A view of the Village View

High contrasts by EVG contributor jdx

Docking blues: Doing the 'checking-all-of-the-Citi Bike-stations dance'

During the past week, we've heard some grumbling from Citi Bike users who say that they continue to have problems finding an open space to dock their bikes at night in the East Village. The people we talked to say that they are fans of the program, but are growing frustrated by the distribution problems.

The Times reported yesterday on the program's "tricky juggling act" to "remove bikes from fully occupied stations, and to refill stations before the supply runs dry."

Meanwhile, there are stories of riders on the phone with Citi Bike reps, trekking from Astor Place to Avenue C and back to Astor Place in search of empty docking stations.

We walked around Wednesday night and found six full docking stations... and watched people ride by looking for a place to park. (Maybe this leads to some abandonment issues?)

We asked a few East Village residents to share their experiences... the following quotes are from residents who are fully supportive of the bike-share program. (For now, anyway...)

From a resident who lives on Avenue A and East Sixth Street:

"The availability just follows the rhythms of the day — in the mornings during the rush to go to work there are no bikes, and after work there are no [parking spots] because everyone has brought them back.

When I first decided to use the bikes to ride to the train, I was late to work a few days because I searched a few stations around me, and couldn't find any bikes. Evenings have the exact opposite problem; on Monday evening, I checked 6th and B, 7th and A, then finally caught someone pulling out at St. Mark's and 1st and rushed to get into the spot.

I wasn't the only one slowly riding around in circles waiting for a free spot; I noticed at least 2 other riders that I kept intersecting. Somehow, weekends aren't that much better. On Saturday, I was late to meet a friend because I spent time again doing the checking-all-of-the-Citi Bike-stations dance. On a Saturday afternoon!

So, unfortunately, I think I might need to shift my thinking around the bikes as something that I can use when the opportunity arises, versus a reliable, regular transportation method.

I think our neighborhood really needs additional stations. I originally imagined a huge boost to the quality of life in the area, but it's not quite there yet."

And this is from Matt:

"There have been a few signs of improvement recently, but not being able to find/dock a bike is still a frustrating issue. It used to be that if I left for work after 8:35 a.m., I knew not to expect to get a bike at my usual rack at 13th and A. Now it's less predictable — some days there might be a half-full rack, others all the bikes might have the red light on, and other's it'll be completely empty even if I'm early.

Same thing happens at night – if I leave work after a certain hour, I prepare myself for a trip around the East Village looking for a spot. Monday was a new record, when it took me 7 docks to find an open slot (13th and A, 10th and A, 14th and B, 12th and D, 9th and C, 5th and C, and 6th and B, until finally catching someone leaving at 7th and A). I think the most frustrating thing about those joyrides is that the app consistently says that openings are available at those docks.

I love the idea of Citi Bikes and still think they're the most exciting thing to happen to the city in a long time, but I hope they can pull this together."

Report: Injured East Village Farm and Grocery florist has lost his memory, use of his voice

Akkas Ali, the florist at East Village Farm and Grocery who was critically injured in June after an out-of-control driver jumped the curb, is currently a patient at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, N.J.

Last week, CB3 member Chad Marlow presented Ali's son, Rukanul Islam, 22, with a check for $18,047.32 — all money raised through the crowdsourcing campaign.

The Villager has an update on Mr. Ali's condition this week via his son:

[He] said his father is conscious, and will open his eyes if someone is in the room and talking to him. He can turn his head and point to people with his right arm, and can raise his right leg. But his left leg and ankle are injured, and he’s not moving that leg or his left arm, either.

He is also intubated — periodically put on a ventilator to help him breathe — and because the tube crosses over his vocal chords, he cannot currently talk.

In addition, as a result of brain injury suffered from the force of the impact, he has completely lost his memory, and currently doesn’t even recognize his own family members.

However dire, Ali's son said that "his condition is getting better."

Shaun Martin, who prosecutors say was drunk "and high on PCP" when he drove his car onto a Second Avenue sidewalk on June 19, pleaded not guilty during his arrangement in Manhattan Supreme Court last month.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Car smashes into East Village Farm & Grocery on Second Avenue; 6 reported injured (62 comments)

Campaign launched to raise money for gravely injured East Village Farm and Grocery worker

1st week of crowdsourcing campaign for injured East Village Farm and Grocery worker raises $11k

Memories from Avenue B

Bloom 62 is a new luxury building on Avenue B at East Fifth Street that features a landscaped roof deck with showers, Weber grills and a "teak sundeck" for apartment dwellers paying upwards of $7,600... the building was formerly the Cabrini Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation ... and the American Nursing Home.

