Prepping to repair fire-damaged wall next to the 2nd Avenue explosion site

[Photo on Dec. 16 by Derek Berg]

If you walked past the Second Avenue explosion site this past week, then you likely noticed the arrival of a new fence on the property at East Seventh Street...


[Photo Monday by Steven]

Workers put up the fence last Wednesday — after the arrival on Dec. 14 of the sidewalk bridge out front of the fire-damaged 125 Second Ave.


[Photo on Dec. 15 by EVG]

Here's what's happening at No. 125 according to the approved DOB permits on file with the city (in their ALL-CAP STYLE):

PARGING, MASONRY INFILL WITH NEW MASONRY LAYER AT EXISTING SOUTH EXPOSED FIRE DAMAGED FACADE FOR CELLAR TO 5TH FLOOR AND TO PARAPET AT ROOF LEVEL, RESTORING AND REPOINTING OF BUILDING FACADES FROM CELLAR, 1ST TO 7TH AND PARAPET AT ROOF LEVELS.

There's also an approved permit for the following at the address:

FILE FOR GAS REPIPE OF ENTIRE BUILDING FOR COOKING USE ONLY PER PLANS.

Authorities have said that an illegally tapped gas line at 121 Second Ave. may have caused the blast that killed two men and injured a few dozen other people... as well as destroyed three buildings — 119, 121 and 123 Second Ave.

To date, the city has yet to file charges against anyone in connection with the explosion. The Post reported in April that investigators have "six prime suspects" — landlord Maria Hrynenko, her son Michael Jr., contractor Dilber Kukic as well as an unidentified subcontractor and two workers.

Happy holidays from Raphael Toledano and Brookhill Properties

The gift-giving by Raphael Toledano's Brookhill Properties continues this holiday season.

After closing on a 16-building East Village portfolio back in the fall, residents received a box of chocolates as a welcome from their new landlord.

Some tenants in these newly acquired buildings have accused Toledano and his associates of predatory practices in various published reports (The New York Times, Daily News, The Villager and DNAinfo) and at least one lawsuit.

Previously, rent-regulated tenants at the Toledano-owned 444 E. 13th St. received wine and fruit baskets back in May after the continued lack of basic building services. (This group of tenants filed a lawsuit against the property management.)

And more recently, Toledano tenants received another gift ...



... $20 gift cards to Ninth Street Espresso.

One tenant described the reaction to the gift from his fellow building tenants, many of whom are not having their leases renewed and facing eviction, as "surprised confusion."

Another Toledano tenant had the following response:

Thank you for your kind holiday greetings, and for your thoughtful gift card supporting our neighbors.

If you truly want to make good on your generous wishes for my peace and happiness in the new year, please consider dropping your case against me and renewing my lease.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Landlord of 444 E. 13th St. threatened 'to drop dynamite on the building'

Reader report: Large portfolio of East Village buildings ready to change hands

Report: State investigating East Village landlord Raphael Toledano

Report: Uncle suing nephew broker Raphael Toledano over $100 million East Village deal

Report: Raphael Toledano completes purchase of 16-building East Village portfolio

More about alleged harassment and landlord visits via Brook Hill Properties

Brook Hill Properties launches chocolate offensive

In op-ed, Raphael Toledano says that he wants 'to make the East Village a better place'

Report: East Village landlord Raphael Toledano allegedly misrepresented himself as a lawyer

Live painting with Mike (MiMo) Mozart at 212 Arts on East 4th Street

Words and photos by Stacie Joy

On Sunday afternoon, I stopped by 212 Arts where gallery co-directors Lulu Reich and Marc Leader hosted Mike (MiMo) Mozart's live-painting event.


[From left: Mozart, Reich and Leader]

Mozart is part of the Art Basel on 4th Street exhibit at the gallery, 240 E. Fourth St. at Avenue B, where you can also see works by Claw, Sean Sullivan, Blind156 and Reso, among others, through Dec. 31.

Mozart, a longtime illustrator, has also apparently been doing ghost-drawing for Alec Monopoly ... including work featuring Hasbro's iconic board-game character Mr. Monopoly. (BoweryBoogie recently looked into the relationship between Mozart and Monoploy here.)





During the time I was there on Sunday, Mozart's work was selling and there were people clearly excited and entertained to see him creating art on-site.

