That roadwork on Avenue A this afternoon

There was quite a construction production this afternoon on Avenue A between 11th Street and 12th Street.

EVG regular Gojira passed along these shots of the work taking place for:

a) A new entrance for the L train
b) A moat for Steiner East Village
c) An SBS ticketing machine

The correct answer is C, though, given the amount of activity, A and B didn't seem implausible.

The MTA started installing SBS ticketing machines along the M14A/D routes back in April. That SBS service — with all-door boarding and pre-boarding payment — is expected to start this month.









Earlier in May, the MTA announced that it was axing several stops along the 14A and 14D to speed up service, especially during the current L-train slowdown.

Per Curbed:

The route, which is set to roll out in June, will nix 16 stops and add one instead of slashing the originally planned 22 stops. After fierce advocacy from riders, the M14 will retain five stops that were originally on the chopping block, including two M14A stops on Grand Street and a stop at Columbia and Rivington streets on the M14D, the MTA said.

Previously

EVG Etc.: 'Mom-and-Pop Storefronts' in focus; LGBTQ icons in Stuy Town; Jim Jarmusch at Metrograph

[Photo on St. Mark's Place by Derek Berg]

• Study: The number of affordable apartments spurred by a partial rezoning of the East Village and Lower East Side in 2008 fell short of the city’s projections, creating only 55 percent of the below-market-rate apartments estimated (Curbed)

• Democratic lawmakers are racing to renew the state’s rent laws before they expire on June 15 (City & State)

• A feature on the latest project from EV residents James and Karla Murray — “Capturing the Faces and Voices of Mom-and-Pop Storefronts” (amNY)

• Preview of the Lower East Side Film Festival (B+B)

• Neighbors are coming together to help pay for emergency oral surgery on Oreo, the cat who hangs out in the 6th & B Community Garden (Official site)

• East Village merchants among those interviewed in a piece on how small businesses are surviving today (WWD)

• "Wig," the documentary on the rise of Wigstock, which started in the East Village, premieres on HBO on June 18 (Official site)

• The recently opened Black Emperor on 2nd Avenue near 12th Street has good bar food (Gothamist... previously on EVG)

• Portraits of LGBTQ icons arrive in Stuy Town (Town & Village)

Jim Jarmusch retrospect underway down on Ludlow Street (Metrograph)

• The White Horse Tavern's transformation into a "first-class gastro pub" (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

• The U.S.'s first poster museum opens this month in Chelsea (Hyperallergic)

• Catching up with CJ Ramone (LA Weekly)

And last night, an EVG reader who lives on Third Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue found an abandoned Sirrus men’s bicycle. Here are details via a Craigslist ad:

Found this bike laying on street next to a parked car on 3rd Street...

Unlocked but with a u-lock hanging on handle bar. There are some rather distinctive features that probably only the owner would be aware of, so shoot me a message to identify. I’m not looking for a reward — just want to get it to its rightful owner and it seems fancy (I’m bike ignorant).

So, if you’re missing a bike and can tell me a couple things that would narrow it to being yours (or you have a pic of it!), I’m more than happy to give it to you as my apartment is tiny and it’s now taking up my entire living room!!

You may contact the bike good samaritan via the Craigslist ad.

Kick out the jams: The 'Community of Dreams' piano arrives on Astor Place

One of the 50-plus pianos that Sing for Hope is placing around the city this month has arrived on Astor Place... on the north plaza near the uptown 6...



The piano, titled "Community of Dreams," was created by Joan Dilieto in collaboration with Hetrick-Martin Institute and SVA.



The piano is expected to be here through June 23... then it's off to find a new home in an NYC city school.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Miscelanea NY announces June 16 closing date

[Photo by Stacie Joy from January]

Guillaume Guevara (pictured above) announced yesterday that he's closing up Miscelanea NY, his quick-serve Mexican cafe and shop at 63 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

He broke the news via Instagram... he didn't offer a specific reason for the closure, just that it was time to end "our project called Miscelanea NY."



Miscelanea NY opened in the summer of 2015, and drew praise for its tortas.