This development brought back some memories for artist Julius Klein, who lived next door for 11 years.

-----

For many years, (’82 –’93) living at 60 Ave. B, Apt 2B, between 4th & 5th St., late at night, while laying in bed, I would hear wailings coming from the then named American Nursing Home, across the loading dock. It was a regular, nightly utterance — “arolegemmyt yato me air”, like hearing a cubistic coyote in the distant desert.



Again, another night lying in bed, say, 3:45 am, “aerol, aerol, osh oshh –mtwon”.

One night, when well oiled on mushrooms, it became clear to me.

“HAiRrrrOLDD, ET E OT O ERE”!!!
“HAROLD, GET ME OUT OF HERE”!

In the 80ies and into the 90ies, a grand yearly 4th of July party was held in the back seating area behind the loading dock. It was mainly a party for the staff, as the band hired yearly, was a sort of funk jazz R&B ensemble.



The old folks would be wheeled out and afflicted by the way too loud, amplified sound. You could see them pushing their arms forward, as if to push the offending sound away, as they then covered their ears, the staff trying to sell them on the musical offerings such as “Grooving, on a sunny afternoon, La La La.”

At some point, the lead singer, the MC, without any sense of irony, posed the question. “Does anyone here know who Old Blue Eyes is?” the one song in their set approaching era appropriateness for the audience.

After a few moments the band jumped into Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” — “And now the end is hear, and so I face the final curtain”.

It just felt, from my 2nd story window, a bit cruel ... and a bit funny too.

And so it went, and so it goes ...

A 6-story condo grows at former East 7th Street parking lot

We've been checking in on the the progress of several new luxury buildings going up ... at 227 E. Seventh St. near Avenue C ... and 401 E. Eighth St. at Avenue D ... work is also underway at the former parking lot at 277 E. Seventh St. near Avenue D, home one day to a six-floor, six-unit apartment building. Work is currently in the annoy-the-neighbors excavation phase.

Curbed got the scoop this week with a look at the building's rendering from Eisner Design.



And some building details per Curbed:

There are five 1,200-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes — two of which have private rooftop decks— and the sixth unit is a 900-square-foot ground level apartment, which has a private garden.

The interiors will feature wide plank floors, white lacquered kitchen cabinetry, Caesarstone counters, etc. Construction is set to wrap by Spring 2014.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The next sliver of space for development: The parking lot at 277 Seventh St.

Seventh Street parking lot destined to become 6-floor apartment building

A look at the dwindling number of East Village lots

City OK's 6-floor, 6-unit condo for former East Seventh Street parking lot

Former Butter Lane Cupcakes classroom on the market

Earlier in the summer, Butter Lane Cupcakes closed for a few days on East Seventh Street to revamp their space... mostly to combine their classroom annex with their retail operation.

Said Butter Lane co-owner Maria Baugh: "It's more authentic (and convenient) to have classes in the shop and people get a feel for what it's like to be in a real, working bakery."

Anyway, that annex space is now on the market... no word on asking rent. But it's a great block.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Butter Lane combines spaces on East Seventh Street

This story might make you feel better about life in general

The Villager has a feature this week that will restore your faith in... well, whatever needs to be restored.

Meet Mel and Sheryl London, who have been married for 67 years and have lived in the same East Village apartment since 1958.

Sheryl is from Brooklyn; Mel from the Bronx.

"A mixed marriage," Mel quipped.

Through the changes of the Eighties, Nineties and the recent years, they still feel the same about their home.

"What a remarkable city!" Mel said passionately. "When I walk through the streets, however slowly, it keeps me alive."

There is no reason to pine for the good old days. They are still living them.

Read the whole article here.

Tim Hortons has apparently closed for good on East Houston

Back on July 26 we noted that the Tim Hortons-Cold Stone Creamery combo on East Houston near Ludlow had temporarily closed ... signs pointed to "utility line maintenance," something that didn't seem to impact any of the other businesses along here...

