[Updated] Tagging the Bowery mural wall

This past weekend, someone defaced David Choe's week-old canvas on the Bowery Mural Wall.

BoweryBoogie reported that the vandalism was due "to past comments made on [Choe's] podcast bragging about an alleged sexual encounter with a masseuse in 2014." Choe later claimed that his confession was simply "bad storytelling in the style of douche." Regardless, as BoweryBoogie put it, "Critics have been accusing him of rape ever since."

Hyperallergic published an op-ed last week titled "How the New Bowery Wall Commission Puts Rape Culture on Display."

The "BTM" tag on the wall is apparently the work of Big Time Mafia. It's unclear if their message is related to Choe's past or general disdain for the wall, owned by Goldman Properties, and/or Choe's work.

Another tag on the wall last week was more explicit...

Someone spray painted "rapist" on David Choe's new mural earlier today! pic.twitter.com/Td3qNH9QMc

— Bucky Turco (@buckyturco) June 6, 2017

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Updated 6/14



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And this wasn't the first time that someone has tagged/bombed/defaced the work up on the Bowery Mural Wall in recent years. A sampling includes:

Logan Hicks last September...



Swoon in January in January 2014...



Maya Hayuk's criss-cross mural in February 2014...



Kenny Scharf multiple times in early 2011...



Shepard Fairey in July 2010...





...and Fairey in May 2010...



The bottom part of the mural was eventually ripped to shreds...

10th Street road restoration continues this week

The 10th Street (accelerated) water main replacement project work is continuing this week between Avenue A and First Avenue... as these photos from EVG (Accelerated) Water Main Replacement Project correspondent Daniel show...







According to the Weekly Construction Bulletin (PDF here), this week marks the "final restoration of the roadway."

Starbucks confirmed for Avenue A

It looks like those Starbucks-to-Avenue A rumors are true.

Recently issued work permits for 129-131 Avenue A show ...


[Click to go big]

Per the ALL-CAP DOB paperwork on another work permit for the address: "FILING FOR GENERAL CONSTRUCTION RELATED TO STARBUCKS BUILD-OUT."

It's not exactly clear where the Starbucks will go... there are multiple addresses — 125-131 St Mark's Place and 125-131 Avenue A — associated with the building on the northwest corner, and there are several empty storefronts within these addresses... including the former Nino's and Hop Devil Grill...



The original rumors had the Starbucks going into this prime corner space. (That makes sense.) Paper also just went up in the window of the former Yoshi Sushi...



None of the work permits posted on these storefronts list the Starbucks info. That's only online as of now.

It's also not clear what kind of Starbucks this will be. Last fall, the company announced plans to open up to 1,000 Starbucks stores "with a Reserve coffee bar experience" by the end of 2017. There are four newish locations in NYC of a Starbucks Reserve Roastery, including at 10 Waverly Place.

The architect of record for the Avenue A work was also behind the new Starbucks on Waverly Place as well as several others in the city.

In any event, this will be the first Starbucks to open in the East Village east of First Avenue, where there are locations at Third Street and at 13th Street.

As for the previous tenants here, to the usual recap: Nino's closed in October 2015. As previously reported, owner Nino Camaj accepted a low six-figure amount to walk away from his remaining 10-year lease and surrender the pizza shop that he opened in 1989. He had been in a dispute with the landlord over back rent and a closure due to a gas leak in the building. Hop Devil Grill and its sister bar next door, The Belgian Room, were seized by the state in April 2015 for nonpayment of taxes.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A look at the retail listing for the northwest corner of A and St. Mark's Place

The former spaces for Nino's and Hop Devil Grill have been combined

Those Starbucks rumors continue to percolate on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

And that's pretty much it for the former 112-120 E. 11th St.

[Photo from May 2016]

Plywood signage along 112-120 E. 11th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue pointed to a summer completion for the demolition of this row of circa-1890 tenement buildings...



Workers are right on schedule. The five buildings are gone...





...just some bricks and assorted rubble need to be carted out...





... until work can start on the 13-story hotel for Marriott’s Moxy brand. The Moxy website shows that the 11th Street hotel is expected to open in late 2018.

