A quick look inside the former Grassroots Tavern

[20 St. Mark's Place as seen last week]

The door was open yesterday at the former Grassroots Tavern, 20 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

EVG Open Door Correspondent Steven looked inside the under-renovation space...



For starters, a good chunk of the long bar is currently MIA ...



Otherwise, the place doesn't look too different, with that fall-through-the-floor-at-any-moment vibe intact! (We kid because we loved the Grassroots.)

No one was around to ask about the status of the work inside this landmarked building.

A quickie recap on what's going on here: Approved permits are on file for repair work in the lower retail space, the longtime home of the Grassroots until New Year's Eve 2017.

As we've been reporting, Bob Precious is planning on opening a bar in this semi-subterranean space with a working title of Subterranean. (Precious operates the mini chain of Irish-style pubs called the Ginger Man, including the one on 36th Street. CB3 OK'd his new liquor license in December 2017.)

Precious said last August that the former Grassroots space was in bad shape — including structural damage. The approvals for the renovations in the landmarked building had been slow going. (In November, Previous was hoping for a spring opening.)

20 St. Mark's Place, known as the Daniel LeRoy House, was built in 1832. It received landmark status in 1971, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Previously on EV Grieve:
New owner lined up for the Grassroots Tavern on St. Mark's Place

20 St. Mark's Place, home of the Grassroots Tavern, has been sold

Last call at the Grassroots Tavern

The #Rethinklink campaign

If you've walked past a LinkNYC kiosk the past two weeks, then you've likely seen one of the variety of flyers attached to them... (thanks to everyone who has passed along photos, like Eden, Steven, Marjorie and Helaine!)



These started showing up everywhere — a la Looking for a Girlfriend guy flyers — after the arrest of a man for smashing LinkNYC kiosks a few weeks ago... and the revelation that the kiosks are equipped with (security) cameras...

🚨Apprehended🚨for CRIMINAL MISCHIEF that occurred within the confines of Midtown South and Midtown North Precincts. #midtown #manhattan @NYPDMTS @NYPDMTN Has been Apprehended thanks to the hard work of our #nypd #nypddetective #media and concerned #newyorker like you! pic.twitter.com/hKVXFW25RF

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) April 24, 2019

There's a @RethinkLinkNYC Twitter account too.

And you can find the flyers in other parts of the city as well...

Spotted outside of a LinkNYC in Water St. in Manhattan. Public infrastructure should not be surveillance based. 💯 #RethinkLink + @ZephyrTeachout. pic.twitter.com/x5WUfSRzdA

— Jeremy Rosenberg 🏳️‍🌈🦄 (@JeremyR1992) May 6, 2019

#rethinklink street campaign. I wrote about LinkNYC in #PixelsAndPlace. The kiosks are an almost-good idea, offering open WiFi and digital services, but the surveillance implications of the built-in cameras – and the lack of clarity about what happens to the data – are troubling. pic.twitter.com/YCT4tTeADh

— Kate O'Neill (@kateo) May 3, 2019

Monday's parting shot

A shot of the new Punjabi Grocery & Deli awning over at 118 E. First St. ... thanks to Vinny & O for the photo!

Report: 10 teens hospitalized after someone tossed chemical from above during party at First Houses

Police are investigating a high school party that turned ugly when someone at the First Houses reportedly tossed a chemical substance from above onto the crowd, sending at least 10 teens to the hospital for minor burns.

According to The New York Times (the story was also picked up by the Associated Press), as many as 300 teens were at the party in a rented basement room at First Houses, the public housing complex on Third Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Partygoers paid $10 to enter a basement room usually reserved for tenant meetings.

To the Times:

The music was blasting as the crowd, which included teenagers from an elite public high school in Brooklyn, spilled into the courtyard. Barely an hour had passed before residents of the development ... called the police at about 10 p.m.

But someone upstairs had decided to do something about it. White paint and a caustic chemical were poured from overhead, burning at least 10 of the teenagers in the courtyard, the police said on Sunday.

And...

Valerie Vail, the mother of one victim, said many partygoers were students at Brooklyn Technical High School, including her daughter, a sophomore who she said was attending her first party as a student there. The attack left the girl with burns the size of dimes and quarters on her back, chest and arms, Ms. Vail said.

She said her daughter had shown her photos of other partygoers who had large burns across their chests, necks and legs.