In an interview with EVG contributor Stacie Joy in January, Guevara had this to say about the East Village and his shop:

For many years I lived in the East Village. I [later] moved to Brooklyn, so opening my business in the East Village was a great way to remain connected with a neighborhood that I love. To me the East Village is the best neighborhood in Manhattan — it has everything one needs and a sense of friendship and community.

To me, Miscelanea is not just a Mexican store, it's an all-inclusive trip to Mexico. You can learn about the culture through our books, about the fashion through our clothes, and about the cuisine through our food. Everything we serve is 100 percent Mexican and homemade whenever possible. Even our coffee comes from Chiapas, Mexico.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A visit to Miscelanea NY on 4th Street

Gelarto packs it up on Avenue A

Workers were spotted packing up Gelarto late yesterday afternoon on the northwest corner of Avenue A and Ninth Street (thanks to Steven for the photos)...



The desert shop's management announced via Facebook on May 15 that they'd be closing up in the weeks ahead. Here's part of the message:

It has been a great time for all of us at GELARTO NYC for the past 2 years, but all good things come to an end and that includes our time in the East Village.

We have made many friends and have many lovely and loyal customers on Avenue A, but have reluctantly decided to relocate. We will of course let everyone know as soon as we have our new address, but until then please note you can continue to purchase our gelato at Kings’ and Balducci’s stores (among others) in NY and NJ.

Gelarto, the first U.S. outpost of this Italian brand, opened in June 2017 with Vespa-inspired stools and a painting of the Mona Lisa holding an ice cream cone.

Landlord Icon Realty has had this listing (145 Avenue A) online for weeks now. Per the listing, the asking rent for the 600 square feet is $13,500.

With Gelarto's departure, four of the five businesses that opened in Icon Realty's renovated retail spaces along 441-445 E. Ninth St. (aka 145 Avenue A) have now closed in recent months.

Cafe Pick Me Up moved out away from the corner in May 2015 after 20 years in business. They were housed at 145 and 147 Avenue A, and had two different landlords — Icon on the left, Steve Croman on the right. Café manager Rossella Palazzo told DNAinfo in March 2015 that a rent hike from No. 145 landlord Icon Realty was the reason for the closure.

Updated 8:30 a.m.

Vinny & O shared this interior shot from this morning...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Rent hike forcing Cafe Pick Me Up into its smaller space next door on Avenue A

A two-wing building grows in Brooklyn

As you've likely noticed in recently months on East Houston (or Second Street or Third Street...) looking toward the east... something growing on the skyline...



The photos here from East Houston and Attorney show One South First at 260 Kent Ave., now Williamsburg's tallest building, which recently topped out at 42 floors at the Domino Sugar Refinery site.

And one day it will look like this ...


[Rendering via Cookfox]

The façade by Cookfox is supposed to be reminiscent of a stack of sugar crystals.

Tuesday's parting shots

From Tompkins Square Park today, riachung00 shares these photos... including of a (the?) blond-tailed squirrel...

A multi-vehicle collision with injuries reported on 2nd Avenue at 14th Street

Photojournalist Jefferson Siegel shared this photo from this evening around 7 at Second Avenue and 14th Street ... where there was a multiple-car collision. A cyclist was also struck.

A Lyft driver appeared to be unconscious and was trapped in his car for several minutes until firefighters were able to free him. He was removed to the hospital. The bicyclist appeared shaken. The condition of the other two drivers was unknown. Police stopped southbound traffic on 2nd Avenue at 15th Street.

The above photo shows firefighters working to remove the Lyft driver after placing a neck brace on him.

No word at the moment about the cause of the collision.

A 30th anniversary tribute to the Tiananmen Square protests on the LES

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests.

On this occasion, artist-photographer Adrian Wilson created a tribute on the marquee at the Cheese Grille on Allen Street between Stanton and East Houston...

View this post on Instagram

Just finished this tribute to those who were massacred in Tiananmen Square 30 years ago today. I remember seeing the guy stood in front of the tank and it perfectly symbolized the resolve of the ordinary citizen against his mighty oppressor. This spot is where tourist buses stop and near Chinatown and already so many Chinese have thanked me. The text says "Remember". #tiananmensquare #tianananmen

A post shared by Adrian Wilson's art page (@plannedalism) on Jun 4, 2019 at 2:11pm PDT

Tompkins Square Library branch hosts the NYPL's Summer Reading kickoff event

The Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B has the honor of kicking off the NYPL's Summer Reading event on Thursday.

