Workers clear the weeds from 123 2nd Ave., which is currently off the market

[Photo from Wednesday]

The weeds have been growing in the empty lot where the three buildings — No. 119, 121 and 123 — were destroyed in the deadly gas explosion of March 26, 2015.

On Wednesday, workers arrived at the former 123 Second Ave., as these photos by EVG correspondent Steven show ...





... and cleared the lot...



In early March, George Pasternak, the landlord of 123 Second Ave., put his vacant plot of land up for sale, asking $9.7 million. According to the listing at the Compass brokerage firm, No. 123 is currently off the market...



However, the adjacent properties, 119 and 121 Second Ave., owned by Maria Hrynenko, who faces various charges, including involuntary manslaughter, remain untouched.



Workers also removed the small plaque that marked the former site of Pommes Frites...



Updated 9:30 a.m.

The Pommes Frites flyers are back...


[Photo by Steven]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Updated: 2nd Ave. explosion — landlord, 3 others charged with 2nd degree manslaughter; showed 'a blatant and callous disregard for human life'

Former residents talk about landlord Maria Hrynenko: 'it was clear she wanted to get rid of anyone with a rent-regulated apartment'

Report: 123 2nd Ave. is for sale

Selling 123 Second Ave.

Tompkins Square no longer a park according to Google Maps

EVG reader Mike W. noticed this ... Tompkins Square Park doesn't exist on Google Maps for whatever reasons. (A quick check shows that Washington Square Park is still on the Map...)

Anyway, maybe the mayor's office sold the land to a developer and didn't tell anyone...

Happy 40th anniversary Fineline Tattoo

A photo posted by Fineline Tattoo (@finelinetattoonyc) on Aug 12, 2016 at 9:16am PDT

The shop at 19 First Ave. between First Street and Second Street celebrates 40 years today (details here). It is the oldest tattoo shop in Manhattan.

In February 2013, we interviewed Fineline owner and founder Mike Bakaty.

I had tattoos from when I was a kid and when I was in the Navy, so I looked around the city and there was nothing here. Tattooing was banned in the city from 1962 to 1997, when we moved into this shop. At the time, the nearest place was up in Yonkers called Big Joe’s. I spent two years going up there, hanging out, watching and gleaning information. I was in the process of getting my old work covered up and I’d be asking questions and everybody would shut up. They didn’t give up the information. And the more they shut up, the more interested I became. Fortunately, there was a guy visiting up there that became a key figure in modern tattooing, named Zeke Owen, who was the first to give me any real information. And by 1976 I started tattooing.

Mike passed away in January 2014. Mike's son Mehai Bakaty had worked with his father for many years ... and is now running Fineline. You can read an interview with Mehai this week at BoweryBoogie and DNAinfo.

Package theft from an East 11th Street lobby

An EVG reader shared this:

My building on East 11th Street between Avenue A and B had some packages stolen yesterday. After reviewing the security footage we saw the guy in the purple shirt hanging out on the sidewalk pretending to be on the phone and then he followed the USPS guy in after he was buzzed in.

He then proceeded to fill his large bag with the packages that were just delivered and left.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Watch this man help himself to packages from an East 7th Street lobby

Another report of stolen packages from an East Village lobby

Watch this guy take all the packages from an East 3rd Street building lobby

Activity at the long-vacant corner of 14th Street and Avenue C

An EVG reader noted that workers arrived yesterday at 644 E. 14th St., the long-empty lot on the southwest corner of Avenue C. Nothing too major to point out, other than some freshly churned dirt (from some soil testing?) and newly painted plywood.

In any event, it marks the first there has been much here to note in the way of construction activity.

Last month, The Real Deal reported that Brooklyn's Rabsky Group sold the property to Opal Holdings for $23 million. (Per their website: "Opal Holdings targets value-added or opportunistic properties in the office, retail, residential and hotel sectors, to be repositioned or redeveloped.")

Not sure at this point what might be repositioned or redeveloped. Maybe the R&S Strauss auto parts store, which closed in April 2009? (It was demolished in early 2015.)

There are approved permits for a 14-story building totaling 63,932 square feet, with 8,064 square feet for retail ... and 21,991 square feet for a community facility. However, it's unclear if these are the plans that Opal would stick with moving forward.