A reader sends along word that they are done for good. The location is no longer listed on the Tim Hortons website. The phone just rings and rings. And the temporarily closed sign is gone.

The former NHL star, who spent some 20-plus years in the league, launched the business in Canada in 1964 ... he died in a car crash in 1974.

Previously on EV Grieve:
How do we feel about a Tim Hortons opening on East Houston?

Tonight

Wow. What a night. (There's even a free movie in the Park!) A view from the East Village this evening by Sally Davies.

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

[Rickshaw Spidey preps the yarn cart. Photo by Bobby Williams]

Bill de Blasio for mayor (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

15 classic cars of the East Village (Liberation Iannillo)

A mystery behind Henington Hall on East Second Street (Off the Grid)

RIP to these NYC record stores (Flaming Pablum)

[Video] Summer rain in Tompkins Square Park (Gog in NYC)

A visit to Oda House on Avenue B (The New York Times)

Sexton to leave NYU in 2016 (Gothamist)

New owners for Kossar’s Bialys on Grand (The Lo-Down)

The turtles of M’Finda Kalunga Garden (BoweryBoogie)

Ghost signage on Delancey (Ephemeral New York)

... and starting tonight at CICNN151, 151 Avenue C...

This morning

Some morning streetscenes via EVG reader Sam Teichman ... not sure what had happened in that top photo on St. Mark's Place. Remnants of a wacky bridal shower or bachelorette party? Hard to say!

Long-stalled East 8th Street lot coming back as 9-story residential building — with penthouse

Work has resumed on East Eighth Street at Avenue D... site of a long-stalled parcel. Various plans came and went, and the lot hit the market for $5.2 million in July 2011.



The DOB has partially approved plans for the following: NEW NINE STORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WITH PENTHOUSE.



Akeeb Shekoni of Queens-based Akson Architect is listed as the architect... and the building's owners are the vague 399 E8 Development LLC.

Meanwhile, there have been four complaints filed about the site since work began in recent weeks... including calls about a worker not wearing a safety helmet and a pile driver causing a crack in the adjacent building's wall. Inspectors didn't find any violations at the time of inspection.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Meanwhile, before we christen Avenue D the next Greenpoint...

Stalled development site on Eighth Street and Avenue D asking $5.2 million

Your chance to live in the coolest building that you will find with a McDonald's on the ground floor

Since the 1960s, 405 E. 13th St. (aka 404 E. 14th St.) has hosted and housed a dynamic community of artists, poets and filmmakers, a long list that includes Claes and Patty Oldenburg, John Chamberlain and Yayoi Kusama. (Wes Anderson is a current tenant here in the nondescript building near First Avenue.) The works of the building's past and current residents were on display this summer at the Tibor de Nagy Gallery. (Read our piece on this here.)

And now there's a listing for a unit here (something that doesn't seem to happen all that often). Per Halstead:

This sprawling East Village loft offers it all. It features great light from 3 different exposures, High ceilings, a brand new chef's kitchen, beautiful refinished hard wood floors, and an excellent location. Enter your spacious new home via keyed elevator and be blown away by the airy open feel. Perfect for entertaining and quiet evenings at home this Live/Work loft provides both flexibility and comfort. It is complete with a washer/dryer, 1.5 baths, a very large master bedroom, walk-in closet and a dining room ... you will be hard pressed to find a more convenient or inspiring location.

The price: $6,200 a month... take a look...







Previously on EV Grieve:
404 E. 14th St.: The coolest building that you will find with a McDonald's on the ground floor

A Films in Tompkins shocker: No rain expected tonight; also, Romeo and Juliet

Waaaay back on June 6, "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet" was to be the first of the free music-movie nights in Tompkins Square Park. It turned out to be the first of six films that got KO'd by foul weather (or the threat of foul weather).

The Films in Tompkins people rescheduled this one for tonight... and, amazingly enough, the forecast doesn't call for any showers. Or rain.

As for the movie, this is the 1996 version directed by Baz Luhrmann ... with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

Speaking of Leonardo, the trailer for Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street" looks pretty good, don't you think?



As for tonight, there's also free pre-movie music from Sweet Street Symphony.

And upcoming in the Park:

Aug. 22 — O Brother Where Art Thou