Activity at the former St. Brigid School on Avenue B and 7th Street

The St. Brigid School on Avenue B and Seventh Street has sat empty for two-plus years, ever since classes ended for the summer in June 2019.

As we first reported in February 2019, the Archdiocese of New York announced that St. Brigid School would cease operations at the end of the current academic year, a move that blindsided students, parents, and faculty alike. Founded in 1856, the Saint Brigid School was one of seven city Catholic schools marked for closure by the Archdiocese.

Nearby residents are curious about what might happen to the two-level building and subsequent property — prime East Village real estate with views of Tompkins Square Park.

EVG reader Robert Miner recently saw workers removing classroom furniture during the day... with a crew painting the interior in the evening... 

Per Robert: "Not sure if they're sprucing it up for sale or a reopening — but at least it's unlikely they're moving towards demolition if they're putting in this effort."

There's nothing on file with the Department of Buildings indication any future development here. 

The Archdiocese has seen sales of more than $80 million for two former East Village churches in recent years.

Developer Douglas Steiner bought the former Mary Help of Christians property on Avenue A at 12th Street in 2012 from the Archdiocese of New York for $41 million. During the summer of 2013, workers demolished the church, school and rectory to make way for Steiner East Village, the block-long condoplex.

In March 2020, Gemini Rosemont, an L.A.-based real-estate investor, bought the former Church of the Nativity property on Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street for $40 million. 

The Church of St. Brigid-St. Emeric (and the rectory) remain in use next door. The church was spared from the wrecking ball, reopening in January 2013 after a renovation.

1st sign of Raíz Modern Mexican on 1st Avenue

The signage arrived yesterday for Raíz Modern Mexican, coming soon to 120 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

As previously noted, Raíz is a plant-based, fast-casual restaurant that will feature burritos, tacos, salads and bowls. 

No word on an opening date just yet. 

Thanks to Steven for the photo!

Bubbleology Tea has gone out of business on 1st Avenue

The East Village outpost of the London-based Bubbleology Tea chain has closed at 120 1/2 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. 

Steven shared these photos of the now-empty space, which closed without any notice... (apparently, this happened a few weeks back...)

The outpost opened in February 2019 in a crowded bubble-tea market.

Previously, the landlord here, convicted felon Steve Croman, didn't/wouldn't renew the lease of the International Bar ... which closed in November 2017 before merging with the Coal Yard, down the block.

RIP Molly.

Dec. 22's parting shot

Joe Strummer (aka John Graham Mellor) died on this day in 2002 at age 50. 

As always, a photo (from the other day) of Dr. Revolt's mural circa 2004 outside Niagara on Seventh Street and Avenue A. 

And now, enjoy this interview on CBS 2 with Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon from 1982...

 

EVG Etc.: Appreciating the photography of Alex Harsley; visiting a new Chinatown bookstore

Photo of a visiting Cooper's hawk in Tompkins Square Park by Steven 

• Staffing shortages temporarily shutter multiple CityMD sites, including the one on East 14th Street (The Associated Press)

• The latest on the rising number of positive COVID cases in NYC (NBC 4) 

• Teen who survived last Thursday's deadly fire in the Riis Houses recounts his journey to safety down the side of the building (Daily News ... previously on EVG) 

• Restaurant workers rally for better pay and benefits. It took place outside someplace that has done it right: La Palapa on St. Mark's Place, where owner Barbara Sibley pays a base salary of $15 an hour plus tips. "You can't put a value on morale," she told PIX 11. "Having a good morale and taking care of people is priceless." (PIX11 ... amNY) 

• An interview with Alex Harsley, the 83-year-old proprietor of 4th Street Photo Gallery (The Indypendent ... previously on EVG) 

• RIP Ed Higgins III, a longtime Ludlow Street resident and a founding member of the Rivington School collective (BoweryBoogie) 

• Remembering artist and curator Jenni Crain of the Gordon Robichaux gallery on Union Square West. She died from sudden complications related to COVID-19. She was 30. (Hyperallergic) 

• Yu and Me Books, a new bookstore in Chinatown at 44 Mulberry St., highlights works by immigrant authors (NPR) 

• An Amazon outage took out the Citi Bike system this morning (Gothamist) 

• Amelia and Christo keep busy in Tompkins Square Park (Laura Goggin Photography) 

• MANY people have asked if EVG knows what EV pizzeria is talking about in this Ryan Reynolds interview anecdote: "There's a pizza place in the East Village in New York that I've been going to for years. They believe I'm Ben Affleck and I've never corrected them." I have no idea! (NBC News)

RIP Robert J. Giurdanella

Robert J. Giurdanella, a fixture in this neighborhood where he was born and raised, died on Dec. 6. He was 89. 

He helped run family businesses Giurdanella Bros. Inc. on Bond Street and Bella Tiles, whose showroom on First Avenue at 11th Street closed in 2018 after 35 years in business. The warehouse remains around the corner on 11th Street. (The family also owns these buildings, among others in the neighborhood.)