Whenever construction actually commences, crews will likely have to contend with some serious de-watering activity... the developers two blocks to the west at 438 E. 14th St. have said that they found unusually elevated groundwater levels and exceedingly soft and unstable soil owing to the presence of an underground stream.

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

Plywood arrives for 131 Avenue A; new Cajun restaurant on the way?

Workers yesterday erected plywood around 131 Avenue A, the former 10 Degrees Bistro and Flea Market Cafe between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

Back in December, CB3 OK'd a beer-wine license for the owners of Shoolbred's and Kingston Hall (and formerly Ninth Ward) on Second Avenue. The CB3 meeting notes refer to the new establishment as "a New Orleans Cajun restaurant." (Per the meeting notes, the applicants were seeking a full-liquor license; they also faced opposition from several nearby block associations.)

The space has been sitting dormant in recent months. There had reportedly been gas issues in the building, which ultimately led to the eviction/closure of next-door neighbors Nino's and Yoshi Sushi. Perhaps landlord Citi Urban has those gas issues resolved.

H/T Lola Sáenz

Previously on EV Grieve:
New-look Flea Market Cafe shows itself on Avenue A; reopens March 11

Flea Market Cafe reopens today, and here's the menu

Was the fire at Flea Market yesterday suspicious?

On Avenue A, Flea Market Cafe is now Ten Degrees Bistro

The Marshal seizes 10 Degrees Bistro on Avenue A

10 Degrees Bistro won't be reopening on Avenue A

Team behind Shoolbred's and Ninth Ward vying for 10 Degrees Bistro space on Avenue A

Chi Snack Shop opening in the former Mamoun's space on St. Mark's Place

[EVG photo from December]

You may have noticed renovations in recent weeks at 22 St. Mark's Place, the former Mamoun's space between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. (Mamoun's relocated to 30 St. Mark's Place in May.)

Per EVG correspondent Steven, signage went up yesterday at No. 22 for Chi Snack Shop...



...which is going to be an Asian snack shop serving a variety of candies, cakes and other desserts. Workers said the Snack Shop should be open in two weeks.

Rescheduled 'Romeo + Juliet' plays tonight in Tompkins Square Park

Last week's free film in Tompkins Square Park — the 1996 version of "Romeo + Juliet" with Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio — was rained out. So the organizers are doing a make-up screening tonight.

The evening includes a food fair/fest starting at 5 with vendors from the Eastville Restaurant Collective, which includes GG's, Boulton & Watt and Huerta's.

Check the Films in Tompkins Facebook page for any updates on tonight's screening.

And tonight's free film is also the last one of the six-week summer series. One rainout of out six. Not bad compared with previous summers.

Cab collision on 9th Street and 3rd Avenue

EVG reader Charlie Chen shared these photos from last night around 10 ... showing the aftermath of a cab collision on Ninth Street at Third Avenue...





There isn't any official word on cause or extent of injuries. Charlie saw one passenger in a neck brace at the scene and EMTs placing another passenger on a stretcher.

Logan Hicks back at work on the Houston/Bowery Mural Wall

Logan Hicks, known for his photorealistic stenciled paintings, was up early (out late?) at the Houston/Bowery Mural Wall today... redoing the work — titled "Story of My Life" — that he began in late July that got wiped out by the heat and torrential rain. (Workers have refurbished the wall with weatherproof panels.)

And several readers have said there are security guards here 24/7 via landlord Goldman Properties to see that the wall isn't the victim of hijinks.

Workers take drastic action against unattended chairs in Tompkins Square Park

Chairs, you have been warned!



Photos today by Derek Berg

Feltman's of Coney Island now open on St. Mark's Place

[Joseph Quinn points to the to-go window at 80 St. Mark's Place.]

As a follow-up to yesterday's post... the Feltman's of Coney Island stand is now open for business at the William Barnacle Tavern at Theatre 80, 80 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

You can grab a hot dog to go from the sidewalk window or have one inside the Tavern. Feltman's toppings are sauerkraut, chopped onions, shredded cheddar, chili and their own Spicy Apple Cider Vinegar Mustard. (No ketchup or pump cheese, sorry!) They are also selling Coney Island Knishes.

The revived Feltman's brand is owned by brothers and Brooklyn natives Michael and Joseph Quinn.

The Feltman's hours are for now Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Feltman's is named after Charles Feltman, purportedly the inventor of the hot dog as well as the restaurant that was located in Coney Island from 1870-1954.