Still in the pit at 14th Street and Avenue C

Checking in on the activity at the southwest corner of 14th Street and Avenue C...



Ten months later (since the last EVG update on Nov. 1, 2016), crews are still in the foundation stage...



Perhaps they're combatting the elevated groundwater levels here that have impacted the other developments (here and here) along East 14th Street.

As for the new development, here's a rehash of the info I received on the project last September:

Madison Realty Capital (MRC), an institutionally-backed real estate investment firm focused on real estate equity and debt investments in the middle markets, provided a $52.0 million first mortgage loan for the acquisition of a development site in the East Village and construction of an approved 76,259 square foot mixed use development on the site.

The plans for 644 East 14th Street include 50 residential units, 8,064 square feet of retail space with 200 feet of frontage on 14th Street and Avenue C, and 21,575 square feet of community facility space.

The property is located at the corner of 14th Street and Avenue C, along the Northern border of the East Village and directly across the street from Stuyvesant Town. Residential units will offer contemporary finishes and large balconies with East River views. The borrower is currently finalizing a lease with a major New York hospital to occupy the entire community facility portion of the new building.

The East Village is now attracting young professionals and families, in addition to the artists, musicians, and students that established the neighborhood's cultural identity. The area has retained its strong character and remains a dynamic hub of popular bars, restaurants, and shops, with East 14th Street being one of the liveliest commercial corridors.

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

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

Here comes a 15-story retail-residential complex for East 14th Street and Avenue C

Prepping the former R&S Strauss auto parts store for demolition on East 14th Street and Avenue C

City OKs 15-story mixed-use retail-residential building on 14th and C

14th and C now waiting for the Karl Fischer-designed 15-story retail-residential complex

14th and C still waiting for its Karl Fischer-designed retail-residential complex

Report: New owners for the empty lot at 14th Street and Avenue C

Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen back open after the summer break

The subterranean restaurant serving traditional Ukrainian cuisine is now back open each day for service after its usual summer break here at 33 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

This fundraising enterprise of the St George Ukrainian Catholic Church is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

You can find more info and daily specials on their Instagram account here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
At the Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen

Roll it Up looks closed on 7th Street

Roll It Up appears to have closed at 63 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. It hasn't been open in at least two weeks, and the interior looks to have been emptied out.

The nautical-themed shop specializing in rolled ice cream opened on Aug. 26, 2016 ... then closed in November for the season... before reopening in April.

If this is a permanent closure, then this marks the second rolled ice cream casualty out of the three that opened last summer. Lab -320° closed in January after six months on St. Mark's Place. 10Below Ice Cream is still alive and well on another part of St. Mark's Place.

Report: The Film Forum adding new screen; upgrading auditoriums

Of possible interest outside the neighborhood ... not too far away.

The New York Times reported yesterday that the Film Forum at 209 W. Houston St. will add a fourth screen and upgrade its three existing auditoriums next year.

Per the Times:

The new screen will be built using space next to Film Forum and allow for more flexibility in its programming schedule. The updates will also involve a full renovation of the theater’s other three screens, including new seats, more leg room and a more dramatic slope (with stadium seating in the rear rows) to improve sightlines.

These will probably be welcome changes for theater patrons who were surveyed in 2016 and offered feedback (including complaints) about the current setup. But they do come at a price: The improvements are expected to cost the nonprofit cinema about $5 million, though more than half of that budget has already been raised. The Thompson Family Foundation will make a gift to name the fourth screen. And a capital campaign is underway to raise the remaining money and lift the endowment.

Film Forum director Karen Cooper had this to say in a news release about the expansion:

Too often, New York landmarks disappear, only to be replaced by nail salons and chain drug stores. Happily, New Yorkers are committed to seeing films that take risks and break the mold, as well as discovering movie history.

The repertory movie house expects to close in May, with renovations complete in July.

The Film Forum has been in its Houston Street space between Sixth Avenue and Varick since 1990. It was established in 1970.

Image via Facebook

Cleaning the Cube

[EVG photo from yesterday]

Last Wednesday night/Thursday morning, someone decided to tag/doodle on the Cube at Astor Place. The Village Alliance was able to remove most of the squiggles ... but some remained.

This evening, the Astor Blasting Squiggle Remover was out to clean off the remaining portion of the Alamo ... thanks to the readers who shared these photos...


[Photo by @unitof]


[Photo by 8E]

[Updated] Curb your enthusiasm: Sidewalk work prompts questions

[Photo on 11th and A from Thursday evening]

In recent weeks workers have been replacing curbs/upgrading pedestrian ramps on corners from Avenue A to Avenue D.

Several residents have questioned the quality of the work.

A reader shared these images from Avenue B...







Per the reader: "They failed to seal or finish the concrete, which will fill up with water and crack as soon as we get a freeze this winter."

Another reader has a few questions, such as, Is the work actually finished?

ALL of them are terribly constructed. [This is] the one on Avenue B and 10th Street, southwest corner.



