Out and About in the East Village

In this ongoing feature, East Village-based photographer James Maher provides us with a quick snapshot of someone who lives and/or works in the East Village.



By James Maher

Name: Terry and Harmony
Occupation: Artist
Location: Second Street and First Avenue
Date: Thursday, March 30 at 3:30

I’m from Philadelphia. I came here in 1980. I had just finished graduate school in fine arts in Oklahoma, and after that I was very ready to experience the city. I’ve lived in my apartment for 32 years.

I was looking for a place for myself – when I moved in my rent was $276. My block was pretty much just all empty, burned-out buildings and junkies. It was very quiet. I had friends who refused to visit me and this and that, but I don’t think I ever felt really in danger. The junkies had their business, and I had mine, and they left me alone.

When I first moved in there, the super was this old Irish woman – she was really a remnant of the old Irish immigration that came through here, and then I had a Puerto Rican super. He was found tied up and murdered in his apartment one day.

There were a lot of fires on my block that were either set or just convenient. Operation Pressure Point took place for months — there were cops on every corner and they were just mass arresting everybody. They knew who you were, if you lived in the neighborhood, and they kept an eye. They were just arresting people – like the plumber came and he had to show his ID, so that pretty much emptied out a lot of the junkies.

I’m a fine artist, a painter. I’m working in oil pastels - small because I work in my apartment and so the size limitations are there. I had a few shows in places like Gargogyle Mechanique and Gallery Amazonica ... but I never really got into the whole art scene, which flourished in the 1980s.

At one point there were quite a few galleries around here. I remember going to openings and seeing people like Keith Haring. There were performances and this and that almost every night. It was a lot of fun. There were after-hour clubs in abandoned buildings. There were art centers. There were all kinds of places that no longer exist.

I think the last remnants of the neighborhood that really have that community feel are the community gardens. There is now much more of a young, drunken, kind of boozy brunch crowd. There’s only about three or four of us who have lived in my building for more than 30 years. Now the turnover is so fast with a lot of college kids and young working kids. Unfortunately, our new landlady is not giving out new leases, so it’s a little concerning because we pay our rent.

James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.

Ummburger vying for the Mancora space on 1st Avenue

A group of applicants is looking to bring Ummburger to 99 First Ave. at Sixth Street, the current home of the Peruvian restaurant Mancora.

According to the public documents (PDF here) on file ahead of this month's CB3-SLA agenda for a new liquor license, this is a sale of assets.

Ummburger is described as a "fast casual restaurant in the style of a gourmet burger bar." The application shows proposed daily hours of 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. The configuration shows 16 tables seating 66 guests with one, six-seat bar.

The 31-page questionnaire also includes a sample menu as well as professionally produced materials that include "Concept inspiration and mood board."

Well, if you're in the mood for burgers... here's a look at the sample menu on file...





... there are a variety of burgers, including a vegetarian option ... and a fried chicken sandwich called the Southern Ummfort...



The enclosed materials state that the restaurant plans to open on May 15.

Mancora opened here in March 2003. Here's how the Times described it in a 2004 feature:

Mancora caters to East Villagers, and a raucous subset of them at that. Its jaunty room, an explosion of seashell chandeliers, octopus murals and fish nets, is buoyant with sangria-sipping crowds and South American soundtracks, especially on weekends.

The April SLA committee meeting is April 13 at 6:30 p.m. Location: The Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. at the Bowery.

Up to 4 floors at the all-new 34 E. 13th St.

You can see the progress at the corner of 13th Street and University Place...



As previously reported, an Adjmi Architects-designed seven-story condoplex is going up. Plans call for one unit per floor on top of 3,200 square feet of ground-floor retail.


[EVG file photo]

The corner previously housed University Place Gourmet as well as several adjacent storefronts, including Bennie Louie Chinese Laundry.

Developer Ranger Properties paid $22 million for the lot, and sent everyone on their way.

