Holdings, John Diffley, said in an e-mail that his clients “were compelled into foreclosure with payments being rejected” by Centech as part of a scheme or plan to take over the building.

Read the whole article here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Yippie Museum Cafe is in financial trouble

So close to a full reveal at David Schwimmer's new East Sixth Street mansion

Several residents noted yesterday that workers stripped away most of the remaining plywood at 331 E. Sixth St., where the demolition and construction of David Schwimmer's new home is entering the 22nd month.


[Via an EVG reader]

Maybe we will have a rooftop BBQ here after all this summer.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Is David Schwimmer the 'Friends' star who now owns the demolished 331 E. Sixth St. townhouse?

Outrage over total demolition of historic East Sixth Street townhouse

Today's rain

Tompkins Square Park today by Bobby Williams.

Remembering Corey Capers 1 year after his death on 5th Street and Avenue C

There's a makeshift memorial on the southeast corner of East Fifth Street and Avenue C in honor of Corey Capers. The 31 year old died here last June 9 after being stabbed in the chest at a nearby party.

Last July, Carl Knox, 47, pleaded not guilty to a variety of charges in the alleged murder of Capers, including second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, assault and possession of a criminal weapon.

According to DNAinfo, Knox, who has also gone by the name Abdul Hakim, had a history of 26 prior arrests including an attempted rape and assault.

Capers, who lived in the Vladeck Houses, had a son and was engaged to be married.


[June 10, 2012]

Previously.

A rainy afternoon look at a Citi Bikes docking station

First, we promise not to post about a docking station every day.

Meanwhile! EVG reader Dan Scheffey noted the docking station on East 10th Street along Tompkins Square Park this afternoon ... one bike remaining on a shitty rainy day...

Several people have told us that this docking station has been a little buggy (or, "wildly dysfunction," as one person put it) ... For instance, on Saturday, when you tried to return a bike, the green light would not go on signaling that it was locked into the rack.

One Citi Bike user thought that he had safely locked his rental back in place here ... only to learn later that someone took it for a 7-hour joyride.

[Updated] Buying up the Bowery

Eleven mixed-use buildings on the Bowery between Canal and Houston were bought by an investor group for $62 million, The Wall Street Journal reported today. (Didn't spot the story online just yet. Read the brief here.)

The tenants include Pulino's "and a smattering of Chinese good stores." A Massey Knakal rep says that a lot of the tenants have leases expiring in the next few years ...

A family trust sold the portfolio to a group led by Joseph Betesh, whose family owns the Dr. Jays hip-hop clothing stores.

Douglas Elliman's Faith Hope Consolo says that the Bowery "is the place to be." She notes that current rents are $175 to $200 a square foot now... and if the lux boom continues along here, she predicts they will hit $325 in the next five years.

Updated 2 p.m.

A few more details from a Massey Knakal news release:

The properties are located at 83, 85, 88, 103, 105, 219, 221, 262, 276, 280, and 284 Bowery. The buildings total approximately 143,230 above grade square feet with all air-rights intact. The properties are not contiguous, but nine of the 11 buildings are paired with an adjacent property, excellently located between Houston and Canal Streets.

These properties have been family owned since the 1930s which presented a rare opportunity for Milestone Equities to acquire a portfolio with tremendous upside.

[Random Bowery storefront photo from 2012]

Applicants looking to take over the Odessa Cafe and Bar off June's CB3/SLA agenda

[Bobby Williams]

Well, as the headline says: The mystery applicants vying for the beloved Odessa Cafe and Bar on Avenue A are no longer on this month's CB3/SLA docket.



We've heard rumors for months now that the old Odessa was on its way out. Meanwhile, looks like you have a little longer to visit (or revisit) the place and, say, take in the movie star portraits hanging behind the bar...



And you never know who might be there.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Is the end nearing for Odessa Cafe and Bar on Avenue A?

Helpful flyer reminds residents what they can flush down the toilets in this East Village building

[Click on image to enlarge]

A reader shared this letter that the super dropped off over the weekend... seems as if residents in this building or using the toilets to flush stuff other than [censored] or, as some people crudely call it, [censored].

Other items mentioned in the flyer that should not be flushed: "Stolen government files, drug stashes, pet alligators or last night's leftover meatloaf."

The super/landlord then goes on to list exactly what can be flushed. "If what you're thinking of flushing does not meet the requirements of the above list, then do not flush it."