Here, Mozart created a pen-and-ink (with pastels and pencil) rendition of Mr. Moneybags...







You can find more info on the 212 gallery here.

Candles for Joe Strummer

As of around 5 p.m., someone had left two candles at the Joe Strummer mural outside Niagara, East Seventh Street and Avenue A.

Strummer, the lead vocalist of the Clash, died 13 years ago today.

Previously.

[Updated] Watch this guy take all the packages from an East 3rd Street building lobby

A resident who lives on East Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B shared this surveillance video with us ... it's from around 6 p.m. on Saturday. The video picks up the man entering the building, taking a look around, then helping himself to all the packages by the mailboxes in the lobby.



There have been multiple package thefts from this one building. (Someone has routinely hit the buzzers seeking access in the evening.)

We understand that the NYPD is on the case.

Updated 11:28 a.m.

From an EVG reader... management from a building on East 11th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B sent residents a photo of the man who surveillance cameras show taking two packages from the lobby. He allegedly did this after delivering another package to the address.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Watch this man help himself to packages from an East 7th Street lobby

Another report of stolen packages from an East Village lobby

Bluebird Coffee Shop has closed on East 1st Street

[Photo by Marjorie Ingall]

Multiple EVG readers noted that Bluebird Coffee Shop has closed on East First Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The note on the door says that the shop will reopen with new ownership and a new identity.

If the space remains a coffee shop... then it will be the third coffee spot here in the past six years. The Bluebird Coffee Shop opened in November 2009 ... and in late 2011 the folks behind Ditmas Park-based Cafe Madeline took over the space.

It's a competitive little area for coffee... you have Juicy Lucy on one side... and Juice Press on the other (JP sells cold-brewed coffee and a few lattes)... and Mudspot Café/Mud Park right across the street.

H/t @seancarlson

Incoming 99¢ pizza place on Avenue A will be called 99¢ Pizza

Signage is up for the incoming 99-cent pizza dispensary at 91 Avenue A ... looks like the business is called 99¢ Pizza. (With the promise of being both "famous & fresh," per the sign.)

The pizzeria is taking the vacant space that last housed Benny's to-go right here by East Sixth Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
How about some 99¢ pizza for Avenue A

Minca Ramen Factory remains closed on East 5th Street

Last Thursday, an EVG reader noted that the popular Minca Ramen Factory on East Fifth Street just west of Avenue B had been closed for days.

And last night, Minca remained dark... there is a note up now, pointing to some plumbing work...



There's no word on how long Minca might need to stay closed. Plumbing-related issues around the neighborhood haven't been on any kind of fast-track these days.

Mina's sister restaurant, Kambi Ramen House, is open at 351 E. 14th St.

The good shepherd

A man walking on East Third Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue tonight noticed that someone had discarded this framed photo of sheep.

He thought that his kids might like the print. So he carried it off with him...



Photos by Derek Berg

Noted

CBGB's Reopening! At Newark Airport: ht @readmyback pic.twitter.com/m9Ay6VaI8j

— WFMU (@WFMU) December 21, 2015

In case you didn't already hear/see this everywhere earlier today... CBGB is opening as restaurant in the Newark Airport. (No one noted which terminal.)

Per Grub Street:

What exactly pre-flight dining has to do with the seminal punk institution is not clear, but it was previously reported that Harold Moore, the otherwise-celebrated New York chef had been recruited to handle food duties at this strange business. And a quick glance at the menu reveals that the people behind this outpost think wedge salads and turkey clubs served in a fun environment will make diners nostalgic for that time they saw Bad Brains rip up the stage for the first time.

And to some mostly negative reactions on Twitter...

This is so fucking depressing to me. CBGB being used to sell wedge salads & chili dogs. WTF? Is nothing sacred? https://t.co/HLLxyHht63

— Jessie (@VampyreMermaid) December 21, 2015

I'm really hoping the story about the CBGB restaurant at Newark Airport is a hoax.

— Rob (@Svelteassassin) December 21, 2015

For people who love the new CBGB, try my hot wings restaurant, "Moulin Rouge" in Spokane. https://t.co/cqarYa6xKr

— dax shepard (@daxshepard1) December 21, 2015

Hope Newark Airport CBGB opens before I fly back to L.A. because I'd like to be the first person to smear shit on the bathroom walls there.