Meanwhile, there isn't any sign just yet next door of the 23 floors of condos — 21E12 — set for the former home of Bowlmor Lanes and several other businesses.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 23-floor residential building

Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes


[13th and University in June 2015]

LinkNYC arrives on 7th Street

Kidding!

Rusty fridge pic today by Derek Berg

Catch of the day

Spotted on First Avenue at Ninth Street this morning by EVG reader Steph...

On 2nd Avenue, the Local 92 and Mermaid Inn are closed for renovations

On Second Avenue between Fifth Street and Sixth Street, two neighboring restaurants are currently closed for renovations.

First, there's the Mermaid Inn...



The sign points to a spring cleaning in anticipation of their 14th birthday. They are expected back open next Monday. (They closed for renovations in October 2011 as well.)

And next door, Local 92 has closed for a few days ...



...with a return date on Thursday.



Thank you to Vinny & O for the photos!

A report of 7 burglaries in the past month in these 6 East Village buildings

An EVG reader shared this flyer that's posted in a building that was recently burglarized.

According to the flyer, "seven burglaries have taken place" in the past month in the following buildings:
• 247 E. Second St.
• 185 E. Third St.
• 215 E. Fourth St.
• 322 E. Fourth St.
• 328 E. Fourth St.
• 539 E. Sixth St.

"The perpetrator has entered units while tenants have been home, simulated carrying a gun and entered morning, noon & night."

There will be a multi-block association meeting with the 9th Precinct on April 12 at 6:30 p.m. Location TBD. We will post more information about the meeting when it becomes available.

Lanza's has returned — on 23rd Street

[Photo on 1st Avenue from last summer]

Last July 14, the state's fluorescent SEIZED sticker (for "nonpayment of taxes") arrived at Lanza's between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The old-world Italian restaurant, reportedly first opened in 1904, sat untouched until workers cleaned out the space in January.

Anyway, over the weekend, EVG regular OlympiasEpiriot noticed this storefront on 23rd Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...





Apparently, in the past few months (no reviews yet at Yelp), the people who had been running Lanza's started offering some of those menu items to go or for delivery in space that also houses Marina Gourmet Deli.


[Image via Yelp]

As for the former Lanza's space on First Avenue, Joe & Pat's, the pizzeria that has been serving up slices on Victory Boulevard in Staten Island since 1960, is taking over.

Village Pourhouse makes closing official

As we reported last week, Village Pourhouse, the pub-crawling hosting hotspot on 11th Street and Third Avenue, was to close after service last night. Management informed the staff last Wednesday night.

And yesterday afternoon, the Pourhouse started spreading word of their closure...

Come say goodbye to the iconic Village Pourhouse TONIGHT! After an incredible 10 years, Village Pourhouse will be closing its doors to make way for our newest concept. Come drink us dry with drink specials all night and reminisce about all the good times you had but probably don't remember. $3 Draft Beers + $3 Bottled Beers + $5 Shots + $5 Mixed Drinks

A post shared by Village Pourhouse (@villagepourhouse) on Apr 3, 2017 at 9:18am PDT

The sports bar opened in the summer of 2006. No word on the fate of their phone number — (212) 979-BEER.



A rock club called E.Vil is expected to open in the space this spring.

Report: Webster Hall has a new owner

Here's news about the venue on 11th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue via Billboard:

After 27 years of operating Webster Hall, the Ballinger family is selling the 131-year-old Manhattan concert hall to AEG Presents and Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment. The two firms will assume operating rights, assets and the long-term lease from building owner Unity Gallega while Bowery Presents will take over booking and talent buying.

According to the Post, the new owners have promised that any updates to the facility "won’t spoil its musty, lived-in charm."

Brett Yormark, chief executive of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, told The Post: “We’re going to preserve what Webster Hall means to the consumers and artists, but we will contemporize it.” Expect food and beverage upgrades, with possible bathroom enhancements.

