Tribute to a fallen tree on St. Mark's Place

[Top 2 photos via Steven]

The city this morning deemed it necessary to remove the Callery pear tree from outside 26 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Yesterday morning, a large branch fell, which, miraculously, missed the pedestrians and vehicles in the vicinity.

According to this site, the "Callery pear has a weak wood and branch structure ..." The tree appeared to show signs of rot.

Here's a look at what's left behind...




[Photo via @PerchNewYork]

... and there is a tribute, which begins "Dearly Beloved," on the stump...


[Photo by Chris Rowland]

Tater in the morning

A Tater sighting on Ninth Street this a.m. via Steven...

After nearly 40 years, Foot Gear Plus is closing on 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place

[Photos by Stacie Joy]

Tony Scifo, who opened Foot Gear Plus at 131 First Ave. and St. Mark's Place in 1980, recently made the difficult decision to close his family-fun business at the end of the month.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the store yesterday and spoke with Scifo. Here are excerpts from the conversation...

"The 31st of July is the last day at Foot Gear Plus. I made the decision to close about three months ago. After several years of peaks and valleys in business there were just too many valleys. Companies now sell direct to consumers and once they started offering free shipping it was all over. This is happening everywhere, not just locally.

We offered great merchandise and great service — no gimmicks. But we just can't compete with online.

The landlord wanted us to stay. She offered us a fair price and she's been great. We just couldn't make it.

We're cleaning out merchandise now — everything is 20 percent off with limited stock/sizes. Prices might drop a little bit more before we close for good, but we might not have too much more inventory. Come in now if you need shoes but there's no hard sell. You can save a few dollars.

We have no plans to have an online store and no plans to reopen. After 40 years I want to spend time with my family and see what's next. You know in 40 years I don't think we ever opened even a few minutes late."

Village Kids Footwear, which Tony's sister Linda Scifo-Young operated a few storefronts away, closed late last summer.

Report: LPC wants some revisions to the proposed condoplex for 2nd Avenue and 7th Street

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) reviewed the proposal yesterday to erect a 7-story condoplex on the Second Avenue gas explosion site at Seventh Street.

The 21-unit conodplex with retail space reportedly isn't too far off from what the LPC will approve. Here's part of the coverage via 6sqft:

After reviewing the plans ... and deciding that the proposal is “close, but not quite there,” they’ve sent [architect Morros] Adjmi and Yaniv Shaky Cohen’s Nexus Building Development Group back to the drawing board over concerns regarding the windows, storefront, and coloring. Neighbors and those affected by the tragedy are also calling for a commemorative plaque to be incorporated into the design.

And about a way to commemorate the two men who died in the explosion — Moises Ismael Locon, 27, and Nicholas Figueroa, 23:

[T]he one thing everyone seemed to agree on is the necessity for a commemorative plaque. Adjmi said the owner originally considered a tree to serve as a marker, but the LPC would like to see him work with the community on this addition.

The lot sits within the the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District, and requires the LPC's approval to move forward.

Read more from yesterday at Curbed.

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

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

Some breakfast and lunch for 10th and 3rd

Workers were putting up the signage yesterday afternoon on the northwest corner of 10th Street and Third Avenue... as you can see, the wraparound signage boasts breakfast and lunch offerings, including sandwiches, salads, smoothies and a juice bar.

Not sure what this venture will be called — that part of the signage wasn't in place just yet.

This storefront was previously the Red & White Spa, which closed at the end of 2017...



Updated 7/14

The deli is called Healthy Greens Gourmet...



Updated 7/20

The place is now open.

Report: Proposed tech hub appears 'in question' without zoning protections

A number of organizations and local residents both for and against the proposed tech hub on 14th Street made their case earlier today during an hours-long public hearing in front of a City Council subcommittee.

You can find nice recaps at The Lo-Down ... Curbed ... and amNY.

There's support for the hub's training facility that would provide skills to local low-income residents. However, some local residents and preservation groups have called for a larger rezoning of the area to ensure that the proposed 21-story Union Square Tech Training Center doesn’t prompt massive development on Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue that would potentially displace tenants and small businesses.

District 2 City Council member Carlina Rivera holds the crucial vote for the zoning changes to make the project a go at the site of the former PC Richard complex on 14th Street at Irving Place. During her election campaign last year she indicated that she'd sign off on the tech hub only if the city agreed to downzone the surrounding area.

As the Lo-Down reported, Rivera said in her introductory remarks that she considers it part of her mission to create good jobs for residents in her district. However: "the vision for this area must include protections from continued out-of-scale and financially out-of-reach development."

And later...

.@CarlinaRivera says vote on Tech Hub is “seriously in question” following negotiations with City Hall where “the community’s requests have not been seriously considered.” https://t.co/iEPOLU6F92

— Jeremy Unger (@jeremyunger1) July 10, 2018

The final City Council vote will be later this summer.

