SUVs now catching on fire outside the Con Ed plant

A scene on East 14th Street at Avenue C around 4 p.m. … outside the Con Ed plant, which likely had nothing to do with this SUV fire.

Thanks to @soaperynyc for the photo!

NYU expansion opponents will get another day in court

"Opponents of New York University's massive expansion in Greenwich Village will get a final chance to try to block the school's plan, after the state's highest court agreed on Tuesday to hear their case." (Read the story at DNAinfo here)

Updated 3:03 p.m.

The Greenwich Village Society for Historical Preservation has more about today's news here.

Report: Why the subway is late and crowded a lot

An EVG reader passed along this photo from Union Square last evening showing more Hellish than usual lines for the L. (Gothamist has more on what happened here — rail conditions! signal problems! status quo!)

Meanwhile, the Post today examines new MTA stats and finds!

Subway riders are being squashed together on increasingly crowded trains, new data revealed Monday — and lack of basic manners getting in and out of cars is contributing to a spike in delays.

Weekdays trains experienced overcrowding delays a staggering 14,843 times in December — the most recent month where data was available.

That is a 113 percent increase from a year earlier.

One more stat from the article: "6 million people crammed into subway cars on 29 different days in 2014 — the most since the MTA started tracking ridership."

The breaker pop heard 'round the neighborhood

[Photo from Feb. 16]

We talked with several people about the noise/bang/pop/explosion at the Con Ed power plant and subsequent flicker in the power on Saturday night... it didn't go unnoticed (as is usually the case) ...

@fnytv @ConEdison sure was and I saw a flash of blue light towards the east

— M. Dunn-Srimuangboon (@BuckLikeBronco) February 22, 2015

The Villager talked with Con Ed spokesperson Sidney Alvarez to see what happened at the plant on East 14th Street and Avenue C.

“Basically, in a nutshell, we had some equipment malfunction within our facility. In a nutshell, a breaker popped — and the cause was freezing rain.”

The Fire Department responded but there was no fire, and there were no injuries, Alvarez reported.

The spokesperson didn’t disagree that East Villagers had likely heard a thunderous bang.

“I’m sure they would have heard something,” he said.

As for a white flash in the sky, he said, there was no information regarding that in an internal report he was reading from, but he didn’t deny that it could have happened.

“But there was no fire, no spark,” he noted.

Previously on EV Grieve:
East Village residents ask: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT NOISE LAST NIGHT?

Con Ed making strides so that the East 13th Street substation doesn't explode again

East 9th Street buildings starting to grow taller

Work continues on the north side of Ninth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, where back in 2012 the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) OK'd rooftop additions for four of the buildings on this block.

[Via Off the Grid]

Work began late last year for the new floor at No. 329... and you can see how's it's looking so far...



The buildings were previously owned by Icon Realty, who sold them to Kushner companies in the spring of 2013. Kushner paid $28.75 million deal for 329-335 E. Ninth Street (and 325 E. 10th St.).

Councilmember Rosie Mendez and the Greenwich Village Society of Historical Preservation, among others, spoke out against the additions on this block. The BSA didn't seem to mind.

While we're on this block, you can see how the new building is (slowly) coming along at next door 327 E. Ninth St., the site of a former residential parking lot. We first reported on this six-story, two-unit residential building back in August 2012.

Eventually, No. 327 will look like ...

[Via Curbed]

Previously on EV Grieve:
East 9th Street buildings will soon be taller thanks to the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals

East Ninth Street parking lot will yield to 6-floor residential building

Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks opens tomorrow on East 2nd Street

The speciality shop opens tomorrow at 28 E. Second St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery. Jeremiah Moss, who first reported this yesterday over at Vanishing New York, also received a tour of the space. Check that out here.



Back in November, Jeremiah learned that the popular specialty store, which specializes in rare and out-of-print cookbooks, was getting rent-hiked out its 15-year-old Greenwich Village home.