Bathroom enhancements!

The Webster Hall deal was valued at some $35 million.

Webster Hall, built in 1886, was landmarked in 2008. Here's more history via Off the Grid a few years back:

Webster Hall has hosted a wide range of parties and meeting over its 129-year-old history. In its early years it “acquired a reputation as a center of leftist, socialist, anarchist, and union political activity”, according to a January 1888 Brooklyn Daily Eagle article.

In 2006, Webster Hall played host to K-Fed first (and last?) NYC show.

Slim dining options at the Hyatt Union Square for the time being

The Fourth and Singl Lounge, the two dining options at the Hyatt Union Square on Fourth Avenue and 13th Street, are currently closed ...brown paper has been up in the windows for the past 10-plus days...



There isn't any note about a temporary closure on the public-facing doors or windows... and the Hyatt Union Square website still lists both properties as the hotel's two dining options...



A hotel rep said that the two spaces were closed for renovations... and both would reopen later this month. (Guests apparently have a dining option in the lower level of the hotel.)

This was an expected move. Marco Moreira and Jo-Ann Makovitzky, the restaurateurs behind these two as well as a third Hyatt space, Botequim, parted ways with the hotel last May, as Eater reported. New operators were expected to take over The Fourth and Singl last summer. Apparently that's just happening now.

Back in 2014, there was some concern about the size of the sidewalk cafe at the Fourth, which was named for the right bank neighborhood in Paris. The matter eventually went to City Council, who OK'd a smaller, 12-seat cafe.

The hotel opened in April 2013.

Spring fling

Some of the first travelers of the season were spotted in Tompkins Square Park today. One relieved himself on the holiday tree.

Photo by Steven

See '1984' tomorrow night at the Anthology Film Archives

See Michael Radford's 1984 tomorrow! Join Anthology, and nearly 200 theaters worldwide, in this special screening event. We're presenting the film on 35mm and donating a portion of the proceeds to the @aclu_nationwide! Tickets are just $11 / $7 for Anthology members.

A post shared by Anthology Film Archives (@anthologyfilmarchives) on Apr 3, 2017 at 2:14pm PDT

The screening is at 7:30 p.m. The Anthology is on Second Avenue at Second Street. Find more info here.

Christo and Dora have more company in the city

[Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

The Wall Street Journal checks in today with a feature on the city's booming red-tailed hawk population... Christo and Dora, the red-tailed hawk couple of Tompkins Square Park, get a shout out, though not by name.

The article is available via subscription only... here are a few excerpts...

The hawk population in Manhattan has grown from only three known pairs in 2006 to 14 or 15 today, said Rob Mastrianni, a New York City Urban Park Ranger.

It is unclear why raptors are becoming more common in Manhattan, said Debra Kriensky, a conservation biologist at New York City Audubon. Possible explanations include the abundance of food—rats, squirrels and pigeons—and city efforts to limit the use of rat poison, which can kill hawks.

Whatever the reason, the presence of more hawks heralds changes in the relationship between New Yorkers and nature. Combined with sightings of coyotes, deer, and even eagles prowling city neighborhoods, hawk spottings are a reminder that urban areas can include a surprising amount of wildlife.

And!

Research shows hawks need about two square miles of exclusive territory, but New York City’s hawks are living as close as five blocks from each other, said Bobby Horvath, a city firefighter who rehabilitates injured hawks from New York City in his home in South Massapequa on Long Island. “I guess the red-tailed hawks haven’t read that part of the textbook.”

With hawks already defying density predictions, it is unclear how long the urban population boom will continue.

The main danger hawks face in New York is eating rats that have been poisoned by rodenticide. But since the city has curtailed rat poison use in parks near known hawk nests, New Yorkers may continue to be startled by urban wildlife sightings.

As always, for more on Christo and Dora as well as other NYC wildlife, head on over to Goggla's photo site here.