"[This] is a huge deal for us, and it's the first time we've ever had it here," branch manager Corinne Neary told me.

The festivities (mostly) take place in Tompkins Square Park from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (In case of rain, the activities will happen inside the Tompkins Square Library branch.)

Here's more via the EVG inbox... (and find all the activities at this link):

We will have giveaways (including tickets from the New York Yankees,) face painting, tie dye, henna tattoos, photo booths, crafts, games, tech gadgets and more! There will also be visits from Sesame Street, the North Shore Animal League, and a slew of neighborhood organizations.

Sesame Street's Grover will make appearances at 10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m: DJ Dance Party! Get the day started with DJ Carol C, music, bubbles and beach balls!

11 a.m.: Opening Ceremony

11:30 a.m.: Drag Queen Story Hour and author Jessica Love — Join "Julián is a Mermaid" author Jessica Love and Drag Queen Story Hour's Rev. Yolanda for a fabulous literary experience that celebrates diversity, builds empathy and teaches tolerance. For children of all ages.

12pm: MAPS (Music Art Puppet Sound) artists Rachel Sherk and Aaron Rourk will be leading a fun-filled, art-making project for children of any age.

12-1 p.m.: The North Shore Animal League will have some adorable and adoptable animals inside the branch. Stop by the second floor children's room to meet them.

12:30 p.m: Musical Performance: Third Street Music School — Featuring music and dance performances by students from the school.

1:15 p.m.: Dance Performance: LEGACY, a professional Hip-Hop based dance company founded by head director/choreographer Lacey Thomas.

2 p.m.: NYPL Sings — Join us for a fun sing-along with some fantastic librarians!

3 p.m.: Music Performance: RPM, an acoustic improvisational group.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A visit to the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street

Here's the Sing for Hope piano for Astor Place

[Image via Instagram]

Starting today, the NYC-based nonprofit Sing For Hope will once again place 50 colorfully decorated pianos in parks and other locations around the five boroughs through June 23. The program is now in its eighth year.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Tompkins Square Park will host a piano as in previous years. (Unless Sing for Hope forgot to add it to the piano map.)

However, Astor Place will have a piano titled "Community of Dreams" created by Joan Dilieto in collaboration with Hetrick-Martin Institute and SVA. Here's more about her:

Born and raised in NY, with studios in both Red Hook and Capri, Italy, Joan has been a painter for many years bridging both cultures into the texture of her work. With the roots of an islander, the sea is always present “as above, so below.” Painting beauty, painting fiction, a mythological narrative emerges. Rich with the ancient art of storytelling, a cast of characters led by the divine feminine lead us into their Byzantine world. Intrigue and identity converge with alchemy and transformation.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Our piano is a collaboration between School of Visual Arts and Hetrick-Martin Institute inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s quote “I dream of painting then I paint my dream.” The youth participants of HMI painted their dreams on tiles that are collaged together onto the rainbow flag. Collage as a metaphor for the extraordinary community of HMI, echoing Sing For Hope’s mantra of #artforall.

A new tenant — and landlord — for the landmarked 137 2nd Ave.

Several EVG readers have noted a new tenant is moving into 137 Second Ave. (next door to the Ottendorfer library branch) between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

In January, The Real Deal reported that the Wing, a women-focused co-working firm, had leased the entire 22,000-square-foot landmarked building. An employee there confirmed to EVG correspondent Steven last week that the Wing was the new tenant.

We first reported that the building was for lease in April 2018.

Meanwhile, the neo-Italian Renaissance brick building has a new owner. According to a post @tradedny, the Cofinance Group, an international commercial real-estate investment firm, picked up the property for $18 million.

And now some dates in history: The building, the former German Dispensary that opened in 1884 before becoming the Stuyvesant Polyclinic in 1905, was designated a New York City Landmark in 1976. Learn more about its history and architecture at Off the Grid here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The historic 137 2nd Ave. — the former Stuyvesant Polyclinic — is for lease