Report: Crews working to clean up the Con Ed oil spill in the East River

As if the East River wasn’t toxic enough https://t.co/uw15dvcSnU

— New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) May 9, 2017

There have been news reports throughout the day about the Con Ed substation in DUMBO that "spewed dielectric fluid into the East River on Sunday, causing an oil slick that witnesses said could be seen in Queens," as Gothamist put it.

A Coast Guard spokesperson described this as a "catastrophic failure" of a transformer at the substation.

The spill also caused a voltage dip that caused delays on several subway lines and suspended NYC Ferry service.

Here's the official statement from ConEd:

Con Edison is working to contain and clean up transformer insulating oil that was released from one of our substations in Brooklyn near the East River. A transformer containing approximately 37,000 gallons of insulating oil used with electrical equipment, failed on Sunday May 7 at 12:23 p.m., causing much of the oil to be released within the station property in addition to the East River. The equipment failure also caused a system voltage dip that impacted the MTA’s signaling systems on Sunday, resulting in a disruption to some train service.

Con Edison responded immediately, placing boom, absorbents and skimmers in the river. Our own employees and environmental contractors are working on the cleanup, and we are working cooperatively with the U.S. Coast Guard, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and other agencies. We continue to assess the volume of oil that migrated to the East River, and how much oil remains in the ground on our property.

The Coast Guard has issued reduced speed restrictions for commercial vessels operating in the area, and banning recreational vessels, to assist the cleanup process. We are taking all actions to contain and clean up the oil as safely and as quickly as possible.

Noted

EVG reader Michael spotted this today on Avenue B at Sixth Street... one could probably find multiple uses for this...

EV Grieve Etc.: Memories and hot dogs at McSorley's

[Photo on 2nd Avenue by Derek Berg]

An excerpt from the new memoir, Two and Two: McSorley's, My Dad, and Me (Grub Street)

Speaking of McSorley's, starting today, Feltman's of Coney Island hot dogs will be added onto the saloon's daily menu

Man found floating in the East River at around 14th Street on Sunday afternoon (Town & Village)

Kushners apologize for name-dropping Jared to Chinese investors (The Post)

The Pickle Guys are breaking with tradition, now open on Saturdays (BoweryBoogie)

"9 to 5" showing tomorrow night as part of the Fearless Femmes in Film series (Village East Cinema)

Coney Island Mermaid Parade seeking financial help (Gothamist)

Former Lenox Lounge demolished in Harlem (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Diversions: Keith Haring's onstage collaboration with Material (Dangerous Minds)

New 7th Street rental named for artist Louise Nevelson; amenities include a backup generator

Rentals are underway at the all-new 222 E. Seventh St., a building originally thought to be condos here between Avenue B and Avenue C.

As we pointed out previously, the address was the onetime home and studio of famed sculpturist Louise Nevelson. Which explains this building's name — Nevelson House.

Workers first honored her memory by demolishing the previous four-floor building here.


[The former No. 222]

Streeteasy shows seven units ranging in price from $4,265 to $8,146, an entire floor at 1,455 square feet.

Here's a description of that unit:

This brand new floor through convertible 3 bedroom features an exclusive terrace, condo-level finishes such as Carrera marble Kitchen countertops and stainless steel appliances. Each apartment features an open layout with energy efficient, floor to ceiling windows. Apartments include radiant heated floors, customizable LED lighting, exclusive outdoor space, a dishwasher, an in-unit washer/dryer, and use of a high-end backup generator that can power the building during outages.

There are open houses for several of the units this week via broker Citi Habitats.

When the new development first revealed itself in 2011, it was named the rather jaunty Villa Capri, set to be ready in 2012.

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

About the cantilevering condos coming to 4th Avenue and 10th Street

Workers have now surrounded the new development site at 71 Fourth Ave. and 10th Street with a heavy-duty sidewalk bridge.

As previously noted, a 10-story, retail-residential complex will rise here. Given the square footage allotted for the 12 planned residences, condos were likely.

Last week, The Real Deal reported that NAVA Companies "is targeting a $72.4 million sellout" for the (officially now!) condoplex, according to a condo filing plan accepted by the New York State Attorney General’s office.

According to the filing, units would span an average of more than 2,000 square feet. The $72.4 million projected sellout means units would cost on average of over $6 million. The AG’s office approved the plan on April 7.

The NAVA website says that sales will begin in the fall. There's a teaser site up and running for the building, officially 80 E. 10th St. ... (at least this guy is wearing a shirt) ...



And as a reminder of the condo cantilevering to come...



Meanwhile, once the construction really gets going, 10th Street between Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue will be a tight, potentially dangerous, fit for pedestrians, motorists, cyclists...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Demo permits filed to raze southeast corner of 4th Avenue and 10th Street

The 'tremendous retail potential' of East 10th Street and 4th Avenue

10 stories of condos in the works for the long-vacant corner of 4th Avenue and East 10th Street

With new building OK'd, corner of 4th Avenue and 10th Street finally ready for razing

Report: East Village resident pays fine for renting out city-subsidized home on Airbnb

An East Village resident was one of the first two New York residents to pay a fine under a law banning listings for short-term rentals, the Daily News reported.

