Here's the 1st look at the new building proposed for the 2nd Avenue explosion site

This coming Monday, CB3's Landmarks Committee will review an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the new residential building proposed at 119-121 Second Ave. — the site of the deadly gas explosion site from March 2015.

Ahead of that meeting, CB3 has posted the 39-page application on its website. (PDF here.)

The materials include renderings via Morris Adjimi Architects of the proposed building...






[View from along 7th Street]

As previously reported, Shaky Cohen's Nexus Building Development Group filed plans in February for the development.

According to the Nexus website, 119-121 Second Ave. "is a high-end condominium building ... with seven floors including 21 apartments and a retail space. Residential units are one, two and three bedrooms."

Cohen paid $9.15 million for the empty lots at No. 119 and 121 between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

In a previously recorded transaction, Ezra Wibowo paid $6 million for the adjacent property at 123 Second Ave. A source told the Post in March 2017 that this was a long-term investment. "He’s not in a rush to build or develop."

The lot sits within the the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District. CB3's committee will hear the proposal before it eventually continues on to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. (The CB3 meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. on Monday at Grace Church School, 46 Cooper Square.)

The meeting notice arrived on the fence at the property yesterday...


[Photo by Chris Rowland]

Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa died in the explosion on March 26, 2015. The defendants in the case, including Maria Hrynenko, the former owner of No. 119 and 121, are expected to go to trial in September.

Previously.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner

Dedicating Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa Way on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street

Soil testing underway at the 2nd Avenue explosion site

Help for Juan Carlo, the flower vendor at Bueno East Mart on Avenue A

This flyer was posted in a residential building on Third Street near Avenue A.


[Click to go big]

According to the flyer, Juan Carlo, who works overnight selling flowers at the Bueno East Mart on the southeast corner of Third Street and Avenue A, was "brutally beaten up by two assailants" early Saturday morning.

"He sustained a broken nose and lacerations to his face and arm. Several hours later — because he didn't want to leave his station unattended — he made his way to Beth Israel."

Neighbors have started a fund to help with his medical bills. There's a donation jar now at Mary O's, the Irish bar-restaurant at 32 Avenue A between Third Street and Second Street.

Updated 5 p.m.

Patch reports that Carlo was trying to stop the two men from stealing flowers. The suspects reportedly punched Carlo and slammed him to the ground.

H/T Carl Bentsen

Last day for 'The Three Rhinos' on Astor Place

After nearly three months on Astor Place, it's time for "The Last Three" sculpture to move on.

Australian artists Gillie and Marc Schattner will be moving their 17-foot bronze sculpture, which arrived here on on March 15, later tonight.

The Schattners recreated the last three Northern White Rhinos – Sudan, Najin, and Fatu – "to inspire, educate and mobilize the global community to raise their voices and affect real change against illegal rhino poaching trade." (Shortly after the sculpture's unveiling, the BBC reported that Sudan had died.)

Visitors to the sculpture were encouraged to leave a goodbye message ... with the artists hoping to collect 1 million messages worldwide to "put them toward a petition for approaching governments about eliminating the demand for rhino horns through education." You can read more about the project here.



The sculpture had its fans... for example...

❄️ Snow begins to cover "The Last Three" rhino sculpture located in Astor Place, New York City on April 2, 2018. The incredible 17-foot-tall interactive artwork is being created to raise critical awareness about rhino conservation. (Photo: Gordon Donovan) #GOODBYERHINOS pic.twitter.com/ZfP498efaF

— Gordon Donovan (@gordonovan) April 2, 2018

Cool new artwork on Astor Place #nyc. “The Last Three”, highlighting the threat of extinction which looms over rhinos. pic.twitter.com/z3z7cIAUU9

— NYU Primatology (@nyuprimatology) March 25, 2018

Upon its unveiling, New York magazine art critic Jerry Saltz wrote that "it is an ugly, bathos-filled folly that proves my adage that 95 percent of all public sculpture is crap. ... It’s like a Vegas acrobatic act."

In any event, the sculpture won't be going too far: the Schattners will be moving it to a yet-to-be-disclosed new location in NYC.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A sneak preview of the world's largest rhino sculpture, coming to Astor Place early next year

World's tallest rhino sculpture arrives on Astor Place this week

The rhinos have arrived on Astor Place

6 months of inactivity at 75 1st Ave.

