A moment in the ongoing East Houston Reconstruction Project

As the East Houston Reconstruction project creeps along, already three years behind schedule, EVG reader EV Rob says that he was getting tired of seeing the new medians as well as the East First Street pedestrian plaza filled with weeds and trash.

"I check the weekly bulletin they issue just to see what's coming. They listed those weed-ridden plots as accomplishments," EV Rob wrote us in an email.

And he wondered why the center medians from the Bowery to Sixth Avenue are usually maintained and manicured ... yet those from FDR to First Avenue are overgrown with weeds as tall as 6 feet in a few spots...







So EV Rob sent an email last Thursday to the project's community rep... Not only did Rob receive a response that day, he also saw that on Friday a crew started cleaning up the Greenstreets pedestrian plaza outside Punjabi Deli ...



The rep offered an apology and said that the DDC would clean up the medians "then turn them over to the Parks Department for all future maintenance."

EV Rob said that was impressed that someone got back to him... and took action.

Meanwhile! There was talk that the whole project might be wrapping up this month. However, DNAinfo reports that there is now a further delay in the the already-prolonged project. Spring 2017 is the new completion date.

The DDC has been reconstructing/replacing combined sewers, trunk main, water mains, catch basins, fire hydrants, sidewalks, etc., etc., along East Houston Street, from the Bowery to the FDR Drive. This work phase started in June 2010, when the Lakers beat the Celtics to win their 16th NBA Championship and "Jonah Hex" was playing in theaters.

Happy Labor Day.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Coming soon to East Houston: Construction, hell, rodent control stations

Long-threatened East Houston reconstruction starting this month

East Houston Street construction will be a living hell for an extra year

How you can help Punjabi Grocery & Deli stay in business

Never-ending construction continues to hurt Punjabi Grocery & Deli

Taxi Relief Stand arrives on Avenue A; Punjabi Grocery & Deli relieved

Sept. 4

Photo today outside the Tile Bar on First Avenue at Seventh Street via Vinny & O...

Looks as if the lights are still attached ...



Happy Labor Day Weekend!

A moment on 2nd Avenue today

Outside Moishe's Bake Shop on Second Avenue today via Derek Berg

You likely saw this closure coming

A closure to note from this past week... the psychic who had set up a psychic reading shop on East Sixth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B has closed after just six months of psychicing.

Despite a competitive $10 psychic reading deal and loyal fanbase nearby at Josie's, the business just couldn't sustain itself.

The space, which previously housed a (short-lived) organic dry cleaners-cafe, is now for rent.

Previously on EV Grieve:
You likely had a feeling of what is opening in this storefront on East 6th Street

Openings: Guac NYC, Chi Snack Shop & Roll It Up

A few recent openings around the neighborhood...



Guac NYC is up and running at 179 Avenue B between 11th Street and 12th Street. The Mexican restaurant is run by Vincent Sgarlato, who owns and operates Eleven B and 11B Express across Avenue B.

You can find the Guac menu (featuring 11 varieties of guacamole) here.

The address was home to Mercadito until March 2015.

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[Photo by Steven]

Chi Snack Shop opened this past week at 22 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... the shop specializes in Asian snacks and sweets.

Mamoun's relocated from here to 30 St. Mark's Place in May.

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[Photo by Steven]

And Roll It Up ice cream has arrived at 65 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue... the nautical-themed shop sells Hong Kong egg waffles and Thai ice cream rolls.

[Updated] Ess-A-Bagel's new location is now open

[Image via Facebook]

The wait is over for fans of Ess-A-Bagel ... the owners have announced via Facebook an opening date for their new store at 324-326 First Ave. at East 19th Street in Stuy Town.


Not sure about an opening time — one wasn't listed with the post. (Will add store hours when they are available.)

There have been a few delays. February was the first opening date. Co-owner David Wilpon had said that the delay in opening had to do with obtaining numerous city permits to build out their new space.

Ess-a-Bagel closed its 40-year-old shop on First Avenue at East 21st Street in March 2015 following a landlord dispute.

Updated 9/5

As several commenters noted, Ess-A-Bagel had its soft opening yesterday... and they are open today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I went by just after 8 and there were 16 people in line. (I did not stay....)



Previously on EV Grieve:
New 1st Avenue Ess-A-Bagel will have a TOASTER

Logan Hicks mural tagged again

The stenciled painting titled "Story of My Life" by Logan Hicks has been on the Houston/Bowery Mural Wall for less than two weeks... and the work has now been tagged twice in the last few days...

Goldman Properties, who owns the space, has been quick to clean up the tags... Will be interesting to see if this escalates to the level of Shepard Fairey hating in 2010.

The remaining unpaved portion of Cooper Square now with asphalt

Much to the delight of motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders and exhaust systems, that last stretch of Cooper Square between Fifth Street and Fourth Street has its new asphalt ... (as well as Fourth Street between Broadway and Second Avenue)...

The crew left the equipment out in case you see any spots they missed. (The keys are hidden in a compartment in the smokebox.)



Maybe they should keep milling and paving... the rest of the Bowery could used a new roadway...



According to the Astor Place-Cooper Square Reconstruction Newsletter (PDF), workers will be putting the pavement markings on the new asphalt next week.

LinkNYC-Zoltar showdown on 2nd Avenue

The latest LinkNYC kiosk went up yesterday on Second Avenue near St. Mark's Place...near the watchful eye of Zoltar. Not so sure this will be a friendly rivalry. ("I see you over there...")

Mikey Likes It Rocks the Bells

[Photo by Greg Masters]

LL Cool J is the artist of the month on the gate at Mikey Likes It, 199 Avenue A near East 12th Street. Andre Trenier's 1980s-flavored mural coincides with the flavor of the month — Rock the Bells.

Friday's parting shot

Lovely sunset these evening... here's a shot of it via East 13th Street by EVG reader Helene Burke...

Summer 'Lover'

Crocodiles recently released "Telepathic Lover," their first single from the upcoming album Dreamless out Oct. 21 on Zoo Music.

As Brooklyn Vegan noted, the new record marks a "sonic departure for the band," who is favoring piano and synths over fuzzed-out guitars this time around.