Kidding aside, probably a good reminder for some folks, like the ones I heard who discard their kitty litter via the toilet. Or the remains of the baby deep fryer.

As we wrote last year: Letters addressing what you can and can't flush down your toilet are always so... awkward.

See this 'rarely seen duplex' at 1 Avenue B

Well, I knew the units at 1 Avenue B on East Houston were nice... but not quite like this. The listing for the "rarely seen Penthouse One" is now on the market...

First, a little descriptive listing action via Douglas Elliman:

The fob-keyed elevator opens onto a private landing and gracious gallery foyer that leads into a stunning sun-filled great room boasting 19-foot ceilings, soaring floor-to-ceiling windows with electric shades, custom gas fireplace, Lutron lighting system and a 63" TV home theater system.

The entire main level is bordered by a beautifully landscaped 2,618 sf private wrap-around terrace with built-in hot tub, outdoor grilling station, and unmatched open sky views.

Additional features of the home include dual zone central HVAC and Humidification System, Brazilian walnut flooring throughout, laundry room with side-by-side Whirlpool washer/dryer and an abundance of storage space, and extensive security features. Enjoy endless summers dining under your Ipe pergola draped in wisteria or relish in the unparalleled views, light and space throughout the year.

... as you can see, there's even a painting that pays homage to the gas station that used to be on this corner...







Asking price: $5.95 million.

-----

Then!

[Via]

Now!

Crunch announces itself to the Bowery

As we first reported on May 31, Crunch is moving from its current home on Lafayette Street to the Bowery and East Fourth Street — specifically the retail space at 2 Cooper Square... The storefronts here have been vacant since the apartments hit the market in 2009 ...



And in other gym news... Crossfit East River opens today on East Ninth Street near Avenue C.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Crunch moving to the Bowery; CB3 OKs New York Sports Club on Avenue A

Cemusa newsstand now open for action on the Bowery

[Bobby Williams]

The Cemusa newsstand is now open on the Bowery at East Second Street... offering most of the comforts (cigarettes, 5-hour ENERGY® shots) of the nearby 7-Eleven, minus the GO-GO Taquitos® and Spicy Wing Zings, among other items.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Newsstand in the works for the Bowery and Second Street

The Bowery just got a little more bland

A Picnic for Second Avenue

Renovations continue over at 117 Second Ave. at East Seventh Street... And as you probably figured, Song 7.2, the Korean joint in the corner space, isn't returning. The place closed in early January for renovations, with a sign noting they'd be back open on Jan. 19. ... workers subsequently gutted the interior ...

Now signage has arrived for the new eatery here... a place called Picnic...



We don't know much about Picnic, other than that they will serve American comfort food like meatballs, sandwiches and macaroni and cheese, as the Local reported in April.

No word on who the owner is ...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Storefront renovation for 117 Second Ave.; last call for Song 7.2?

Puke Island 2013

In Tompkins Square Park this afternoon... Puke Island 2013... The Minor Cuts...



... and The Graveyard School...





And at the pop-up piano... some mindless bloodletting.



Photos by Bobby Williams.

Goggla has some photos here.

A run for Harold Hunter

In case you were wondering about the people running down St. Mark's Place tonight... then on East 10th Street... it is the 7th annual NYC Bridge Runners "Legends Never Die" run ... "The event pays homage to the late Harold Hunter, one of the city’s most beloved and admired skateboarders/actors/cultural pioneers."

Photo by Bobby Williams.

Catch of the day (night)

EVG Facebook friend Theresa Kimm shared this photo from last night... this fellow caught this (striped bass?) in the East River just south of the Williamsburg Bridge. "He was very happy that people stopped by to look at his prize."

'Witches Night Out' this afternoon in Tompkins Square Park

[Damn Broads via @nycfreeconcerts]

Just finding out that there's a free show in Tompkins Square Park this afternoon... wish I had known earlier... Via the Facebook invite:

Call it "The 'Anti' Punk Island", call it A WITCHES' NIGHT OUT takes over Tompkins Square Park, this, the third in an ongoing series of yearly free shows in Tompkins Square Park, this time brings you some of the best female fronted Punk around! BANDS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED!!!

2PM NO MORE VICTIMS
2:40 THE MINOR CUTS
3:20 AGITATOR
4PM DAMN BROADS
4:40 COJOBA
5:20 THE GRAVEYARD SCHOOL

And a report from our special Lawn Correspondent...