After the paint and chemicals rained down, some partygoers rushed the East Third Street building’s front door and attempted to force their way in, slamming their fists against the door’s glass panes, cracking one, said Michael Strachan, 60, who lives in the building.

There is an unconfirmed report that a man who lived in the building "appeared to have thrown an orange-colored drain cleaner on the crowd below." Some of the injured teens ran to a nearby deli and poured milk onto the burns.

Tenants told the Times that they do not believe the party host lived in the building.

Report: Preservationists want probe of the tech hub deal on 14th Street

[Photo from Saturday]

The Village Preservation (GVSHP) is calling for a probe of the "sweetheart deal" that the developer of the tech hub received on 14th Street.

As the Daily News first reported yesterday, the GVSHP explored the paperwork behind the project, pointing out that the developer, RAL Development Services, will pay $1.6 million a year for the first five years ... then $2.3 million annually in the five years after that while the previous tenant, P.C. Richard & Son, paid $1.7 million in annual rent for the two-story building.

GVSHP Executive Director Andrew Berman told this to the News:

"It seems highly suspect that the developer of a 21-story office tower is paying barely more than the operator of a 2-story appliance and electronics store for use of this incredibly valuable land. This is and has been from the beginning a sweetheart deal for political allies of and donors to the mayor. There was absolutely no transparency to the process by which RAL were chosen to get this incredibly valuable piece of public land for a song."

And...

Berman pointed to a lack of any documented evaluations of bids on the development deal, which is supported by the results of Freedom of Information requests made by his group to the city’s Economic Development Corporation. In response to a request for notes, ratings or a scoring sheet regarding the selection of RAL over several other applicants, EDC responded that it located "no responsive records."

The GVSHP also found through campaign finance records that Andrew Rasiej, CEO of Civic Hall — RAL’s partner in the development — donated at least $8,000 to Mayor de Blasio since 2004. Meanwhile, RAL was also supportive of de Blasio's now-defunct nonprofit Campaign for One New York, giving at least $10,000 in 2015, as the News reported.

And the city's response? "The best applicant was chosen," Jane Meyer, a spokesperson for the Mayor, told the News, adding that the donations had nothing to do with RAL's selection.

As for more background, it took nearly nine months for the proposed tech hub — now called the Union Square Tech Training Center — to wind through the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, culminating with the City Council's OK last August. (A rezoning was required to build the the 22-story structure, which is larger than what current commercial zoning allows.)

The Department of Buildings approved the permits for the new structure on Feb. 26, just three months after they were first filed.

Construction work was expected to start in this first quarter of 2019, per the 14th @ Irving website. But first, the former P.C. Richard & Son outpost was to be demolished. (The 14th @ Irving website now states that "site mobilization and protection" will start today.)

The project is being developed jointly by the city’s Economic Development Corp. and RAL. The Union Square Tech Training Center includes Civic Hall, which will offer digital skills for low-income residents, as well as market-rate retail, office space and a food hall.

Mayor de Blasio first unveiled the renderings publicly in February 2017.

I asked Berman what he hopes the next steps are after the disclosure in the News yesterday.

"My hope is that there would be some sort of review of the process by which this bidder was chosen, whether or not it was based on the merits and in the best interests of the people of the City of New York," he said in an email.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC

Speaking out against a 'Silicon Alley' in this neighborhood

P.C. Richard puts up the moving signs on 14th Street; more Tech Hub debate to come

Preservationists: City schedules next public hearing on tech hub without any public notice

City Council's lone public hearing on the 14th Street tech hub is tomorrow

City Council unanimously approves tech hub; some disappointment in lack of zoning protections

The conversation continues on the now-approved tech hub for 14th Street

1st signs for the future tech hub arrive on 14th Street; more details emerge about 14th @ Irving

New building permits pre-filed for the (slightly larger) tech hub on Union Square

City OKs new building permits for mayor's tech hub on 14th Street

The Blind Pig is closing on 14th Street following 50% rent hike

[Image via TripAdvisor]

The Blind Pig, the sports bar (home to Arsenal supporters in the English Premier League), will close on May 18 after 13 years in service.

Ownership made the announcement on Facebook this past weekend.

In the comments, the owners said that "the lease is finished and the landlord bumped the rent 50 percent" in the storefront here at 233 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. (Public records list the landlord as the Berliza Corp.)