The new development site at 75 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street has remained dormant since the DOB issued a Stop Work Order here back on Jan. 11.



The DOB complaint from January notes "no protection for pedestrians." (Several EVG readers have also noted how dicey this stretch is for cyclists too.)



However, it appears there will be some work starting up here again soon... the city recently rescinded part of the Stop Work Order in order for workers to relocate the pedestrian walkway...





Despite the slow-going here with construction, the sales phase commenced last August for what will be an 8-floor, 22-unit condoplex. The four units on the market are asking between $1.79 million and $2.25 million.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Developer: A shorter building in the works now for 75 First Avenue

High-rise for 75 First Avenue back in play

Long-stalled First Avenue site now has a brand-new rendering

Report: Long-dormant 1st Avenue development site changes hands

Plywood report and the future of 75 1st Ave. (Spoiler: condos)

Sales underway for Rite Aid-adjacent condoplex on 1st Avenue

Monday's parting shot

Lola Sáenz shared this late-afternoon photo from deep in the forest of Tompkins Square Park...

News roundup: Feds say that the NYCHA covered up public housing dangers for years

BREAKING: In a blistering new report, Feds find NYCHA managers lied for years about squalid conditions; City agrees to pay $2 billion and appoint a federal monitor https://t.co/wihP4BFBGL via @NYDNGregSmith pic.twitter.com/dMv6k50sKA

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) June 11, 2018

Here are some excerpts from today's news coverage about how the city reportedly covered up dangerous public health conditions at NYCHA properties for the past eight years.

Via The New York Times:

The federal government on Monday delivered a withering rebuke of New York City’s housing authority, accusing officials of systematic misconduct, indifference and outright lies in the management of the nation’s oldest and largest stock of public housing.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said the authority, which houses at least 400,000 poor and working-class residents, covered up its actions, training its staff on how to mislead federal inspectors and presenting false reports to the government and to the public about its compliance with lead-paint regulations. The failures endangered tenants and workers for years, the prosecutors said, and potentially left more children than previously known poisoned by lead paint in their apartments.

Via Politico:

The report concludes a two-year investigation into one of Mayor Bill de Blasio's biggest managerial failings.

De Blasio signed a consent decree with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan that commits the city to $1 billion over four years and $200 million in subsequent years to fix dire conditions throughout the housing authority's 325 complexes.

In doing so, he took more ownership of an agency whose head he appoints but which is legally a responsibility of the federal government. Any changes will be made under the watch of a federally appointed monitor.

Via NBC 4:

As a result of the settlement, NYCHA will now have to create three new departments: one for compliance, one for environmental health and safety, and one for quality assurance.

Via the Post's coverage of the news conference with Mayor de Blasio:

When a New York Times reporter suggested the mayor had been forced to sign the decree by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, rather than agreeing to it willingly, Hizzoner blew up.

“It was not forced, it was a decision, my friend. Seriously my friend, you represent a rather prestigious journalistic entity. Do not put words in someone’s mouth. That’s really not cool,” the mayor said. “I was not forced for a minute. I had the choice if I wanted to do something different to do something different. So really try and respect the truth.”

Earlier in the day, de Blasio issued a statement blaming NYCHA’s problems on "decades" of underfunding by the federal and state government, and "neglect" by prior city administrations.

You may read the consent decree here ... and the complaint here.

Noted

The IHOP-IHOb reveal occurred this morning.

Here's USA Today:

IHOP announced that it was changing its name to "IHOb," with the “b” denoting burgers. The change is not permanent, a company spokeswoman said, but rather is a move to promote its new burger line.

Known for its pancakes, the newly dubbed IHOP is releasing seven Ultimate Steakburgers as part of its rebranding effort — all the while keeping its breakfast items on the menu.

Unfortunately, the name change didn't go the way that some people wanted...

International House Of Brian Eno https://t.co/u54UfQgDLK

— Brian Eno (@BrianEnoMusic) June 10, 2018

Lancelotti Housewares expands on Avenue A

Some positive small-business news to share ... Lancelotti Housewares, which opened in 1996, has expanded into the recently vacated adjacent space at 66 Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. The new space debuted this past Friday...

A post shared by Lancelotti Housewares (@lancelottinyc) on Jun 8, 2018 at 12:46pm PDT

And earlier...