Soon after this news broke, DNAinfo got word that a pair of siblings, Margo and Garth Johnston, reached out to Slotnick about a retail space available in their childhood home on East Second Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks makes the move to East 2nd Street

West Village-based jeweler Lori McLean relocating to the East Village

[Image via Google Street View]

Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks isn't the only shop making the move west to east.

After closing her West Village location last month courtesy of a rent hike, jeweler Lori McLean is reopening her eponymously named shop at 320 E. 11th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue on Sunday.

In addition to her own handmade line of jewelry, the new space will offer a curated selection of small, handmade lines from independent artists, according to a news release that McLean sent us.

"More than anything, we’re just excited to be part of a creative community again," Lori explains, noting that astronomical rents in their previous West Village location had turned the neighborhood from vibrant and heavily trafficked to desolate save for the corporations who could afford it by the end of the shop’s ten-year lease. "So many great, small businesses had closed around us, almost all replaced by big-name, luxury brands, that by the time our landlord offered us a renewal that was double what we had been paying, it was a little easier to say 'No thanks.'"

So she and her team packed up and embarked on what they have deemed their “East Village Migration,” choosing the spot on 11th Street nestled among neighborhood favorites like Casey Rubber Stamps and the Pas De Deux/Odin duo. The new location will transform the store into what McLean, with over 20 years of experience under her belt, hopes will become "more like your neighborhood jeweler," of days gone-by.

With her studio space tucked in the back, she and her staff will offer what have now become rare services such as custom design work, and, through their Jewelry Hospital” repairs, engraving, plating, stone-setting and pearl stringing services, to name a few.

'Fifty Shades of Fabulous' awaits you on East 7th Street

A two-bedroom penthouse at 128 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue remains on the market ... the furnished unit is ready for a March 1 move-in. For a $15k monthly rental.

And here's what you will get, per the listing at William B. May...

HIP EAST VILLAGE PENTHOUSE * FIFTY SHADES OF FABULOUS!

Keyed locked elevator has direct entrance into your ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE, not one detail has been overlooked in this meticulously designed, beautifully appointed and exquisitely furnished, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom full floor penthouse loft. Spectacular open city views from the a wall of glass with a complimentary light show every night of Manhattan, relax by the wood-burning fireplace with a beverage of choice. Whip up a gourmet meal, with ease, in this fully equipped Chef's Kitchen and enjoy the convenience of your own laundry room and central air conditioning.

Need some fresh air or want to host a fabulous dinner party? Follow the sky-lit glass staircase to your private, expansive, full floor roof deck and take in the breathtaking sunset and panoramic city views.

We last looked at this unit in October 2013 when it was for sale for $4 million.


[October 2013]

[Updated] Report: Man gunned down inside the Lillian Wald Houses on Avenue D

There are few details so far about a 33-year-old man who was shot and killed inside the Lillian Wald Houses at 20 Avenue D late this afternoon.

The NYPD hasn't released the man's name just yet.

Per the Post:

“He was a nice guy. He cared about his kids. I think he had two (children),” said eyewitness Jonathan Caraballo, 22, who lives in the housing complex where the fatal shooting took place.

Updated 8:16 p.m.

DNAinfo reports that the victim was shot and killed on the sidewalk.

Updated 8:30 a.m., Feb. 24

The Daily News reports this morning that the victim is Shemrod Isaac, who was shot three times in the chest outside a building following an argument.

NYPD sources gave the paper this description of the shooter: "a man in his 30s wearing a tan jacket, blue pants and multicolored hat."

The Daily News also reported that Isaac had a criminal record for unnamed drug charges and resisting arrest.

Updated 3:23 p.m.

DNAinfo has more information on Isaac, a rap singer who went by Sham Da God.

Isaac, 33, a father to a 6-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy, was walking through the Lillian Wald Houses at 20 Avenue D about 4:30 p.m. when he got into a dispute with someone who then shot him four times in the chest, according to the NYPD.

"He dropped his baby off and this happened a half-hour after. He gave his son a kiss and a hug. We told him to be careful," said the childrens' mother, Veronica Echevarria, 26.