And here's the full post from the Blind Pig:

To our friends and loyal guests,
It is with a heavy heart that Blind Pig must close our doors for the final time.

For the past 13 years we have been a part of this community and you have supported us through good times and bad.

For that you have our everlasting thanks. We hope we have reciprocated by providing you with a comfortable place to meet friends, unwind and grab a great burger and a cold beer.

We will miss this moving forward but its not over yet. Come say goodbye as we wind down 'the Pig' and make sure no beer gets left behind. Our last day will be May 18th, 2019.

Finally we would like to give a special thanks to our staff who over the years have been the real heart of Blind Pig. We wish you all the best and hope to see you for a final beer.

Cheers,
The Blind Pig Team

Updated noon: There's a Loopnet listing for the space. The asking rent is $300,000 annually. (H/T Steven!)

Thanks to Vinny & O for the tip!

Tea time for 2nd Avenue and 5th Street

Signage is up for the new tenant at 300 E. Fifth. at Second Avenue — Spiritea (thanks to Carol from East 5th Street and Derek Berg for the tip!) ...



This is the second outpost for the fruit-and-milk tea shop, whose first location is in Richmond outside Vancouver (one is also opening in Irvine, Calif.).



A local food site had this to say about the location that opened in late 2018 in Richmond, B.C.:

What sets Spiritea apart from other tea shops is that they brew all of their teas on the spot in a special Teapresso machine. They use premium tea leaves, fresh fruit, Avalon Dairy organic milk and pure cane sugar made in France. Their focus is to provide the freshest and highest quality ingredients without the use of artificial fruit syrups or powders.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SPIRITEA DRINKS (@spiriteadrinks) on Jan 7, 2019 at 3:42pm PST

Signage here points to an opening this month.

Workers have been renovating this corner space, which was Mary Ann's for years before the Mexican restaurant morphed into Dahlia's.

The storefront has sat empty since 100% Healthy Blend (or maybe just Healthy Blend) closed after three months in November 2016.

New 3rd Street condoplex off the Bowery is called 3E3; first unit hits the market

The first unit at the condoplex at 3 E. Third St. has arrived on the market.

Given the address here, the building just east of the Bowery is dubbed 3E3.

There's also a teaser site up now with more info on the development...





Per the 3E3 website...

Welcome to 3E3, a bold take on modern luxury in the city's most avant-garde neighborhood. Inspired by the rich evolution of the Bowery, 3E3 embraces contrast to deliver a vibrant yet sophisticated living experience in the heart of Downtown. Leave boring at the door. You've now arrived at 3E3.

And about the residences?

This boutique building consists of five industrial-inspired luxury residences featuring a restrained color and materials palette where subtlety and detail matter. Inspired by the Bowery's past, with attention on New York City's future, 3E3 is a stunning amalgamation of old and new, raw and refined, bold and nuanced. Industrial materials and sleek design choices create a contemporary aesthetic that's true to modern life. 3E3's stakes out a prominent position overlooking Bowery, with a fully glazed façade that bathes residences with southern light.

And about the past and present of this neighborhood?

The Bowery has seen it all, from the rich history of the Five Points to rock and art royalty. Ever evolving it remains the heartbeat of NYC cool. 3E3 sits at this phenomenal nexus of bustling Downtown chic, where the East Village, Bowery, NoHo, SoHo, Nolita and Lower East Side collide. From your early-morning fitness routine to a late-night underground concert, the city's premier cutting-edge boutiques, cultural destinations, dining and nightlife venues await, just steps from your front door.

The one unit on the market is asking $3.75 million. Compass has the listing.

Alex Barrett’s Barrett Design and Development paid $11.5 million in 2016 for the property, a building that served as short-term rentals for students and interns.


[3 E. 3rd St. in April 2015]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development site available on East 3rd Street at the Bowery

Demolition watch: 3 E. 3rd St.

Will the 6-shots-of-anything-for-$12 sign at the former Continental go down with the building?

We've already noted the arrival of the sidewalk bridge around the northeast corner of Third Avenue and St. Mark's Place ... as workers enter the next phase of demolition ...



The Continental was the last business here to close, wrapping it up on New Year's Eve.

The bar's six-shots-of-anything-for-$12 sign remains intact on the marquee under the sidewalk bridge...



We mentioned this on Twitter over the weekend. There was some interest in the sign...

