The cherry blossoms are in bloom along the Seventh Street side of Tompkins Square Park... thanks to Goggla for the photo!
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Spring break
The cherry blossoms are in bloom along the Seventh Street side of Tompkins Square Park... thanks to Goggla for the photo!
Carlina Rivera states her opposition over plan to transfer air rights for new St. Mark's Place office building
[A rendering of 3 St. Mark's Place]
Local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera yesterday joined the chorus of opposition to the air-rights transfer for the new office building planned for the northeast corner of St. Mark's Place and Third Avenue.
To date, Rivera, who holds the key vote when the proposal comes before City Council, had previously expressed concerns about the project, but hadn't gone as far as officially opposing it.
During yesterday's City Planning Commission hearing, Rivera submitted joint testimony with Assemblymember Deborah Glick and State Sen. Brad Hoylman, which read in part:
"This development would clearly be out of context with the landmarked 4 St. Mark’s Place, as well as the surrounding street scape and character. It's clear that the developers, in the wake of numerous concerns raised by neighborhood groups, Community Board 3, several members of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and elected officials, have not proposed or addressed any serious 'appropriate conditions and safeguards' that the 74-79 permit states should be considered in order to 'minimize adverse effects on the character of the surrounding area."
St. Mark's Place is the gateway to the East Village - a globally recognized center of music, art and culture. This project fell short of the community's expectations and the neighborhood it leads to.
— Carlina Rivera 利華娜 (@CarlinaRivera) March 4, 2020
That’s why I urged the City Planning Commission to reject it. https://t.co/iZjps2UZ5Z
The City Planning Commission will cast their vote at a later date as part of the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. They are expected to approve the plan to transfer air rights from 4 St. Mark's Place to the new development across the street at 3 St. Mark's Place. In issues such as this, City Council usually follows the lead of the local Councilmember.
Andrew Berman, executive director of the Village Preservation, has long been opposed to this plan. He said that he was pleased by Rivera's decision.
"We are hopeful that her statement ... will be followed by a no vote in the Council and a call to her colleagues to do the same," Berman said in an email. "We have said from the beginning that this proposal to increase the size of the planned tech office tower at the 'gateway to the East Village' is wrong, and would only serve to accelerate the spread of Midtown South and Silicon Alley to this neighborhood."
The Village Preservation and more than a dozen residents also spoke out against the plan yesterday.
[Photo yesterday via Village Preservation]
With the air-rights transfer, developer Real Estate Equities Corporation (REEC) would be allowed to build 8,386 square feet larger than the current zoning allows.
Regardless of an extra 8,000 square feet, the project will continue. Per Gothamist:
At Wednesday's public hearing, the project's architect Morris Adjmi emphasized a building of a similar height size could be built as-of-right, saying, "one could build this building without a special permit, without transferring any air rights, and it is 22 feet taller at the street wall and also more or less the same height overall."
A rep for the developers, Adam Taubman of the law firm Kramer Levin, also said at the hearing the currently vacant lot would see construction whether or not the permit is approved.
REEC picked up the 99-year leasehold for the properties here for nearly $150 million in November 2017. The corner assemblage is owned by the Gabay family.
Previously on EV Grieve:
• 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
Time for the Life Time signage on Cooper Square
You may have noticed activity in the now-former New York Health & Racquet Club on Cooper Square... that gym closed on Dec. 1 ahead of renovations for a rebranding to Life Time. That signage is now up in the storefront windows in the circa-1926 Carl Fisher building.
Here's more via a message from NYHRC: "Life Time is investing in excess of $25 million dollars, renovating this location ... to the highest standards, and will begin operating this location upon the completion of the renovations."
Here's some vague description of this new Life Time (good names also for magazines!):
"Soon to arrive in Cooper Square in the vibrant NoHo neighborhood, this renovated club will feature boutique fitness programs, industry-leading amenities and equipment, and an updated fitness floor and dedicated studios."
The
Breaking the internet 1995 style at the Anthology Film Archives
A weeklong series titled "1995: The Year the Internet Broke" starts tonight at the Anthology Film Archives.
Per the description:
The groundwork for interconnected global computer networks was laid in the 1960s, but it didn’t capture the public imagination until the mid-1990s, at which time a confluence of factors including the release of Netscape Navigator, the Windows 95 operating system, high-profile hacking arrests, and aggressive direct marketing campaigns by commercial service providers AOL, CompuServe, and Prodigy fast-tracked the information superhighway for mainstream traffic. Once the domain of scientists, hobbyists, hackers, and role-playing gamers, the internet had irreversibly broken into the public imagination.
And!