"I tried calling him after, but someone else picked up the phone. He was gone," Echevarria added.

No one was immediately arrested in connection to his death and did not have any description of the suspect, an NYPD spokeswoman said.

Updated 7:41 p.m.

NYPD officials ID'd Shaquille Fuller (pictured below), 21, a resident of 60 Avenue D, as the suspect in the shooting.



Updated 2-26 1:28 p.m.

The NYPD has arrested Fuller this morning. Charges are pending, DNAinfo reports.

-----

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online.

Construction watch: 76 E. Houston St.

The construction at 76 E. Houston St. is now visible above the plywood here between the Bowery and Elizabeth, where a 2-story building is in the works for the former Billy's Antiques space.

The listing at Sinvin notes that this location is "surrounded by edgy apparel, chic restaurants, cultural landmarks, and residential anchors."



… the rent for the new building with "expansive roof deck" is upon request.



Seems as if the work has been plodding along here. (Check out BoweryBoogie's coverage for more background here.)

Meanwhile, apparently the space already has a fake retail client…



Charming!



Also, the mural wall will remain adjacent to the property.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Deal off to bring Crif Dogs to the former Billy's Antiques space

The Houston/Bowery Mural Wall has been boarded up

Full stop work order for 76 E. Houston St., and the return of Billy's Antiques (sort of)

Expanded lobby on the way at Eleventh and Third

There's still some work going on at Eleventh and Third, the 12-floor building that recently went through a top-to-bottom luxury renovation.

Approved work permits show that crews are expanding the lobby and adding a second level to the east on 11th Street, as the rendering on the plywood shows...





… and how it looks as of Saturday…





The building here at Third Avenue includes a gym, yoga studio, rooftop terrace and lobby with espresso machines. According to Streeteasy, the units, which all include self-closing drawers and cabinets, average about $4,800.

It's not clear exactly what will be housed in the expanded lobby.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Someone actually paid $57 million for this East Village building

Reimagining this 12-story East Village building, now on the market

NY Copy & Printing forced out of longtime E. 11th St. home, opening second location on E. 7th St.

Eleventh and Third indulges in some nonsensical branding

Rebranded 'Eleventh and Third' will have rentals upwards of $10k

Retail space housing The Smith and M2M asking $25.5 million on 3rd Avenue

Verdigreen vintage furnishings boutique coming to East 7th Street

Coming soon signs are up at 122 E. 7th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, where Verdigreen will be opening a new shop.

The Montclair, N.J.-based store is described on their website as "a vintage redesigned furnishings boutique and handmade haven" with lightning, home goods and paint supplies, among other items, for sale.

This space was previously home to La Belle Crepe.

Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches hasn't been open lately on East 2nd Street

Last April, a Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches reopened on East Second Street just east of Avenue A.

Anyway, we haven't seen the place open in about a week. There aren't any "closed for renovations" signs up on the gate or any outgoing voice messages.

Perhaps they are just on a late-winter break?

To recap from a previous post!

Vicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches took over the Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches space nearly four years ago. Vicky's then closed at the end of November 2013.

The folks at the all-new Nicky's said that they are the original Nicky's.

HOWEVER. We later emailed the family who ran the original Nicky's (and who still have two restaurants in NYC). Here's what they had to say:

"No. They are not the original Nicky's. We only have two locations now. One in the Financial District and one in downtown Brooklyn."

A family member said that they are aware of the name use here, but that it was OK.

We never thought that the new Nicky's was as good as the old Nicky's. Maybe others thought the same.

A few details about the Tompkins Square Park igloo

[Photo yesterday by Bobby Williams]

Here's more info about this price piece of real estate located in the middle of Tompkins Square Park…

Via reliable sources on Twitter…

@evgrieve Its okay this apartment is available for $6000/mo plus utilities. sNOw deposit necessary. pic.twitter.com/O09RKJAHzO

— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) February 22, 2015

And!

