Last day for 'The Three Rhinos' on Astor Place

After nearly three months on Astor Place, it's time for "The Last Three" sculpture to move on.

Australian artists Gillie and Marc Schattner will be moving their 17-foot bronze sculpture, which arrived here on on March 15, later tonight.

The Schattners recreated the last three Northern White Rhinos – Sudan, Najin, and Fatu – "to inspire, educate and mobilize the global community to raise their voices and affect real change against illegal rhino poaching trade." (Shortly after the sculpture's unveiling, the BBC reported that Sudan had died.)

Visitors to the sculpture were encouraged to leave a goodbye message ... with the artists hoping to collect 1 million messages worldwide to "put them toward a petition for approaching governments about eliminating the demand for rhino horns through education." You can read more about the project here.



The sculpture had its fans... for example...

❄️ Snow begins to cover "The Last Three" rhino sculpture located in Astor Place, New York City on April 2, 2018. The incredible 17-foot-tall interactive artwork is being created to raise critical awareness about rhino conservation. (Photo: Gordon Donovan) #GOODBYERHINOS pic.twitter.com/ZfP498efaF

— Gordon Donovan (@gordonovan) April 2, 2018

Cool new artwork on Astor Place #nyc. “The Last Three”, highlighting the threat of extinction which looms over rhinos. pic.twitter.com/z3z7cIAUU9

— NYU Primatology (@nyuprimatology) March 25, 2018

Upon its unveiling, New York magazine art critic Jerry Saltz wrote that "it is an ugly, bathos-filled folly that proves my adage that 95 percent of all public sculpture is crap. ... It’s like a Vegas acrobatic act."

In any event, the sculpture won't be going too far: the Schattners will be moving it to a yet-to-be-disclosed new location in NYC.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A sneak preview of the world's largest rhino sculpture, coming to Astor Place early next year

World's tallest rhino sculpture arrives on Astor Place this week

The rhinos have arrived on Astor Place

6 months of inactivity at 75 1st Ave.

The new development site at 75 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street has remained dormant since the DOB issued a Stop Work Order here back on Jan. 11.



The DOB complaint from January notes "no protection for pedestrians." (Several EVG readers have also noted how dicey this stretch is for cyclists too.)



However, it appears there will be some work starting up here again soon... the city recently rescinded part of the Stop Work Order in order for workers to relocate the pedestrian walkway...





Despite the slow-going here with construction, the sales phase commenced last August for what will be an 8-floor, 22-unit condoplex. The four units on the market are asking between $1.79 million and $2.25 million.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Developer: A shorter building in the works now for 75 First Avenue

High-rise for 75 First Avenue back in play

Long-stalled First Avenue site now has a brand-new rendering

Report: Long-dormant 1st Avenue development site changes hands

Plywood report and the future of 75 1st Ave. (Spoiler: condos)

Sales underway for Rite Aid-adjacent condoplex on 1st Avenue

Monday's parting shot

Lola Sáenz shared this late-afternoon photo from deep in the forest of Tompkins Square Park...

News roundup: Feds say that the NYCHA covered up public housing dangers for years

BREAKING: In a blistering new report, Feds find NYCHA managers lied for years about squalid conditions; City agrees to pay $2 billion and appoint a federal monitor https://t.co/wihP4BFBGL via @NYDNGregSmith pic.twitter.com/dMv6k50sKA

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) June 11, 2018

Here are some excerpts from today's news coverage about how the city reportedly covered up dangerous public health conditions at NYCHA properties for the past eight years.

Via The New York Times:

The federal government on Monday delivered a withering rebuke of New York City’s housing authority, accusing officials of systematic misconduct, indifference and outright lies in the management of the nation’s oldest and largest stock of public housing.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said the authority, which houses at least 400,000 poor and working-class residents, covered up its actions, training its staff on how to mislead federal inspectors and presenting false reports to the government and to the public about its compliance with lead-paint regulations. The failures endangered tenants and workers for years, the prosecutors said, and potentially left more children than previously known poisoned by lead paint in their apartments.

Via Politico:

The report concludes a two-year investigation into one of Mayor Bill de Blasio's biggest managerial failings.

De Blasio signed a consent decree with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan that commits the city to $1 billion over four years and $200 million in subsequent years to fix dire conditions throughout the housing authority's 325 complexes.

In doing so, he took more ownership of an agency whose head he appoints but which is legally a responsibility of the federal government. Any changes will be made under the watch of a federally appointed monitor.

Via NBC 4:

As a result of the settlement, NYCHA will now have to create three new departments: one for compliance, one for environmental health and safety, and one for quality assurance.

Via the Post's coverage of the news conference with Mayor de Blasio:

When a New York Times reporter suggested the mayor had been forced to sign the decree by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, rather than agreeing to it willingly, Hizzoner blew up.

“It was not forced, it was a decision, my friend. Seriously my friend, you represent a rather prestigious journalistic entity. Do not put words in someone’s mouth. That’s really not cool,” the mayor said. “I was not forced for a minute. I had the choice if I wanted to do something different to do something different. So really try and respect the truth.”

Earlier in the day, de Blasio issued a statement blaming NYCHA’s problems on "decades" of underfunding by the federal and state government, and "neglect" by prior city administrations.

You may read the consent decree here ... and the complaint here.

Noted

The IHOP-IHOb reveal occurred this morning.