The resident, listed as Jennifer Livingston, was reportedly renting "a city-subsidized affordable co-op on E. Sixth St. meant for low-income families." Her Airbnb listing said that the unit was going for $446 a night for the unit.

Per the News:

The city’s regulatory agreement with the building precludes it from being used for anything other than permanent housing, according to the city. But the two-bedroom, two-bath unit with a private deck was booked by guests often enough that it has more than 90 reviews on [the resident's] still-visible Airbnb host page.

The city found out about the listing after a neighbor complained in December, alleging loud music, parties and drug use.

Livingston paid a $1,000 fine.

The New York law went into effect last October but wasn't enforceable until February.

In New York, it is illegal to rent out an apartment for fewer than 30 days unless the host is present. The new law allows lawmakers to fine hosts for violations.

"The state law prohibiting illegal rental ads is helping us stop those who turn homes into hotels," Melissa Grace, a spokesperson for Mayor de Blasio, told the News.

According to a study released last fall, the zip codes 10009 and 10003 have a combined 418 full apartments listed on Airbnb — among the top-five most in the city.

Previously on EV Grieve:
East Village etiquette for AirBnBers: 'Don't piss off the locals'

Details on the 17th annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash

Via the EVG inbox today...

Before succumbing to lymphatic cancer on April 15, 2001, Joey Ramone had been planning another of his infamous bashes for his 50th birthday. He'd asked his mother, Charlotte Lesher, and brother Mickey Leigh to promise they'd throw a huge party to celebrate the occasion, regardless.

The Joey Ramone Birthday Bash has since become an annual tradition. This year's Bash will take place on Friday, May 19, Joey's actual Birthday, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Studio at Webster Hall.

Headlining this year's event: Joey's former bandmates, drummer Richie Ramone and bassist CJ Ramone, will be playing in a trio formed just for this occasion called The Love Triangle, with Mickey Leigh on guitar. They'll perform several select songs from the seminal Ramones albums Leave Home and Rocket to Russia, both of which turn 40 this year.

Also being honored is David Peel, who passed away earlier this year and whose band David Peel & The Lower East Side had performed at previous Bash events. The Accelerators, Joff Wilson, Bill Connor and Koshek Swaminathan will take part in his Bash tribute. Performances from The Cuts and LES Stitches will also round out the night.

You can find ticket info here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Mickey Leigh on his brother Joey Ramone's 'New York City' video

Reader report: What's the story with the minivan collecting tickets on 12th Street?

An EVG reader writes in about about this minivan that has been parked on 12th Street just west of Avenue A.

It has been accumulating parking tickets. I don't see any plates on it, and there is a bunch of junk in the back, and a box for a space heater on the front seat. You would think it would get towed after so many tickets. Maybe someone knows the deal? Could it belong to someone working on Steiner East Village?

Updated 5/10

The vehicle has been scheduled for removal!

David Chang's Momofuku Ko is expanding in Extra Place

[The current front entrance of Momofuku Ko at 8 Extra Place]

Not too many businesses have had any success in Extra Place, the pedestrian walkway off of First Street between the Bowery and Second Avenue.

Red Hook Lobster Pound was the most recent casualty in this former alley that ran behind CBGB. (Read about the history of Extra Place dating to 1800 here.)

That is with the exception of David Chang's Momofuku Ko, which relocated to 8 Extra Place from First Avenue in November 2014.

Things have been going so well here, apparently, at the critically acclaimed Ko, where the tasting menu is $195 per person, that they are expanding.

Chang and company are on this month's CB3-SLA docket for an alteration of an existing liquor license. According to the paperwork on file at the CB3 website, they are creating a new waiting/dining area with 6-7 tables and 14 seats for a kitchen counter/bar. (You can read their questionnaire/PDF here.)

Here's a diagram at the CB3 website with what the expanded Ko will look like...


[Click for a better look]

The paperwork appears on the doorway of 12 Extra Place, which will be the new entrance...





The sign for the now-closed boutique Inventory remains above the doorway.

The space looks to be in use as an office right now...





So a quick Extra Place business recap: The Japanese housewares boutique Nalata Nalata has the corner space at No. 2. Momofuku Ko will take up No. 4 through 12 (or 14). No. 16 was the Red Hook Lobster Pound. No. 18 is a prep kitchen for Daniel Boulud.

Moving forward Momofuku Place might be a better name for Extra Place.

The May SLA committee meeting is next Monday (the 15th!) at 6:30 p.m. Location: Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Previously on EV Grieve:
With new restaurant opening, will Extra Place finally become a dining destination?

Extra Place now officially a Dead End

Extra Place and Heidi currently 'closed for renovation' in Extra Place

Red Hook Lobster Pound in the works for Extra Place

A few more details on Momofuku Ko (aka, TBD) coming to Extra Place

Zabb City appears to have closed on 13th Street

The gate has been down in recent weeks at Zabb City, the reliable and reasonably priced Thai restaurant on 13th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

There's a note on the door about management being on holiday, with normal business hours resuming on April 28. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case. The restaurant appears to be closed. The Zabb City phone number has been disconnected, and the website displays a 404 Not Found Error.