@evgrieve look what's in the igloo! It's the new pee phone! pic.twitter.com/J1ZCy2JBJ5

— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) February 22, 2015

No word yet what the going rate will be for a summer sublet…

A lot of people are saying the East Village smelled like smoke or burning tires or something tonight

[Photo tonight by William Klayer]

Seriously folks, why does the East Village/Lower East Side smell like burning rubber right now?

— Mikey IQ Jones (@thegreatiq) February 23, 2015

@evgrieve know what that burning smell is? smells like a fire in a restaurant, part electric part meat

— beth rosner (@beth_rosner) February 23, 2015

Why is the east village filled with smoke? Hope people are ok...

— Ali B. Goode (@AliBrmBrm) February 23, 2015

Please tell me I'm not the only one smelling a LOT of smoke in #AlphabetCity #EastVillage #LowerEastSide area right now...

— Madi Tsuji (@MadiTsuji) February 23, 2015

Anyone else smelling heavy smoke in the air on the #LowerEastSide #EastVillage #NYC?

— Tom Krieglstein (@tomkrieglstein) February 23, 2015

There hasn't been anything official yet … just a few reports of several manhole fires tonight… here and elsewhere…

@thegreatiq @evgrieve many fires/smoke in manholes. observed 3: 5th/C, 6th/C 7st/BC popping & smoldering earlier tonight

— WiFi-NY (@WiFi_NY) February 23, 2015

Report of a fire at 133 E. 7th St.

The FDNY arrived en masse at the corner of Avenue A and East Seventh Street shortly after 4 p.m. … where there was a report of a fire at 133 E. 7th St….

MAN ALL HANDS 133 E 7 ST, COMMERCIAL FIRE IN A RESTAURANT,

— FDNY (@FDNY) February 22, 2015

We haven't heard exactly what happened so far… (firefighters were on the roof above Yuca Bar) … the FDNY had things under control fairly quickly…

MAN ALL HANDS 133 E 7 ST, MIXED OCCUPANCY FIRE IN A RESTAURANT, UNDER CONTROL

— FDNY (@FDNY) February 22, 2015

Updated

A few more photos via Bobby Williams…





… and Yuca Bar is closed due to "water issues," per the sign….

Week in Grieview

[Tompkins Square Park photo via Ex Vacuo]

Tracking the coming changes to East 13th Street between Avenue A and 1st Avenue (Thursday)

Photos from the 1970s-80s on East Eighth Street (Monday)

RIP Joy Ryder (Friday)

Out and About with Sheila Rothenberg (Wednesday)

Manitoba's crowdfunding campaign a success; bar will remain open (Thursday)

Hot properties for sale on East Seventh Street in 1836 (Monday)

The Casimir revamp (Wednesday)

Nimble Fitness opens on St. Mark's Place (Thursday)

644 E. 14th St. prepped for demolition (Friday)

Officially down to one 2 Bros. on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

Raclette now serving croques and tartines on Avenue A (Tuesday)

Behold the miniature Cadillac with the Tiger in it! (Tuesday)

A look at the two soon-to-be-demolished East Village gas stations (Tuesday)

Lou Reed's musical favorites (Tuesday)

Happy Birthday McSorley's (Monday)

What's coming to 50 Clinton St. (Thursday)

Amona Deli & Grocery leaving the Red Square strip on East Houston (Wednesday)

Heights + Kenchi Bespoke Clothier coming to East Fifth Street (Tuesday)

Casablanca now serving hookahs and French-Moroccan cuisine on East Third Street (Thursday)

Restaurant wanted for 12 St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

Fun in the snow with the adorable Tompkins Square Park wildlife

Awww, that's so sweet the way the rats and squirrels play together…



Photo this morning by Derek Berg

A look at Little Tokyo in the East Village

Over at Eater, Robert Sietsema has filed a comprehensive look at the neighborhood's Little Tokyo, highlighting some of the specialty shops and restaurants by category. Find the article here.

Sunrise Mart photo via Foursquare

Tompkins Square Park's February Wonderland

Photo yesterday by Fenton Lawless