Serious question: can someone grab this for me https://t.co/nBdYSVTYkE

— Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) May 4, 2019

And other things on the corner...

I’m eyein’ the Korilla flag.

— Jacob Ford (@unitof) May 4, 2019

After retiring the live music in the fall of 2006, the Continental became home of the five-shots-of-anything-for-$10 promotion before that changed to five-shots-of-anything-for-$12 in the spring of 2017. (Then later six shots...)


[Via Google Street View]

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Continental's 5-shot deal bumped from $10 to $12

Demolition permits filed for northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

End is nearing for the businesses on the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

New building plans revealed for 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

Concern over potential air-rights transfer for new office building on St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue

Developers of 3 St. Mark's Place are looking to increase the size of their proposed office building at 3rd Avenue to 10 floors with air-rights deal

The lobbyists behind the air-rights transfer and zoning variance for 3 St. Mark's Place

When workers unpack dry goods at the incoming H Mart

In this week's episode of H Mart is coming soon, workers are now stocking the Asian-American grocery chain with non-perishable items here on Third Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street...





Previously and previously and previously.

Coming soon: We discuss the point-of-sale software for the H-Mart POS system!

The rent due at the now-closed Beijing Express

Beijing Express came and went pretty quickly at 92 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street.

Some rent-due legalese has been up on the now-closed restaurant's front door... noting a balance due of nearly $60,000, including the base rent of $17,500 for each month dating to January and other assorted charges, such as water and sewer service...



The quick-serve restaurant lasted four months... taking over for Gala BBQ, which opened and closed within three months. Previously, Blue 9 Burger had a 14-year run here.

At the NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally 2019 in Union Square

The NYC Cannabis Parade and Rally — said to be New York's longest-running annual marijuana legalization event — returned to Union Square yesterday.

A few thousand people were estimated to attend the rally, part of the Global Marijuana March to promote, educate and advocate cannabis culture.

Speakers this year included New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Assemblyman Richard Gottfried and New York State Director of Drug Policy Alliance Kassandra Frederique.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos from Union Square...




















[Marijuana activist Dana Beal on the left]

Week in Grieview

[4th Street Food Co-op pic by riachung00]

Posts on EVG this past week included...

2nd Avenue gas-explosion defendants due back in court June 21 (Monday)

Mount Sinai Beth Israel files plan for 7-story hospital on 13th Street (Tuesday)

Anna returning to the East Village (Thursday)

Elvis has left Great Jones; 'seafood focused neighborhood restaurant' coming soon (Monday)

Developers eye air rights at Campos Plaza for long-stalled 14th Street development (Friday)

RIP Felicia Mahmood (Friday)

Confirmed: At least 2 chicks for red-tailed hawks Amelia and Christo in Tompkins Square Park (Wednesday)

The 12th Street bike lane will return (Friday)

Those sidewalk bridges around Village View will be there for at least 2 years (Tuesday)

After another seizure, Desi Galli returns to service tonight on Avenue B (Friday)

This week's NY See (Monday)

1 weekend down: L-train slowdown recap (Monday)

It's May — time for Lower East Side History Month (Wednesday)

Demolition nearing for the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

Egads! 7th Street Village Farm morphs into an E Smoke shop (Friday)

A visit to the Bhakti Center on 1st Avenue (Thursday)

A look at the all-new 101 E. 10th St. (Thursday)

A Town Hall to discuss the future of the neighborhood's former religious properties (Thursday)

Schmackary's bringing cookies to Cooper Square (Wednesday)

Avenue A Copy Center & Shipping Outlet has closed (Monday)

Avenida Cantina is now Eastpoint on Avenue B (Thursday)

Basics Plus apparently not closing on 3rd Avenue after all (Monday)

The Marshal takes over Bar Taco on Avenue C (Tuesday)

Workers still on the clock at 250 E. Houston St. (Monday)

New restaurant alert for the former Kambi Ramen House on 14th Street (Monday)

...and like First Avenue in previous weeks, it's now Second Avenue's turn for milling (from Third Street to 13th Street) ...



... and in the asphalt milling machine lane...





Per the weekly city schedule, work will start on the Avenue again on Tuesday.

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Painting a smile

EVG regular Lola Saénz passed along these photos from Avenue A at 14th Street... of the WIP mural by BlusterOne© ...



Look for more of BlusterOne©'s work starting on Thursday with a show at 212Arts on 12th Street.