You'll notice that the new ramp is not flush with the street, so the gap was filled in with some sloppily placed extra concrete. This is at every new curb ramp, and most of them are worse than the one pictured here. I imagine many of these will have pooling when it storms.

Is this a case of a sloppy contractor who does bad work without repercussion? Or did the contractor do it properly per spec and these streets are going to get milled and repaved soon and will then be flush to the ramp?

[Northeast corner of 6th and B from yesterday]

No word at the moment if crews will be returning to smooth out those ramps ... or if this is it.

Updated 9/7

A reader shared this photo from this morning... showing a crew doing some new curb work on Avenue B at 11h Street...



Updated 9/9

Ramp work is wrapping up. Update here.

Holiday weekend recap

[Photo on 13th Street yesterday by Bobby Williams]

A few EVG posts from the Labor Day weekend...

Michael Hrynenko, Jr., awaiting trial for his role in the 2nd Avenue gas explosion, dies at 31 (Saturday)

At the Official Animal Rights March (Sunday)

The 9th Precinct is hosting Sector Charlie Safety Summits this week (Monday)

A new (and refurbished) 9/11 mural for 9th Street and Avenue A (Monday)

Parks Department clears corner of 7th Street and Avenue A (Sunday)

Manhattan makes a return visit to Tompkins Square Park (Monday)

Lucy's is back from summer break on Avenue A (Saturday)

Penthouse with rooftop cottage sells on 1st Avenue (Sunday)

Today's attraction in Tompkins Square Park (Saturday)

Szechuan Mountain House coming to St. Mark's Place

Signage arrived last week for Szechuan Mountain House, coming to the upper level at 19-23 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

This appears to be an offshoot of the Szechuan Mountain House in Flushing.

The previous tenant here was Grand Sichuan, which closed last November.

The Bean's 3rd Avenue location opens on Thursday

As the signage shows, the Bean is opening its new location at 31 Third Ave. at Stuyvesant Street on Thursday.

The storefront had been empty ever since St. Mark's Bookshop moved out in June 2014.

"We've always liked the old St. Mark's Bookstore spot and it's been empty for years, so when the opportunity presented itself for us to obtain it we were excited to make it happen," Ike Escava, owner of the Bean, told me via email in July.



This will make the coffee shop/cafe's fifth NYC location.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Bean is opening in the former St. Mark's Bookshop space at Cooper Union

Art and signage arrive at future home of Broken Coconut on 4th Street

Interior renovations continue at 15 E. Fourth St., where Broken Coconut will soon be offering ways to "eat pretty," as the new signage notes...



As previously reported (first by BoweryBoogie), nightlife impresario Scott Sartiano is behind this venture, a quick-serve healthy restaurant serving items such as quinoa parfaits and coconut chia here between Broadway and Lafayette. (Some competition for the nearby Honeybrains?)

Before opening, Broken Coconut is displaying work by Peter Riezebos, a Shanghai-based artist from the Netherlands...



Other Music closed at this location in June 2016 after 20-plus years in business.

Village Kids Footwear has closed on 1st Avenue

The shop specializing in shoes for children at 117 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place closed after the day on Aug. 31.

In recent weeks "store closing" signs hung in the windows. I did not hear an official reason why they closed. (One EVG reader and friend of the owner said that business had been in decline.)

The shop, sister store to Foot Gear Plus, which has been in business up the block for more than 38 years, is run by siblings Linda and Tony Scifo.

The asking rent for the space is $9,995, per the listing at Steve Croman's 9300 Realty.



Previously on EV Grieve:
At Village Kids Footwear

Former 4th Street massage parlor for rent

The storefront at 125 E. Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue recently arrived on the market.

As DNAinfo first reported last month, Nie's Service Center was busted for alleged prostitution. In addition, workers were reportedly doing massages without the required license.

The space is in the process of being cleaned out...



A listing for the space isn't online just yet.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: 4th Street spa busted for alleged prostitution

Monday's parting shot

Photo this evening by Bobby Williams...

Manhattan makes a return visit to Tompkins Square Park

Manhattan, a nickname (along with 10 or Ten) for Christo and Dora's 2017 hawklet, hasn't been seen in recent weeks... and the red-tailed hawk watchers in Tompkins Square Park figured she had left for good (as the young hawks have done in previous years).

However, last evening around 6, she made a return engagement (top photo).

And today she was back for more...



Steven, who shared these photos, said she was crying out for food.



After she realized she wasn't going to be fed, she struck out on her own... pouncing on a dead pigeon.



However, she didn't eat the decomposing pigeon, because it was, well, disgusting.

Pants is missing [Updated — found!]

This cat was last seen Saturay night/Sunday morning on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. He is a 19-pound boy with one black ear and a black tail. Goes by the name of Pants.


[Image via Facebook]

Updated 5:30

Good to hear that Pants has returned...

----

And over the weekend, a $200 reward was posted for Big Kitty ...