Here are some passages from a colorful online obituary:

He was one of a kind and a true legend. He wanted things His Way. "My Way" by Frank Sinatra was his song. He was tough, yet compassionate. He was arrogant, yet humble. He liked to scream to get his point across (though always denied he was yelling), but he loved to laugh and smile more. 

He loved to be surrounded by family and friends and enjoyed nothing more than the holidays to visit with all our friends and have home-cooked meals. When he "helped" in the kitchen, he used no less than 4 bowls, 5 pots and pans, 20 utensils and 3 dish towels, not to mention the counter mess.

And...

While attending elementary and high school, he worked as a carpenter with his father and uncle at Giurdanella Bros. Inc. on 12th Street in Manhattan. Most notable to him was that he constructed incubators for the Board of Health so they could study snails. 

Robert loved photography and developed his own film in his own darkroom. He started Five Star Photos and was a wedding photographer for a couple of years. He also made Gold and Bronze shoes as mementos from baby shoes. When home on leave, he would hang out on 14th St & 3rd Ave with his friends. 

He is survived by his wife Ann (Fodera) Giurdanella of 64 years; children, Christine Giurdanella-Renzi and husband Peter Renzi, son, Carlo Giurdanella; grandchildren, Nicholas Anthony and wife Margaret (Thibadeau) Renzi, Alexandra Nicole Renzi, and Robert Jake Renzi.

Driver fleeing police charged in the hit-and-run death of delivery worker on Houston Street

The DA's office has indicted the hit-and-run driver who killed delivery worker Borkot Ullah as he crossed Houston Street at Clinton/Avenue B this past July.

According to the DA's office and published reports, 23-year-old Bronx resident Kenrick Cowan has been charged with manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, and leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death without reporting, among other charges, for fatally striking Ullah. According to Streetsblog, who first reported on this indictment, the top charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.

Authorities said that Cowan was arrested last month by the NYPD's Bronx Warrants Squad for an unrelated shooting in the Bronx and was later charged with killing Ullah, who was 24.

Around 10 p.m. on July 8, an unmarked police car pursued Cowan. Per the DA's statement:

NYPD officers attempted to pull Cowan over for speeding and committing other traffic violations as he drove his Subaru Outback eastbound on East Houston Street ... Cowan led the police officers on a high-speed chase, weaved through traffic, and drove through a red light at the corner of East Houston and Clinton Streets, where he struck Ullah — who was riding his bicycle north on Clinton Street — and then fled the scene.

As Streetsblog previously reported, a police chase preceded the collision, though the NYPD declined to comment on the case. 

Ullah is reportedly one of 13 delivery workers who have died this year in NYC — with at least 10 in crashes while on the job.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. said this in a statement from this past Thursday:

"Today we remember Borkot Ullah, a young immigrant and workers' rights advocate who worked tirelessly to support his family here in New York City and in Bangladesh. Food delivery workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the City thanks to reckless drivers who tear through our streets. We are committed to ensuring accountability for drivers that kill or injure cyclists and pedestrians ..."

A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $30,000 to help Ullah's family both here and in Bangladesh with expenses. His body was returned to Bangladesh, where he was buried on July 15.

This fall, a ghost bike was installed outside 8-10 Avenue B in Ullah's memory.

No. 14

Here's your annual reminder that EVG is another year older.

The very first post arrived on this site on this date in 2007. It was about Sophie's, which is why I posted the top pic. 

I explained the origins of this news site in our gala 13th-anniversary post right here. 

So let's use the rest of the allotted time in this post to thank you for reading the site, leaving comments, sharing tips, commiserating about the loss of a business and celebrating the best neighborhood around. As I've said before, this site doesn't work without you.

A big thanks to all the frequent contributors, especially Derek Berg and Steven, for their ongoing photo and tip submissions. And a special shout-out to Stacie Joy for her tireless work in documenting the businesses and residents of the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, a happy and healthy holiday season to you!

Seasonal stump art

'Tis the season for some holiday stump art here at the Seventh and B entrance to Tompkins Square Park. 

In recent months, someone has been creating installations atop the stump of the English Elm that came down in August 2020 during Tropical Storm Isaias. 

EVG reader Robert Minder shared this photo from October...

There's usually a "Twin Peaks" vibe to the art... which we appreciate.

Cornerstone Cafe calls it quits

The East Village has lost a solid breakfast spot. 

Yesterday, the owners of Cornerstone Cafe on the NE corner of Avenue B and Second Street announced its closure after 10-plus years in business. 

In an Instagram post, the Cornerstone cited the ongoing pandemic and the city's related mandates and restrictions for the closure...

The restaurant opened in the early summer of 2011. 

Cornerstone Cafe made headlines in August 2017 after a member of the waitstaff used an Asian slur about a customer on a printed receipt. Management fired the employee and issued an apology.

H/T Salim!