Previously on EV Grieve:
6-building complex on East 10th Street and East 11th Street sells for $127 million

Report: 300-room hotel planned for East 11th Street

Preservationists say city ignored pitch to designate part of 11th Street as a historic district

Permits filed to demolish 5 buildings on 11th Street to make way for new hotel (58 comments)

At the Moxy hotel protest on 11th Street last evening

Tenant advocacy group names the city's worst landlords; Icon and Steve Croman in top 10

[Image from Thursday via @ANHDNYC]

Some familiar names to East Village residents made the list of Stabilizing NYC's "10 worst predatory equity landlords" in NYC, which the housing group announced Thursday on the steps of City Hall:

1) All Year Management
2) Coney Realty Group
3) David David
4) Icon Realty Management
5) INK Property Group
6) Madison Realty Capital/Silverstone Property Group
7) Steven Croman
8) R.A. Cohen & Associates
9) Ved Parkash
10) ZARA Realty Holding Corp

Per a news release:

"All the landlords on the list reportedly force tenants to live in horrendous and, often, dangerous conditions. Their unscrupulous and often illegal practices impact the entire city.

“We will be targeting these landlords to help tenants fight back against the predatory practices that put their homes at risk,” said Keriann Pauls, a staff attorney with the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center. “Predatory equity landlords are jeopardizing tenant safety and housing stability throughout the city.”

And...

Recently, the New York City Council has introduced legislation useful to lawyers and organizers in this struggle against predatory equity, including the Predatory Equity Watch List. With additional resources, Stabilizing NYC is working with the city council to enforce these new laws against predatory equity landlords.

"Landlords who act in bad faith in order to kick out tenants to make a profit and flip buildings should pay attention: we’re developing tools that will protect tenants and their homes, and disallow landlords from beefing up their pockets through illegal actions,” said Councilmember Ritchie Torres. “I’m proud to be working with CAPE and Stabilizing NYC on legislation to confront the problem of predatory equity that seeks to destroy affordable housing and communities."

Residents, tenant-rights organizations and local elected officials have accused Icon Realty, who owns multiple East Village buildings, of displacing rent-regulated tenants with frivolous lawsuits and exposing them to hazardous health and safety threats.

Madison Realty Capital/Silverstone Property Group is now managing Raphael Toledano's East Village portfolio.

Last Tuesday, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the guilty plea of Croman. Under the terms of his plea, Croman would serve one year of jail time on Rikers and pay a $5 million tax settlement. Croman's real-estate empire includes 47 buildings with 617 units in the East Village — more than any other than any other landlord in this neighborhood.

Stabilizing NYC — a coalition of 15 grassroots, neighborhood-based organizations, a citywide legal service provider and a citywide housing advocacy organization — formed in 2014. According to their website, the collation "works to combat tenant harassment and preserve affordable housing for the New Yorkers who need it most."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Tenants and local elected officials speak out against Icon Realty

Cork 'n Fork is now Gomi on Avenue A

The awning for Gomi's arrived on Saturday here at 186 Avenue A, though the restaurant officially opened on June 1.

As we understand it, the principal owner of the wine-tapas bar Cork 'n Fork remains as a shareholder, but is resigning as an officer and director of the company ... with a new partner coming aboard, hence the name/concept change...(this PDF at the CB3 website has the background).





Gomi's Facebook page describes it as an "Asian-fusion restaurant." Here's a look at part of their menu...





Cork 'n Fork opened here between 11th Street and 12th Street in the fall of 2013.

Work starts on the Shake Shack's Death Star location

Workers are prepping the corner of 51 Astor Place/IBM Watson Building/Death Star at Third Avenue and Ninth Street for Shake Shacking.

As previously noted, Danny Meyer’s fast-growing burger chain is opening a 3,000-square-foot outpost here.

Anyway, paper is up on the Third Avenue side of the building ... along with various permits...



Shake Shack has also applied for a beer-wine license. This application will go before CB3's SLA committee tonight...



And here's a look at the space from the Ninth Street side, which no one has papered over just yet...