SO EXCITED to announce that our little store is growing!! Stay tuned for more info! 🔨👷‍♀️🌈🎉 #shopsmall #eastvillage #avenuea #housewares

A post shared by Lancelotti Housewares (@lancelottinyc) on May 26, 2018 at 10:08am PDT

The space next door became available when Mast Books moved to the corner at Fifth Street.

The 7 restaurants that have closed on the Bowery in the past year

This past weekend, the owners of Hecho en Dumbo (b. 2010) and Cherche Midi (b. 2014) shut down their respective restaurants.

This makes, since last spring, seven restaurant closings on (or near!) the Bowery between Fourth Street and just south of Houston. Other recent casualties:

• L'Apico (b. 2012), 13 E. First St. in the Avalon Bowery complex.

• DBGB (b. 2010), 299 Bowery


[The former Wise Men]

• Wise Men (b. 2013), 355 Bowery

• Agozar! (b. 2002), 324 Bowery

• Paulaner Brauhaus (b. 2013), 265 Bowery



There was also Rebelle (b. 2015) at 218 Bowery just south of Prince Street.

In any event, there weren't any reasons provided for the closures. DBGB chef-owner Daniel Boulud told this to The New York Times: "In this location, it’s busy on weekends but erratic in the early part of the week."


[The memory of DBGB lives on in Extra Place]

There are, of course, plenty of other places to drink and dine along here, starting at Fourth Street and down to Houston — BBar and Grill, Phebe's, the Bowery Market, Great Jones Cafe (close enough), Gemma, the Wren, Sorbillo Pizzeria, Bar Primi, Think Coffee, Saxon & Parole, 310 Bowery Bar, Sláinte, Bowery Meat Company, Baar Baar and the food court at Whole Foods Market® Bowery. Perhaps there are just too many choices.

Wax off: Mr. Moustache has closed on 14th Street

Mr. Moustache has closed its (his?) doors here on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

The cafe sold coffee, teas and desserts, opening in the spring of 2016.

The space was home for years to Russian Souvenirs, which closed in July 2015 following a rent increase.

And I wonder where that Russian Souvenirs sign is now?

Thanks to Pinch for the photo and tip!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Wax on: Mr. Moustache Coffee Shop signage arrives on East 14th Street

The former Russian Souvenirs will become a coffee shop on East 14th Store

A Stop Work Order at 118 E. 1st St.

Back on Friday, workers slapped a Stop Work Order on the plywood at 118 E. First St. near Avenue A.

There was a meeting of the hard hats behind the plywood...



Eventually, the work order was rescinded...



... though the only work allowed for now is, per the paperwork, "emergency remedial work at rear exposure to install bracing."





There is a complaint on file with the DOB stating that the excavation work is causing an adjacent building to shake, and cracks have developed.

No. 118 will eventually yield a 9-story residential building with seven residences and a retail space. We had the first look at the rendering back on May 4.

Previously on EV Grieve:
118 E. 1st St. arrives on the market with so many possibilities, and air rights

118 E. 1st. St. will yield to a new 9-floor residential building

Demolition of 118 E. 1st St. begins to make way for 9-story residential building

Construction starts at 118 E. 1st St., future home of a 9-floor residential building

Here's what the new condoplex at 118 E. 1st St. will look like

Silky Kitchen set for 13th Street

A new restaurant is coming to 137 E. 13th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

The owners are on tonight's CB3-SLA committee agenda for a new beer-wine license. However, given the method of operation and the fact that the owners agreed to CB3's stipulations, this item will not be heard in front of the committee.

There's not much information on the applicant's questionnaire posted on the CB3 website (PDF here) other than the name — Silky Kitchen.

Silky Kitchen's method of operation is described as a "Chinese food restaurant." Their hours will be 9 a.m. to midnight daily.

The space was previously home to Mandolino Pizzeria, which closed in March after 14 months in business.

Plywood comes down at under-renovation Tarallucci e Vino

Back on Friday we noted that Tarallucci e Vino remained behind the renovation plywood on First Avenue and 10th Street during renovations... work was apparently a little behind schedule.

However, this past weekend, EVG regular Lola Sáenz shared these photos of the space after workers removed the plywood.



Still no word on a reopening date. The cafe, which opened in 2001, has been out of service since February.

UPDATED: The cafe reopened on June 12.