Here's USA Today:

IHOP announced that it was changing its name to "IHOb," with the “b” denoting burgers. The change is not permanent, a company spokeswoman said, but rather is a move to promote its new burger line.

Known for its pancakes, the newly dubbed IHOP is releasing seven Ultimate Steakburgers as part of its rebranding effort — all the while keeping its breakfast items on the menu.

Unfortunately, the name change didn't go the way that some people wanted...

International House Of Brian Eno https://t.co/u54UfQgDLK

— Brian Eno (@BrianEnoMusic) June 10, 2018

Lancelotti Housewares expands on Avenue A

Some positive small-business news to share ... Lancelotti Housewares, which opened in 1996, has expanded into the recently vacated adjacent space at 66 Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. The new space debuted this past Friday...

A post shared by Lancelotti Housewares (@lancelottinyc) on Jun 8, 2018 at 12:46pm PDT

And earlier...

SO EXCITED to announce that our little store is growing!! Stay tuned for more info! 🔨👷‍♀️🌈🎉 #shopsmall #eastvillage #avenuea #housewares

A post shared by Lancelotti Housewares (@lancelottinyc) on May 26, 2018 at 10:08am PDT

The space next door became available when Mast Books moved to the corner at Fifth Street.

The 7 restaurants that have closed on the Bowery in the past year

This past weekend, the owners of Hecho en Dumbo (b. 2010) and Cherche Midi (b. 2014) shut down their respective restaurants.

This makes, since last spring, seven restaurant closings on (or near!) the Bowery between Fourth Street and just south of Houston. Other recent casualties:

• L'Apico (b. 2012), 13 E. First St. in the Avalon Bowery complex.

• DBGB (b. 2010), 299 Bowery


[The former Wise Men]

• Wise Men (b. 2013), 355 Bowery

• Agozar! (b. 2002), 324 Bowery

• Paulaner Brauhaus (b. 2013), 265 Bowery



There was also Rebelle (b. 2015) at 218 Bowery just south of Prince Street.

In any event, there weren't any reasons provided for the closures. DBGB chef-owner Daniel Boulud told this to The New York Times: "In this location, it’s busy on weekends but erratic in the early part of the week."


[The memory of DBGB lives on in Extra Place]

There are, of course, plenty of other places to drink and dine along here, starting at Fourth Street and down to Houston — BBar and Grill, Phebe's, the Bowery Market, Great Jones Cafe (close enough), Gemma, the Wren, Sorbillo Pizzeria, Bar Primi, Think Coffee, Saxon & Parole, 310 Bowery Bar, Sláinte, Bowery Meat Company, Baar Baar and the food court at Whole Foods Market® Bowery. Perhaps there are just too many choices.

Wax off: Mr. Moustache has closed on 14th Street

Mr. Moustache has closed its (his?) doors here on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

The cafe sold coffee, teas and desserts, opening in the spring of 2016.

The space was home for years to Russian Souvenirs, which closed in July 2015 following a rent increase.

And I wonder where that Russian Souvenirs sign is now?

Thanks to Pinch for the photo and tip!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Wax on: Mr. Moustache Coffee Shop signage arrives on East 14th Street

The former Russian Souvenirs will become a coffee shop on East 14th Store

A Stop Work Order at 118 E. 1st St.

Back on Friday, workers slapped a Stop Work Order on the plywood at 118 E. First St. near Avenue A.

There was a meeting of the hard hats behind the plywood...



Eventually, the work order was rescinded...



... though the only work allowed for now is, per the paperwork, "emergency remedial work at rear exposure to install bracing."





There is a complaint on file with the DOB stating that the excavation work is causing an adjacent building to shake, and cracks have developed.

No. 118 will eventually yield a 9-story residential building with seven residences and a retail space. We had the first look at the rendering back on May 4.

Previously on EV Grieve:
118 E. 1st St. arrives on the market with so many possibilities, and air rights

118 E. 1st. St. will yield to a new 9-floor residential building

Demolition of 118 E. 1st St. begins to make way for 9-story residential building

Construction starts at 118 E. 1st St., future home of a 9-floor residential building

Here's what the new condoplex at 118 E. 1st St. will look like

Silky Kitchen set for 13th Street

A new restaurant is coming to 137 E. 13th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

The owners are on tonight's CB3-SLA committee agenda for a new beer-wine license. However, given the method of operation and the fact that the owners agreed to CB3's stipulations, this item will not be heard in front of the committee.

There's not much information on the applicant's questionnaire posted on the CB3 website (PDF here) other than the name — Silky Kitchen.

Silky Kitchen's method of operation is described as a "Chinese food restaurant." Their hours will be 9 a.m. to midnight daily.

The space was previously home to Mandolino Pizzeria, which closed in March after 14 months in business.

Plywood comes down at under-renovation Tarallucci e Vino

Back on Friday we noted that Tarallucci e Vino remained behind the renovation plywood on First Avenue and 10th Street during renovations... work was apparently a little behind schedule.

However, this past weekend, EVG regular Lola Sáenz shared these photos of the space after workers removed the plywood.



Still no word on a reopening date. The cafe, which opened in 2001, has been out of service since February.

UPDATED: The cafe reopened on June 12.

About halfway there at the incoming Moxy East Village

Looks as if workers are up to about the sixth floor here on 11th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue...



When complete some day, this will be a 13-story, 285-key hotel for Marriott's Moxy brand.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A few more details about the incoming Moxy East Village on 11th Street