The Post, who first reported on this new lease, said the Shack is expected to open in the fall.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Astor Place Shake Shack going for a beer-wine license

At the start of the Body Pride Parade in Tompkins Square Park

The Body Pride Parade kicked off this afternoon from Tompkins Square Park... EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos before the group left for Washington Square Park...

Week in Grieview

[Photo on 7th and A by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

AG announces guilty plea of landlord Steve Croman, who'll serve 1 year at Rikers (Tuesday)

Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner (Friday) ... while landlord Maria Hrynenko shifts blame to management company (Monday)

First look at the Lenin statue's return to the Lower East Side (Friday)

DA: Man receives 50 years to life for 2015 murder of aspiring rapper on Avenue D (Thursday)

FDNY says fire that started at Artichoke was accidental (Thursday) ... while the new location has opened on 14th Street (Tuesday)

Naked guy stands on Houston and Avenue A (Thursday)

A pizza for Count Slima (Tuesday)

Hurricane Season 2017: Do you know your zone? (Monday)

Owners of Triona's lined up to take over Croxley Ales on Avenue B (Tuesday)

Chinese restaurant in the works for former Surma Books & Music space on 7th Street (Wednesday)

What will the art market bear for this? (Sunday)

Some jazz to go with the All That Jazz piano in Tompkins Square Park (Wednesday)


[Photo in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

Urban Etiquette Sign of the week (Thursday)

A quick look at Tramonti Pizza on St. Mark's Place (Friday)

Live to be Great on Great Jones (Friday)

Cherin Sushi now open in larger space next door on 6th Street (Wednesday)

East River hosting July 4 fireworks again; prepare thee for "never-before-seen shells and effects" (Wednesday)

Looking at the former Neptune space on 1st Avenue (Wednesday)

Chao Chao has not been open lately (Monday)

Report: Hotel Indigo, home to the rooftop bar Mr. Purple, is for sale (Thursday)

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Looking for answers about this chicken's death in La Plaza Cultural

[Photo from April by Cheyenne]

On Monday, there was a lot of speculation over the death of Hyacinth, one of the chickens at La Plaza Cultural, the community garden on the southwest corner of Ninth Street and Avenue C... fueled in part by this update on the Citizen app...



We never heard anything else to substantiate this report of a sacrifice. In any event, there are flyers up now at La Plaza and surrounding streets asking for more information...



...there is a $50 reward as well...



As we understand it, the garden's remaining two chickens are going to an upstate farm today... a move that had already been in the works before Monday's incident.

H/T @artisanmatters

Noted

An EVG reader shared this from outside the Dunkin' Donuts on First Avenue at Sixth Street. (This is on the Sixth Street side.)

On Tuesday, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the guilty plea of Croman, a landlord with 47 buildings in the East Village. Under the terms of his plea, Croman would serve one year of jail time on Rikers Island and pay a $5 million tax settlement.

Branching out in Tompkins Square Park

[Hawklet pic yesterday by Bobby Williams]

Earlier today, as this photo by Steven shows, the red-tailed hawk nestling started branching — a step toward further developing those flight muscles — from the nest in Tompkins Square Park ...



... the next step before the hawklet fledges...

Visit Goggla's site for more photos and thoughts on Christo and Dora's lone offspring this year.

Today in rooftop lap pool deliveries on 11th Street

A crane crew was out on 11th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C... delivering what appeared to be a lap pool for the rooftop of the condoplex at 643 E. 11th St. ...







Here's how Streeteasy describes the penthouse here:

This sleek and sexy 2325sf penthouse duplex is arguably the most dramatic and glamorous property the East Village has ever seen. Its one-of-a-kind layout features soaring 18 foot ceilings, private keyed elevator access, three separate terraces as well as two juliette balconies, with the outdoor space alone totalling 550sf.

And!

There are even an additional 450 square feet of FAR should one choose to add a third tier to the privately owned roof and create a triplex. Quite simply, this stunning, jawdropping showpad needs to be seen to be believed.

Looks like the showpad has another amenity.

Thanks to Peter Brownscombe for the photos!