A new (and refurbished) 9/11 mural for 9th Street and Avenue A

[Photo yesterday by Steven]

As you likely noticed, the 9/11 mural on the Ninth Street side of 145 Avenue A is in pretty bad shape.

The proprietors of the new gelato shop that opened here earlier this summer reached out to ask for input on what to do with the wall space. Refurbish the mural or paint it over.

Looks as if there will be a combination of those choices.

Yesterday, artist (and musician) David Ouimet started prepping the wall for a new 9/11 mural — incorporating part of the original — that he will paint on Sunday, 9/10.



Lola Sáenz shared these two photos from today... she said that he is not getting paid for the mural, and has permission from the Gelarto folks to rework it...



Jesse Fischler, who co-owned the former Shrine Records on Ninth Street, created the original mural.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Thoughts on the 9/11 mural on 9th and A

The 9/11 mural on 9th and A

[Updated] 9th Precinct hosting Sector Safety Summit meetings

[Click image to go big]

On Wednesday evening, the 9th Precinct is hosting a Sector Charlie Safety Summit at the Community Board 3 offices.

Sector Charlie covers this part of the neighborhood: The north side of East Houston Street to the south side of Seventh Street, from the west side of First Avenue to the east side of Broadway. (Last October, the 9th Precinct started a new initiative called the Neighborhood Coordination Officers — NCO — program. The Precinct is split up into four sectors, with two officers assigned to each sector. Find the sectors and the responsible officers here.)

Per the flyers posted on various front doors within Sector Charlie, this will be:

An open, honest discussion between the local Neighborhood Coordination Officers and the community. We will discuss the NYPD's NCO Program, how it affects you, and any issues going on within your area.

Why should you go?

This is an opportunity to become acquainted with the officers who are directly responsible for your area, and to inform them of any problems that you might be encountering at your home or business.

The meeting is Wednesday night from 6:30-8. The CB3 office is at 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery. (Refreshments will be served!)

Updated 6 p.m.

The 9th Precinct just posted a meeting notice on Twitter for Sector A tomorrow night ...





Updated:

The NYPD shared info on the other Sector meetings...

• Sector B — Sept. 7 (tomorrow) at 6 p.m. at Campos Plaza (Community Room), 611 E. 13th St.

• Sector D — Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. at the 14th Street Y, 344 E. 14th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue

Happy Labor Day!

Or the Ghost of Labor Day Past here on 13th Street at Second Avenue... thanks to Uncle Pete for the photo this morning!

Parks Department clears corner of 7th Street and Avenue A

Around noon, four officers from the Parks Enforcement Patrol, garbage truck in tow, arrived at Seventh Street and Avenue A to oversee the removal of Jerry's art work and other items that had been gathered/assembled this summer here at the entrance to Tompkins Square Park.

EVG regular Bayou shared these photos...





There's no immediate word if the mannequin survived the purge.

Back in April, the NYPD and the Sanitation Department chucked the short-lived Tompkins Square Park Art Bar here.

Updated

What survived is now across the street...

Week in Grieview

[Bed moving on 7th and A by Derek Berg]

Saying goodbye to Clayworks Pottery after 44 years on 9th Street (Monday)

Michael Hrynenko, Jr., awaiting trial for his role in the 2nd Avenue gas explosion, dies at 31 (Saturday)

Checking in on the Swiss Institute, coming next spring to 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

Jennifer Esposito's Jennifer's Way Bakery is moving from 10th Street; destination unknown (Monday)

Summer's end: So long to the hawklets of Tompkins Square Park (Friday)

Following eviction proceedings, Steve Croman's 9300 Realty has a new office (Monday)

1st look at the condoplex coming to the site of the former beer distributor on 2nd Street (Thursday)

Scaffolding arrives as demolition nears for Mount Sinai's 13th Street residential building (Tuesday)

Jesus Saves shines again on 11th Street (Friday)

Momofuku Ko remains closed as expansion-related work continues in Extra Place (Monday)

At the Bowery Market, Parantha Alley exits, Dosa Royale enters (Tuesday)

Out and About with David Anderson (Wednesday)

Croxley Ales has closed (Wednesday)


[Not Graydon Carter or Beetlejuice on 4th Street by Derek Berg]

Tagging the cube (Thursday)

House of Physical Therapy coming to 10th Street (Wednesday)

Resobox, a Japanese cultural center, opening in the former Edge space on 3rd Street (Thursday)

Good hair day: On the Mark opens second location; Bonefade Barbers debut on Avenue A (Thursday)

A new storefront for 2nd Street (Wednesday)

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

Temporary closure at Jimmy's No. 43 may be permanent (Tuesday)

Heyday bringing facials and skin care to Lafayette Street (Tuesday)

Classic tags uncovered at under-renovation Lafayette Street building (Tuesday)

Côte opens a 'quick Côte' shop on 13th Street (Monday)

Blue Bottle now open on University Place (Friday)

... and a patriotic ride on Second Avenue yesterday via Lola Sáenz...