About the scaffolding at 125 2nd Ave.

On the topic of the Second Avenue explosion... several readers have asked about the scaffolding that arrived at the end of September on the south-facing wall at 125 Second Ave.

A reliable source told me workers are will be repointing the building, and it has nothing to do with any possible new construction in the now-empty adjacent lots.

As for those parcels... late last spring, Shaky Cohen's Nexus Building Development Group paid $9.15 million for 119 and 121 Second Ave. at Seventh Street. To date, there haven't been any new permits filed at the DOB.

In September 2016, the lot that housed 123 Second Ave. sold for $6 million. The buyer was reported as Ezra Wibowo under the LLC 123 Second Ave. Corp. His plans? "[I]t’s a long-term investment. He’s not in a rush to build or develop," a source told the Post last March.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner

Hitchcocktober movie of the week — 'Notorious!'

Tonight's Hitchcocktober movie of the week is "Notorious!" playing at 8 at the Village East Cinema on Second Avenue and 12th Street.

Here's a look at the Cary Grant-Ingrid Bergman spy noir...



And the upcoming Hitchcocktober films:

Oct. 19 — "Vertigo"

Oct. 26 — "Rebecca"

And on Oct. 31, Halloween night, there's a screening of "Psycho."

You can buy advance tickets here.

A wedding in Tompkins Square Park

On Sunday, East Village residents Yael Kanarek and Gili Getz, surrounded by friends, family and the neighborhood they love, were married in a ceremony in Tompkins Square Park (near the Slocum Memorial Fountain) ...





Following the short ceremony, the guests went to a celebration at Abraço, the cafe on Seventh Street where the couple are regulars.

Photos by Daniel Efram

Noted

EVG reader Brad212 notes an addition to the monument-sculpture along Avenue D here between Sixth Street and Seventh Street... there, up top...





The person/people responsible might say that the addition speaks for itself...

RIP Bonnie DeWitt

Bonnie DeWitt, an artist and teacher who lived in the East Village, died on Oct. 1. She was 34.

Here is part of her obituary, which does not mention the cause of death:

Born on August 11, 1983 in Plainview, NY, she was a daughter of David and Sara Dewitt. After graduating Old Beth Page John F. Kennedy High School in Plainview, she continued her education in Massachusetts at Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, graduating in 2005. In 2007 she earned a Masters in Fine Arts at the New York Academy of Art.

Bonnie went on to pursue her passion for art in Manhattan, working as curator of the Kraine Gallery in the East Village. She then redirected her love of art towards teaching. She taught at the New York Academy of Art for nearly a decade, specializing in figure drawing. Her innate artistic abilities and dedication to her craft fueled her desire to share her talent and knowledge.

She loved to explore New York's museums and would often take her art students on field trips to the Met. Outside of museums, she spent her free time in her beloved neighborhood, the East Village. She had a vibrant personality and a great sense of humor. Full of compassion, she loved animals, and was always a helping hand to others in a time of crisis.

Bonnie had a radiant presence; anyone who had the opportunity to cross paths with Bonnie would agree that she was someone everyone wanted to know. She was a true rarity, someone who was and will always be unforgettable.

This Saturday from 3-5 p.m., her friends and loved ones are gathering for a celebration of her life at the Fish Bar on Fifth Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square. Find more details at Facebook.

Ai Weiwei on 7th Street

[Photo yesterday by EVG reader Russell K.]

As previously reported, artist-activist Ai Weiwei's installations titled "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors" are going up around the city.

Yesterday, workers were installing the site-specific fencing at 48 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (Other local installations include 189 Chrystie St., 248 Bowery, Cooper Union and the Essex Street Market.)


[Photo by Derek Berg]

The press materials note that "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors" is "a reflection on the growing hostility toward immigrants and the rise of nationalism throughout the world."

This collaboration with the Public Art Fund is officially on view starting tomorrow through Feb. 11.


[Photo by DB]

The Dessert Kitchen opens on St. Mark's Place

The Dessert Kitchen is up and running (in soft-open mode) at 94 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue.

They serve "homemade Asian-fusion-styled desserts from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan," per their Facebook page.(Menu here.)



The Dessert Kitchen was previously over at 192 Bleecker St. near Sixth Avenue. I do not know the circumstances behind the closure there and move here.

This space on St. Mark's adjacent to Fun City Tattoo was previously a residence. Workers converted it into a storefront back in the late winter and early spring.

The return of the WASP

[On the Bowery]

You've probably seen the many No Parking-filming notices on parts of Sixth Street and Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... and on the Bowery for WASP2017...


[7th Street]

WASP2017 is short for Woody Allen's Summer Project, a still-untitled movie starring Elle Fanning, Selena Gomez, Jude Law, Diego Luna and Liev Schrieber, among many others. Crews will be filming in parts of the East Village today and tomorrow.