About halfway there at the incoming Moxy East Village

Looks as if workers are up to about the sixth floor here on 11th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue...



When complete some day, this will be a 13-story, 285-key hotel for Marriott's Moxy brand.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A few more details about the incoming Moxy East Village on 11th Street

Week in Grieview

[Last night's sunset from 3rd and B]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

New state legislation aims to combat predatory equity (Tuesday)

Council Member Carlina Rivera introducing bill that would fine Airbnb for undisclosed listings (Thursday)

RIP Anthony Bourdain (Friday)

Here's Lady Jday's Sing For Hope piano that will be in Tompkins Square Park the next few weeks (Tuesday)

The latest I Am a Rent-Stabilized Tenant (Thursday)

Hecho en Dumbo is closing after 8 years on the Bowery (Monday)

This week's NY See (Thursday)

End is nearing for the businesses on the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place (Monday)

Tokuyama Salon Cafe now serving coffee and croissants on 6th Street (Wednesday)

Demolition permits filed to bring down former Lucky Cheng's building on 1st Avenue (Monday)

Third Street Music School's free noontime summer music series starts (Wednesday)

Cherche Midi makes closing official (Saturday)

1st glass: 80 E. 10th St. shows off its floor-to-ceiling windows (Wednesday)

Mast Books now open in its new corner space on Avenue A (Friday)

Emmy Square signage arrives at the former Three of Cups (Monday ... Thursday)

Suki to sell sushi from 7th Street (Thursday)

It's 2 a.m., do you know where your potato pancakes are? (Wednesday)

Corner space on 7th Street and Avenue B for rent as Jillery wraps up its business (Monday)

New retail space hits the market at 116 St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

Wet plate photography in Tompkins Square Park (Monday)

A record payday for an East Village walk-up co-op (Tuesday)

Tarallucci e Vino East Village remains closed for renovations (Friday)

Hot pot switcheroo on 2nd Avenue (Tuesday)

That's all for Lucky's Famous Burgers on East Houston (Friday)

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The Post notes that Christo 'has gone from sugar daddy to baby daddy'

The Post continues to keep tabs (like here and here) on that hunky red-tailed hawk Christo ... today's feature, on Page 3 in the paper, begins:

Tompkins Square Park’s biggest tail chaser has gone from sugar daddy to baby daddy.

The red-tailed Romeo named Christo — who was servicing three lady hawks at once — is now the proud father of at least two hatchlings with his second and most recent side chick, Amelia.

The eggs arrived on April 25 ... and Goggla got the first glimpse of one of the hawklets last week.

Here's a photo via Steven of one of the hawklets from early this week...



... and here's Christo dropping off some dinner...



Goggla has more photos here. And as she notes: "All seems well so far with this new hawk family."

3 things to do today

Via the EVG inbox...

• Learn how to brew Kombucha (black tea and sugar) and Jun (green tea and honey), La Plaza Cultural, Ninth Street and Avenue C, 3-5 p.m. Details here.

• Eric Paulin Jazz in the Garden, Green Oasis Community Garden & Gilbert's Sculpture Garden, Eighth Street between Avenue C and Avenue D, 2-5 p.m. Details here. [UPDATED: The concert has been cancelled due to the threat of rain]

• Costume Making for the Mermaid Parade, Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space, 155 Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street, 1-4 p.m. Details here.

Saturday's parting shot

First Street near First Avenue this morning...

Sunday afternoon in Tompkins Square Park: Puke Island Part 8

And the bands tomorrow ...

2 p.m. — Methlab
2:45 — Project 872
3:30 — Silence Equals Death
4:15 — Baelfire
5 — Point Blank

More info here.

Cherche Midi makes closing official

It’s been an amazing four years. Come join us for one final toast this weekend, we will remain open through this Sunday, June 10th.

A post shared by Cherche Midi (@cherchemidi_nyc) on Jun 8, 2018 at 4:05pm PDT

Cherche Midi, Keith McNally's French brasserie on the southwest corner of the Bowery and Houston, has officially announced — via Instagram — that it will close after service tomorrow.

Until now, it was a foregone conclusion that they'd be shutting down after four years in business. In March, Patch reported on a state filing announcing that the restaurant would be laying off its 46 employees on June 11.

A rep for Cherche Midi later confirmed a summer close to Grub Street, though didn't provide an exact date.