Updated 7/11

RAL Development Services, who's partnering with the city on the project, released this statement after yesterday's hearing:

We’re pleased to continue through the ULURP process with the broad support of the community and elected officials. We are committed to making the 124 East 14th Street Tech Training Center a reality; an innovative and inclusive project that will stimulate local business growth and community interaction, and promote the next generation of companies, not for profit organizations, and industries. We will continue to work with community representatives and local officials in making sure the project responds to the community’s needs and look forward to the Tech Training Center’s addition to the iconic Lower Manhattan area.

Image via @GVSHP

Previously on EV Grieve:
Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC

Speaking out against a 'Silicon Alley' in this neighborhood

P.C. Richard puts up the moving signs on 14th Street; more Tech Hub debate to come

Preservationists: City schedules next public hearing on tech hub without any public notice

City Council's lone public hearing on the 14th Street tech hub is tomorrow

No injuries reported as large tree branch comes crashing down on St. Mark's Place

This tree branch fell this morning outside 26 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... EVG reader Maegan Hayward shared these photos...



Thankfully, despite being a busy corridor for pedestrians and vehicles (especially deliveries), the damage was minimal. Per Maegan: "Luckily it seems like no one was injured and nothing was damaged other than the tree."

The sidewalk bridge outside 19-25 St. Mark's Place across the street prevented the tree from possibly damaging the storefronts or hitting the pedestrians who were there at the time.





And 7 seconds of video, which shows just how large this branch is...



"It just seemed to fall out of nowhere," Maegan said.

Updated:

Steven shared these photos... after the branch was (mostly) removed from the street...







...and a photo of the branch attachment...

Mono + Mono reopens on 4th Street after 5-year absence

More than five years after a fire destroyed its space, Mono + Mono officially reopens tonight in its former home at 116 E. Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.


[Photo by Elissa Jiji]

A fire swept through the single-level structure in April 2013. The restaurant's extensive collection of jazz LPs were reportedly spared, and, based on some recent Instagram posts, the records will be put to use in Mono + Mono 2.0.

At various times through the years, Mono reps said that they would be returning. CB3 OK'd the new liquor license in March 2017. The menu submitted with the CB3 questionnaire at that time featured a variety of Asian-fusion tapas. (The sample menu did not list the double-dipped Korean fried chicken, a speciality of the previous incarnation of Mono + Mono.) Recent Instagram posts show small-plates-type menu items.

A flower shop has been in the space in the past year-plus, with the recent arrival of a cafe serving juice and coffee. The flower shop will remain in operation during the day, with the space turning over to dinner and drinks in the evenings. No word on official hours just yet. The new Mono doesn't appear to have any web or social-media presence at the moment.

Mono + Mono first opened in August 2010.

Thanks to Elissa Jiji for the tip!

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Early-morning fire at 116 E. Fourth St., home of Mono + Mono

(Kind of) An update on Mono + Mono

What is happening with the Mono + Mono space?

Report: Mono + Mono plans fall reopening

LPC to review condoplex proposal for 2nd Avenue gas explosion site

[Rendering via Morris Adjimi Architects]

During its weekly meeting today, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will review the proposal to erect a 7-story condoplex on the Second Avenue gas explosion site at Seventh Street.

As Curbed reported yesterday:

Presentation materials that will go before the LPC offer a glimpse at what [the developer] has planned for the structure: The building itself will rise 78 feet, though the bulkhead will take that up to just under 100 feet. The facade would be made from custom L-shaped bricks, cast stone, and corrugated zinc, all in muted shades of gray and beige. Some apartments would have corner exposures, and there would be one penthouse with roof access.

The Historic Districts Council has weighed in on the proposal, saying the building “could fit in quite well in the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District”; however, HDC takes issue with the corner windows, which they call “extremely out of place,” and the color of the cladding.

Last month, CB3 endorsed a resolution by its Landmarks Committee, as The Villager reported.

The committee’s recommendations also called on [architect] Morris Adjmi ... to create a "permanent, prominent bronze marker honoring those who died at the location" — Moises Ismael Locon, 27, and Nicholas Figueroa, 23 — and telling the story of the event, with review from Locon’s and Figueroa’s parents.

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.

The defendants in the gas-explosion case, including Maria Hrynenko, the former owner of No. 119 and 121, are still waiting to go to trial.

According to The Villager last week:

A spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Jr., said the case had been "administratively adjourned" to July 27. There is currently no trial date set for Hrynenko and her three co-defendants.

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

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

The Silky Kitchen signage arrives on 13th Street

[Photo by Laura K.]

The Silky signage — touting "Authentic Hunan Delicacies" — is up at 137 E. 13th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

Still don't know much about the place, other than it will be an all-day restaurant with hours of 9 a.m. to midnight daily, per their beer-wine application on the CB3 website. Silky doesn't appear to have any social-media presence (or website) just yet.

The space was previously home to Mandolino Pizzeria, which closed in March after a 14-month run.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Silky Kitchen set for 13th Street