Last year, Allen filmed a few scenes for "Wonder Wheel" around here ... and in 2009, he was here shooting "Whatever Works" with Larry David.

DA: Man sentenced to 40 years in prison for November 2015 rape in East River Park

A man who attacked and raped a 26-year-old woman jogging near the FDR Drive and Cherry Street in November 2015 was sentenced to 40 years in prison today.

Here's part of the news alert from the DA's office:

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the sentencing of Paul Nies, 30, to 40 years in state prison and 20 years’ post-release supervision for raping and robbing a 26-year-old woman who was jogging in East River Park in November 2015.

On September 12, 2017, the defendant was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury of the top counts in the indictment against him, including Rape in the First Degree, Robbery in the Second Degree, and Strangulation in the Second Degree.

“This was a brutal stranger assault, and I commend the victim for her bravery in bringing her attacker to justice, as well as the prosecutors and members of law enforcement who worked tirelessly on this case,” said District Attorney Vance.

As proven at trial, at approximately 7:30 p.m. on November 25, 2015, NILES attacked a 26-year-old woman as she was jogging in East River Park and forced the victim to move to a different area of the park, where the defendant sexually assaulted her. Following the attack, Niles took the victim’s phone and credit card, which he later used at a fast food location in Brooklyn.

As The Lo-Down reported, at the time of the attack, "local residents complained about poor lighting in East River Park." A reader told the Lo-Down today that the new lighting is not working at this time.

Image from November 2015

First sign of upcoming renovations at the former Webster Hall

[Photo from Sept. 30]

The new owners of Webster Hall are taking the first steps toward renovating and updating the landmarked building at 125 E. 11th St. for use as a live-music-only venue.

Reps of the owners will be meeting with Community Board 3's Landmarks Committee next Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Here's the agenda item:

Certificate of Appropriateness, Webster Hall, 125 East 11th St: addition of three new doors at street level within the historic façade to improve ingress and egress, provide accessibility for the disabled, and allow more efficient load-in and out of performers.

And a notice of the meeting is posted on the building here between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue...



Adding three new doors doesn't sound like the most exciting-controversial development ... just one that's necessary to help upgrade the facility and make it ADA compliant. To date, work permits have yet to be posted with the DOB.

Webster Hall closed on Aug. 10. Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, along with AEG-backed The Bowery Presents, bought the building from the Ballinger family for $35 million in the spring.

The new owners will renovate the space, dropping the club nights to focus on live music. Some reports suggest that the new venue won't be ready until 2020. Billboard reported that there may be a name change here too.

Previously

[Updated] Construction watch: 421 E. 6th St.

[GIF via Meredith Rendall]

Late last week, workers removed the scaffolding on the west-facing wall of 421 E. Sixth St., the former Con Edison substation and Walter de Maria studio that Peter Brant is converting into an exhibition space.

This reveal provides the first look at the renovated circa-1920 building, which will reportedly host a few exhibits a year as an extension of the Greenwich, Conn.-based Brant Foundation Art Study Center ... and serve as a home for some of Brant's private art collection.

It might be worth taking a look at the progress here between Avenue A and First Avenue... starting with the Sixth Street side...





... and from the Seventh Street side...



Renovations are in the second year year. I don't even remember hearing about a completion date. "We plan to open it in a few years," Brant told the Times in October 2014 before the start of the construction.

The construction didn't really get going until April 2016. After complaints about the ongoing noise — particularly the jackhammering — the construction crew started posting a "weekly look ahead" schedule in August 2016 that outlines the work taking place.

Brant bought the building for $27 million in August 2014.

Updated 10/12

I haven't walked by in a few days... and the scaffolding is down on the Sixth Street side...



Previously on EV Grieve:
About that "giant-robot laboratory" on East Sixth Street

RIP Walter De Maria

What is your East Village dream home?

Walter De Maria's 'giant-robot laboratory' going for $25 million; inside is amazing as you'd expect

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

Work on disaster protection for Haven Plaza underway

Work started this past week on a natural disaster-resistant infrastructure to protect Haven Plaza in case of another destructive hurricane such as Sandy.

The project was announced back in the early summer for the affordable-housing complex on Avenue C at 13th Street.

Here's is a recap via the media advisory:

This new two-story structure plus basement and the upgrades throughout the complex are in direct response to 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, when the nearby East River overflowed its banks, the Con Edison East River Generating Station adjacent to Haven Plaza exploded, and, as a result, Haven Plaza lost all electricity and steam for heat. Residents – many elderly – were trapped without elevator service, electricity, heat or water. Men and women of the National Guard shared their field rations with residents until the power returned.

The $9.89-million project, which received the funding through the New York City Build It Back program, is expected to be complete in August 2018, per the new plywood signage.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Protection for Haven Plaza on Avenue C in case of another hurricane like Sandy