— Tom Ceraulo (@tceraulo) December 21, 2015

CBGB will reopen...as Maxwell's

— Shawn Perry (@A_Shawn_Ti) December 21, 2015

CBGB will reopen...as a DMV

— Shawn Perry (@A_Shawn_Ti) December 21, 2015

Anyway!

Report: Legal battle over the ownership of 80 St. Mark's Place

[EVG file photo]

DNAinfo looks at the legal battle shaping up between Thomas Otway and his brother Lorcan, proprietor of Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place.

Per DNAinfo:

In court papers filed Dec. 14, the brother, Thomas Otway, also accuses his sibling of coercing their mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, into transferring the deed to the property to him in 2010.

“This transaction was not intended to benefit or otherwise made in [Florence’s] best interest, but rather, was undertaken for the self-serving profit and financial gain of [Lorcan] to [Florence’s] corresponding detriment, damage and harm,” Thomas said in the filing in Manhattan Surrogate's Court.

Thomas, a math professor at Yeshiva University who lives in Croton-on-the-Hudson, N.Y., claims that through a trust, he and his brother were supposed to own an equal share in the two-building property at 78-80 St. Mark’s Place.

He took legal action last week, the filing says, after years of negotiations between him and his brother about the property didn’t lead to any tangible results.

For his part, Lorcan Otway told DNAinfo that "all the allegations are false, misleading and will be addressed in a court of law."

Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue houses a theater, the William Barnacle Tavern and the Museum of the American Gangster.

The new Tompkins Square Bagels will arrive before the 2nd Avenue subway

As we first reported back in June, Christopher Pugliese, the owner of Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A, is opening a second East Village location.

However, in recent months, we hadn't seen much, if any, activity at the former Open Pantry space at 184 Second Ave. between East 11th Street and East 12th Street — the soon-to-be home of his second shop. (His other store remains at 165 Avenue A.)

Then this sign arrived at the Second Avenue storefront on Wednesday...


[Photo by Shawn Chittle]

We asked Pugliese for an update on the renovation.

Turns out that the Department of Buildings (DOB) has been behind the delays, he said.

"The killer is, the DOB approved all of our major alterations very quickly," he said. "They came back to us with a list of about 12 minor objections and asked us to make adjustments. Little things like 'move this staircase six inches to the right,' or 'put the skylight here instead of there.' That has been dragging on for months."

He had hoped to be open for business by now.

"The whole thing is very frustrating. I signed my lease in June. I don't have money to spare on rent for an empty space. My landlord was nice enough to give me two more free months when I came to him and told him what was going on. That's unheard of in this town," Pugliese said. "We are hoping to get final approval this month, work for three to four months on the build out and open in time for spring.

"But I will beat the Second Avenue subway — that's for sure."

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 40-plus years, Open Pantry looks to be closing on 2nd Avenue

Rumor: Tompkins Square Bagels possibly opening a 2nd East Village location on 2nd Avenue

A 2nd Tompkins Square Bagels confirmed for former Open Pantry space on 2nd Avenue

Tompkins Square Bagels makes it official on 2nd Avenue

Juice Vitality coming to 1st Avenue

The coming soon sign is up at 192 First Ave., where Juice Vitality (JV) is next up to take the storefront here between East 11th Street and East 12th Street.

The signage notes that they will serve and sell smoothies, fresh juice and bubble tea, all of which are in ample supply in the neighborhood.

Previous tenant Medina Deli moved around the corner in October to the former Reciprocal Skateboard space on East 11th Street.

A question about Extell construction noise on East 14th Street

[EVG photo from September]

Extell Development's ongoing construction (and previous demolition and pile-driving) continues to make neighbors living near the site on East 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B unhappy. (Not sure what ever came of the Extell noise meeting back in September.)

As previously reported, Extell is putting up two 7-floor retail-residential buildings ... 500 E. 14th St. at Avenue A will have 106 residential units … while, further to the east, 524 E. 14th St. will house 44 residential units.

A nearby resident writes in: "Do you have any ideas for what to do about construction noise? Seems Extell is running a generator non-stop at their site." (To power the recently arrived lights?)

The resident tried the community email address that's posted on the East 14th Street field office ...



The resident said that the email address "amusingly" doesn't work. (We tried it too, and received a bounce back.)