Loud punk show causes all sunbathers on grass to pack up and leave the park. Mohawks and wine coolers are not mixing well.
— Eden Brower (@edenbrower) June 9, 2013

Random Sunday afternoon Citi Bike docking station check

Zero bikes available at East 13th Street and Avenue A ... and two on East Ninth Street at Avenue C....

Week in Grieview

[Lafayette and Bond via a reader]

The Blarney Cove closing at the end of the month (Monday)

Workers start dismantling Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church (Wednesday)

Ben Shaoul buys 98 Avenue A (Friday)

Free movies returning to Tompkins Square Park (Monday)

Someone keeps vandalizing this Citi Bikes docking station (Wednesday)

A Low Life 7 recap from Tompkins Square Park (Monday)

Zoubi, famous East Village cat, needs dental surgery (Monday)

Danny Lama shares stories of the Fillmore East and the Toilet (Wednesday)

Facebook moving to 770 Broadway, aka Midtown South (Tuesday)

Development back in action for 14th and C (Thursday)

Captain America saves Kiehl's (Tuesday)

Church of Scientology members must see "After Earth" a minimum of 3 times (Thursday)

Looking at prices for the luxury apartments at former nursing home (Monday)

Betola Espresso Bar relocates to Brooklyn (Monday)

TREEMAN (Wednesday)

Where did he leave his shoes on Avenue B? (Thursday)

OK, gross (Wednesday)

Supercuts leaving St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

Peter Stuyvesant Post Office closure all but a done deal (Tuesday)

Former East Village topless advocate now in Philadelphia (Thursday)

... and, sorry, we did NOT have a story about the Nestle Nesquik Mobile parked on East Ninth Street yesterday ...


[William Klayer]

Tompkins Square Park Summer

Photo by Susan Schiffman

Joy awaits you on East Second Street

Hurry!

Spotted outside Le Petit Versailles near Avenue C.

RIP Arturo Vega

[Photo by Curt Hoppe from March 2013]

Arturo Vega, the artistic director for the Ramones who created their iconic logo, has died. He was 65. Legs McNeil first reported the death on his Facebook page:

RIP: ARTURO VEGA: 1948-2013 Sleep gently my dear friend, you were the must optimistic, jubilant and fun pal anyone could wish for. I don’t know what the world will be like without, nor do I want to even imagine it… But I know you will find eternal happiness wherever you end up….I love you Arturo.

No other details are available at the moment.

At least 1 participant in the World Naked Bike Ride took a Citi Bike

So today was the annual World Naked Bike Ride day... and EVG contributor peter radley took a few shots of the riders on Second Avenue ... and at least one pants-clad participant took advantage of the Cite Bikes bike share program for the ride.





Oh, and there's video too... via EVG reader Kevin...

Below the clouds

A relaxing afternoon at the New York Marble Cemetery

Open Day today at the New York City Marble Cemetery on East Second Street... Bobby Williams stopped by for a moment to check out the peaceful easy feeling...

'Roofstock' tomorrow at 6th & B Garden

There's a "raise the roof" party tomorrow afternoon from 1-6 at the 6 & B Garden on Avenue B and East Sixth Street...

Per the 6th and B Garden website:

The garden was struck by high winds during the hurricane which brought down our beloved six story tall willow tree which has been a centerpiece of our garden for almost 20 years. Also our stage which has been host to hundreds of free performances for the community lost sections of the roof which exposes it to rain and snow damage.

The willow was cut into pieces by garden members and neighborhood volunteers and the branches and leaves were removed by the NYC Parks Dept. Unfortunately the massive logs from the willow remain in the garden and our stage roof is still broken and must be replaced.

Garden members are raising money to buy materials to replace the roof... For tomorrow's event, several local restaurants donated food (Gruppo, Veniero's, Veselka, among others) ... and there will be music all afternoon... Suggested donation is $10.

Find more info on the Garden's website.

-----

After Sandy.

[Photo by Mat Gundell]

The New York City Marble Cemetery is open until 5 today on East 2nd Street

Per The New York City Marble Cemetery Facebook page:

We are open today! The rain stopped, the sun came out and the birds are singing. And the cemetery is looking extra green & lush. Come and explore the beautiful cemetery today between 11am 'til 5pm. (Well behaved dogs & children are welcome. Pack a blanket & a picnic, but we do ask that you don't bring frisbies & balls due to the delicacy of the stonework.) We very much look forward to seeing you.

East Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.