And as first reported in April, a listing for the space arrived at RKF...


[Image via RKF]

However, this listing has since been removed. (Leased?)

McNally, who also runs the Odeon, Balthazar, Minetta Tavern and Augustine in the Beekman Hotel, opened Cherche Midi in the summer of 2014 ... taking the place of his Pulino's Bar and Pizzeria, which apparently helped triple the rents of its neighbors.

In other Bowery closings, Hecho en Dumbo ends its eight-year run at 354 Bowery after service this evening.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Cherche Midi looks to be closing on the Bowery

Cherche Midi space on the market for new retail development on the Bowery at East Houston

Late spring cleaning for Samuel S. Cox in Tompkins Square Park

Thanks to EVG reader Sparber for these photos from Thursday... in which the Samuel S. Cox statue on Seventh Street near Avenue A in Tompkins Square Park gets a touch up heading into the summer...



Here's some history of the statue via the Parks Dept.:

After the statue’s unveiling on Independence Day 1891, the New York Tribune noted, somewhat less charitably, that Cox’s “usually genial countenance is strained” and “out of harmony” with the Congressman’s natural demeanor. “The likeness is not a good one, and the facial resemblance is hardly suggestive,” the article added. A New York Times account of the ceremony questioned whether the statue “will ever be greatly admired as a work of art.” Nevertheless, a reported 2,500 letter carriers came from as far away as New Orleans and Memphis to participate in the moving ceremony to honor Cox at the statue’s unveiling.

The statue originally stood near Cox’s home on East 12th Street at the intersection of Lafayette Street, Fourth Avenue, and Astor Place. In November 1924, due to a street-widening project in the vicinity of Astor Place, it was moved to its current location at the southwest corner of Tompkins Square Park.

At the time of the statue's arrival in Tompkins Square Park, several EVG readers questioned the wisdom of this placement, noting Cox's past as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and his status as a native Ohioan. A few readers were also concerned about the street-widening project at Astor Place, with one noting the area would soon become "Lower Manhattan North" and "a playground for even more aristocrats!"

Cowboy up on A

Over on Avenue A yesterday, Solus (via the L.I.S.A Project NYC) started work on the above mural here between Third Street and Fourth Street...

And today...



This retail space has sat empty since the Citibank branch closed in January 2017.

And how the space was looking before the cowboy mural arrived...



H/T The Dusty Rebel!

Today, on 3rd Avenue, a street festival

Indeed. From 14th Street to Sixth Street.

At this hour, belts were the only thing available for purchase...



Other vendors were still setting up the tents and putting together the mannequins...



... and firing up the deep fryers...



The Cooper Square Committee is today's street festival (avenue festival?) host.

And as far as street festivals go, this is one of the better ones...

Friday's parting shot

First Avenue...

So 'Happy' together

Jungle recently released two tracks from their sophomore release, due out on June 22. The video here is for "Happy Man."

The London-based collective play at Brooklyn Steel on June 18. (That show is sold out.)

Mast Books now open in its new corner space on Avenue A

Several readers have noted that Mast is making its corner debut today on Avenue A and Fifth Street...



They moved here from a few storefronts to the south.

Last night, Mast hosted a conversation between Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and Ryan Martin in the new space.

EVG Etc.: Lower East Side Film Festival underway; new Essex Street Market concerns

[Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

City Council Member Carlina Rivera reportedly doesn't want 24/7 bus lanes on 14th Street during the L train shutdown (Streetsblog)

The Lower East Side Film Festival continues through Wednesday (Official site)

Details on Sunday’s Puerto Rican Day Parade (Curbed)

Report outlines concerns that longtime residents have about the new Essex Street Market (The Lo-Down)

The first comprehensive NYC retrospective of the work of filmmaker Betzy Bromberg (Anthology Film Archives)

Patti Astor revives Fun Gallery in Hermosa Beach, Calif. (The Beach Reporter)

Service on the new Lower East Side ferry route, including at Stuyvesant Cove, is on schedule to begin at the end of the summer (Town & Village)

When kids listen to Swans (uh, the band) (Dangerous Minds)

More IHOP-IHOb theories (The Post ... previously)

A quest to correct a mistake about the London Calling album cover, shot at the Palladium on East 14th Street (Flaming Pablum)

Caffe Vivaldi is closing after 32 years in the West Village (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)