The phone number listed does work, with a voice-mail with instructions on leaving a message about the construction. The outgoing message says that project personnel will "continually monitor site conditions ... to ensure that there are minimal disruptions to the community. Thank you for your cooperation."

Previously on EV Grieve:
The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

[Updated with correction] 8-lot parcel of East 14th Street primed for new development

New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units

1st activity at 500 E. 14th St. since the demolition phase, and when the standing water froze

Community meeting tonight to address construction noise at Extell's East 14th Street development sites

Some more details on the condos at the former East 6th Street synagogue

[Rendering via the 415 website]

The Times recaps what has transpired to date (with some new details) about the former Congregation Mezritch Synagogue at 415 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

As you probably know, the historic building is being converted from a house of assembly to three houses of condos, with prices ranging from $2.95 million to $4.4 million (that unit includes two terraces).

A few passages from the Times then:

The congregation that has occupied the building since 1910 will still be there, on the ground floor and the basement level. In fact, the condominium deal has allowed the synagogue and its building to survive.

Two of the apartments include the synagogue’s original, newly restored stained-glass windows, and one also has an original door, now with glass cutouts to let in light, as part of a living room wall.

And!

As part of the current agreement, the developers are providing at least $20,000 annually to the congregation for the next 198 years, in addition to a $600,000 payment up front. East River is also giving the synagogue a $180,000 “fit-out allowance” for the synagogue to design and rebuild the sanctuary and other spaces, like offices or meeting spaces in the basement.

Also!

The developers received permission to bump up part of the roof a little to create the second level of the penthouse, though the change is not visible from the sidewalk.

It may not be visible from the sidewalk directly in front of the building, but the addition is noticeable from across Sixth Street and in Village View. It's also in plain view in the rendering on the 415 website.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Plan to add condos to historic East Sixth Street synagogue back on

Play spot the potential penthouse atop the East Village synagogue

A final look inside the Anshei Meseritz synagogue on East Sixth Street

Stained-glass windows removed ahead of condo conversion at Congregation Mezritch Synagogue

Condos at former East 6th Street synagogue will start at just under $3 million

Sidewalk bridge comes down as condo conversion continues at former East 6th Street synagogue

History reimagined with $4.4 million penthouse at former 6th Street synagogue

Today we're 8 (in blog years)

EV Grieve started eight years ago today. On this occasion.

This is a moment to thank you for reading and commenting and offering feedback and story ideas and theories and everything. This site doesn't work without you.

And thank you to the frequent EVG contributors, including Dave on 7th, Derek Berg, Stacie Joy, James Maher, Steven who, like Cher, doesn't use a last name, and Bobby Williams.

Someone recently asked me what my favorite all-time EVG post was. I have no idea. But I found this one to be the most compelling in recent years.

Report: Manhattan Cryobank wants Stuy Town's sperm

An EVG reader shared this story with us from the past week that we missed...

As Town & Village first reported, Midtown-based Manhattan Cryobank sent a mailer to to all of Stuyvesant Town’s buildings (though not Peter Cooper’s) "because of the high population of NYU graduate students and men in their early twenties to early thirties."

As you might expect, the mailer didn't go over real well with some folks.

Per one resident:

“This is the kind of PR that Tishman and CWCapital have been putting out that people are sending us that. We’ve never received this kind of thing — this is what they think this neighborhood is? What if you sent your kid down to get the mail? We do not want to be known as the sperm bank neighborhood. I think the new people (Blackstone) should know about this. They bought a sperm bank.”

Anyway, Spring Break!

Free trees for the holidays!

Well, people leaving town for the holidays (perhaps!) continue to toss their trees. (Maybe MulchFest should move up their date from January?) The tossed trees seem to be everywhere...



So perhaps if you've been holding off on buying a tree this holiday season, then you can pick one up for free. (Or if you want a second tree for the home.) Or if you want a new tree, then you can check out Stacie Joy's round-up of neighborhood stands here.

Photos today by Derek Berg

At the 9th Precinct's annual holiday event for kids

The 9th Precinct hosted its annual children's holiday party yesterday on East Fifth Street ... Derek Berg stopped by to check in on the present action...









A lot of happy faces (though not everyone was happy!).

And at first glance, we thought Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer might be leading the crowd in xmas carols ... nope – she was just thanking the 9th Precinct...

A moment on East Houston

Via our friends at In Alphabet City...