1995 opened the floodgates to a torrent of internet-themed films. Suddenly, the paying public was confronted with the radical new idea of Sandra Bullock ordering delivery by logging on to Pizza.net. Much as Hollywood valorized the Wild West, it was now pursuing a new kind of Manifest Destiny across the information superhighway at breakneck speed. Instead of their parents’ “Hi-yo, Silver!”, the young generation of keyboard cowboys had a new rallying cry: “HACK THE PLANET.”
Featured titles include "Hackers," "The Net" and the so-bad-it's-bad-AND-good "Johnny Mnemonic."
And why not...
Find all the screening times and titles at this link.
The Anthology Film Archives is on Second Avenue at Second Street.
Any questions? You can email me at 76839937373662222.998844774999@compuserve.com.
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Time for the monthly East Village Photo Club meeting
The next monthly meeting of the newly formed East Village Photo Club is Saturday (March 7) morning at 11 at the Tompkins Square Library, 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.
As previously noted, East Village resident Susan Schiffman launched the photo club for interested residents last month.
Schiffman, who has been photographing the apartments of rent-stabilized tenants living in the neighborhood for her Instagram account, I Am a Rent Stabilized Tenant, shared this overview:
I want to invite people who love to take photos to come together to meet, to share and to talk about photos they have taken or seen or projects they are thinking about starting. Maybe we can put a show together.
We have a space to meet once a month at the Tompkins Square Library. It would be great if you could stop by and join the conversation about photography.
Please let me know if you are interested or have any questions. You may email me here.
We will meet the first Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon. If you would like to share your photos, then please bring prints or photos on a usb drive.
You may revisit Susan's posts for EVG here ... or her feature in The New Yorker last summer.
A moment with Wayne Diamond as he checks out 'The Wayne Diamond' at Russo's
Text and photos by Stacie Joy
I’m interviewing and photographing Russo’s Mozzarella and Pasta owner Jack Cangemi at the classic shop when, fortuitously and with great fanfare, the fast-talking, perpetually tan actor Wayne Diamond drops by from the Upper East Side to supervise the creation of a sandwich made in his honor. (If you've seen the critically acclaimed "Uncut Gems," then you'll recognize Diamond for his pivotal role in the casino scene with Julia Fox.)
[Cangemi and Diamond]
As for the sandwich, The Wayne Diamond is mozzarella, roasted peppers, pesto and mortadella on a ciabatta roll. Diamond, who was said to make a fortune working for decades in the Garment District, is accompanied by his friend (and PR agent) Elissa Buchter. He takes a moment to give a Wayne Diamond-esque endorsement of Russo's...
The sandwich, priced at $8.95, is available should you too want to experience The Wayne Diamond at Russo's, 344 E. 11th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
Meanwhile, look for our A Visit to Russo's post soon!
SMØR now open for dinner on 12th Street
[Photos by Steven]
After serving "reinvented Nordic classics" for breakfast and lunch these past 12-plus months, SMØR is launching a dinner service this evening.
Owners Sebastian Perez and Sebastian Bangsgaard also have a new beer-wine license to accompany their menu here at this warm, low-key spot on 12th Street.
[From the left: Perez and Bangsgaard]
The two have been previewing new dinner items via Instagram this past week. For example...
For now, their hours are:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10 a.m. to midnight
You can find SMØR at 441 E. 12th St. just west of Avenue A.
City Planning Commission holding public hearing today on air-rights transfer for 3 St. Mark's Place
[EVG file photo]
--
Updated 5 p.m.
Local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera came out against the transfer today.
--
The City Planning Commission is holding a public hearing today on the application to transfer air rights to allow the pending office building at the northeast corner of Third Avenue and St. Mark's Place to grow 20 percent larger than the current zoning allows.
As you likely know, a 10-floor office building is in the works for 3 St. Mark's Place. The total size of this new building has yet to be officially determined. Real Estate Equities Corporation (REEC) wants to transfer the air rights from the landmarked Hamilton-Holly House at 4 St. Mark's Place to add more square footage.
This marks the second stage for the application. In round one, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to support the plan this past June, and issued a report to the City Planning Commission to allow the proposal under a specific zoning resolution. The opposition to the application included Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, State Sen. Brad Hoylman and Assemblymember Deborah Glick, as well as Community Board 3 and other community groups, including Village Preservation. (Read about their efforts here.)
Stage two's route as part of the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure will ultimately end up before City Council, who will have the final vote at a future date.
REEC picked up the 99-year leasehold for the properties here for nearly $150 million in November 2017. Their development plans call for a 68,224-square-foot building with eight floors of office space, a fitness center, roof deck and retail.
[A rendering of 3 St. Mark's Place]
REEC is reportedly eyeing rents in the area of a Midtown-esque $150 per square foot.
Today's hearing is in the basement concourse of 120 Broadway between Cedar and Pine. The festivities start at 10, though this is the last item on the agenda. No word yet on an exact time.
Previously on EV Grieve:
• 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
Real Estate's 'Outstore Thing' tour takes them to the former Kim's and Other Music this afternoon
The Brooklyn-based band Real Estate has a new record out... and this afternoon (don't have an exact time), they're touring their favorite NYC record stores — even though three of them are now closed.
So at some point this afternoon, you may come across them playing outside Rocks in Your Head (Prince Street, RIP 2006), Other Music (East Fourth Street, RIP 2016) and Kim's (First Avenue, RIP 2014) on the band's "The Outstore Thing" tour.
They'll move on to Rough Trade in Williamsburg for an actual in-store this evening at 7.
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Tuesday's parting shot
Goggla shared this photo today from the Death Star CVS, where a lone bottle of rubbing alcohol was left on the shelf. And as reported at other drug stores around the city-state-country, no sign of hand sanitizer after several days of coronavirus-induced panic purchasing.
Catch a screening of 'Squatter's Opera' this Sunday
The Sunday afternoon at 3, Theater 80 is showing the first public screening of Michael Shenker's "Squatter's Opera."
Here are details via the EVG inbox...
In 2019, a group of about 25 Lower East Side veteran squatters, artists, musicians and activists came together to resurrect the song "Live Free Or Die" from the late Michael Shenker's collection of songs that came to be known as "The Squatter's Opera." The performance was at Theater For The New City on May 26, 2019.
Simeon Rose created this short film of the event. This piece begins by explaining the hows and whys of Squatting via an informative introduction by graphic artist Seth Tobocman, followed by the musical characterization of scenes pulled from real life squatting and the quest for affordable housing.
Sunday's screening includes a Q&A with the cast and crew. There's a suggested donation between $5 and $20. All proceeds go directly toward the production. Find more info at Facebook. Theater 80 is at 80 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
Ralph's Famous Italian Ices & Ice Cream coming to Avenue A
Ralph's Famous Italian Ices & Ice Cream is opening an outpost at 145 Avenue A and Ninth Street.
There has been activity inside the space, with equipment looking like more ice cream might be on the way.
While there hasn't been an official announcement of this arrival, the expanding company has several new outposts planned this year... and 145 Avenue A is now on the Ralph's website...
This business dates to 1928 when Ralph Silvestro started selling Italian ice (or water ice) from his truck around Staten Island. The first retail store opened in 1949 on Port Richmond Avenue in Staten Island. In recent years the company has franchised out, expanding to other parts of NYC as well as Long Island, New Jersey and Westchester County.
Ralph's takes over for Gelarto, which closed early last summer after a rocky two years selling gelato on the corner.
Thanks to @DanMarcustweets!
Prince Tea House announces its arrival on 10th Street
The plywood is up at 204 E. 10th St. just east of Second Avenue where Prince Tea House will be setting up shop later this year...
As the plywood signage notes, Prince Tea House will also serve coffee, desserts, wine and brunch.
The new shop will be located in the currently empty space that last housed the Le Pressing dry cleaners (and whatever was next door).
This also means more competition in a tea-heavy area with several established shops nearby, including Cha-An on Ninth Street and Uluh Tea House, which opened right around the corner on Second Avenue in November 2018.
Thanks to Steven for the photos!
Previously on EV Grieve:
Prince Tea House expanding to the East Village with an outpost on 10th Street
Former PS 64 not subject to the city’s new crackdown on deteriorating buildings
[10th Street side]
The Department of Buildings recently put into place an amended rule governing exterior wall inspections and repairs for owners of buildings higher than six floors who fail to upkeep their properties.
This change came about after architect Erica Tishman was killed by falling debris from a Midtown office building in December.
However, as the Daily News reported, this new rule doesn't apply to the long-vacant P.S. 64 on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C.
Per the News:
Because the school is lower than six stories and now has the proper protections up, including several sidewalk sheds, it won’t be newly scrutinized, building officials said.
"Stabilization work in the building has been performed, and the Department of Buildings continues to closely monitor the situation to protect pedestrians," said Jane Meyer, a spokeswoman for Mayor de Blasio.
But the vacate order from last February is still active, DOB records show — which leave people who live nearby skeptical of the city’s claims.
"There's a lack of oversight that is going on," said Carolyn Ratcliffe, 77, who is president of the 9 BC Tompkins Square Block Association. "We really feel like we're being blown off."
Read the full article here.
[9th Street side]
Developer Gregg Singer bought the property — the former P.S 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center — from the city during an auction in 1998. The landmarked building has been empty for years. You can read the archives for more on the long history here.
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