City ready to attack rats in Tompkins Square Park (and elsewhere) (again)

Our plan to e-RAT-icate NYC’s vermin problem is underway – Bigbelly garbage cans are being installed in Tompkins Square Park! pic.twitter.com/MmwNOvyWUx

— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) July 13, 2017

The war on rats began (again) yesterday as city workers installed new Big Belly trash cans in Tompkins Square Park...


[Photo by EVG reader Andy on 7th]

These solar-powered, rat-proof trash cans — which cost $7,000 each, per the Daily News — seem to work when they are not full or have trash stacked next to them...


[Photo from June]


[Photo from June]

The high-tech trash cans are just part of Mayor de Blasio's $32 million plan to help reduce the number of rats in several neighborhoods, including the East Village.

The Mayor announced the renewed rat attack on Wednesday. Here's more via the Mayor's Office:

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a $32 million, multi-agency plan to reduce the city’s rat population that targets the three most infested parts of city: the Grand Concourse area, Chinatown/East Village/Lower East Side and Bushwick/Bedford-Stuyvesant. This interagency initiative aims to reduce rat activity by up to 70 percent in the targeted zones by minimizing food sources and available habitats.

This integrated pest management approach will build on the success of the City’s current rat abatement programs and attack environmental factors conducive to rats, which is more effective than poisoning rats alone. By dramatically reducing the available habitats and food sources in targeted areas, rat reproduction will diminish and rat colonies will decline.

The City will achieve this by cementing dirt basements in NYCHA, purchasing better waste containers, increasing trash pickup and increasing enforcement of rat-related violations in these areas. All aspects of this plan will be launched by the end of 2017.

To reduce the rat population, the de Blasio Administration will implement the following new programs in the three mitigation zones:

• New waste containers: The City will purchase 336 solar compactors that restrict access to trash with a “mail-box” opening and that have resulted in 90% rat reductions when fully deployed in concentrated areas. The City will also replace all the remaining wire waste baskets in the zones with 1,676 steel cans — both in parks and on street corners — which should meaningfully reduce rats’ access to food sources compared to current wire baskets. Installation of solar compactors and steels cans will begin by September.

• Better trash management in DOHMH-designated areas: The plan proposes a local law that requires buildings containing more than 10 units within the Mitigation Zones to curb garbage after 4am the day of trash collection, greatly reducing the availability of rats’ food source.

To further minimize rats’ food source, local laws will be proposed to require enrollment in organics collection by Food Service Establishments and low-performing buildings in the DOHMH-designated areas. A citywide local law will also be proposed to increase fines for illegal dumping by private business from $1,500 to $5,000 for first time offenses, with fines reaching up to $20,000 for additional violations.

• More frequent trash pickup and anti-rat staff: The plan calls for increased DSNY basket and residential service in the most critical areas within the Mitigation Zones. Similarly, NYC Parks basket pickup will become an everyday occurrence in all parks within the Mitigation Zones, accompanied by targeted litter removal from parks.

Increased DSNY and NYC Parks waste basket pick up has already begun, with increased DSNY residential pick up beginning by the end of August. Eight staff will be added to DOHMH’s anti-rat team; seven front-line staff and a sophisticated data scientist to allow DOHMH to conduct data-driven rat mitigation efforts. Finally, NYCHA’s MyNYCHA mobile app will be modified to ensure tenants can effectively create work orders for trash removal and rat mitigation.

• New laws to require better trash management: We will work with City Council to introduce new laws to improve trash management and reduce food for rats in these mitigation zones. These laws will require buildings with 10+ units to put out trash at 4 AM in DOHMH set areas, call for low-performing buildings to enroll in organics collection, instruct Food Service Establishments to enroll in organics in areas set by DOHMH, and increase fines for improper waste disposal and illegal dumping.

The plans did not include deploying more of the most-effective rat catchers in Tompkins Square Park...





Hawk photos by Bobby Williams

Previously on EV Grieve:
This may have a chilling effect on the rat population in Tompkins Square Park

East Village is No. 1 in Lower Manhattan for garbage, noise and rodent complaints, study finds

The East Village will be testing ground for a 'rat reservoir pilot'

Oh rats: CB3 reportedly tops in Manhattan for vermin

217 E. 3rd St. is for sale (plus air rights)

The four-story retail-residential building at 217 E. Third St. between Avenue B and C is now on the market.

Here's the listing via Cushman & Wakefield:

The building has a vacant turnkey bar/restaurant on the ground floor and three free market floor-through apartments above (with month to month tenants). It is believed that two of the apartments were recently renovated. The usable basement is accessible via the common area and houses the mechanicals and storage area. The building is approximately 4,160 SF above grade, and there are approximately 4,700 SF of remaining air rights. All of the utilities are separately metered for gas and electric and each unit has a gas-fired furnace and hot water heater. The square footage does not include a one story structure at the rear of the property which is separated by a small courtyard area. The building is classified as Tax Class 2A and therefore ownership benefits from limits in significant tax increases.

This is a rare opportunity for an investor or owner-user to acquire a low maintenance building in the East Village with little to no capital expenditure. The surrounding area has a wide array of great shopping, dining and nightlife options. The neighborhood has experienced rapid transformation in recent years which has attracted a younger population drawn to the area’s new developments and exciting streetscape.

Asking price: $6 million.

The currently vacant retail space was last put to use by Corlear's NYC, a "Pre-Prohibition style bar executing vintage cocktails." They opened in December 2015 and closed sometime early this year. Three years ago, the cocktail bar Elsa closed in this space. Elsa just reopened in Cobble Hill. Per the Times yesterday: "So many of our new regulars are old regulars who moved out here,” said Natalka Burian, 35, who owns the bar with her husband, Jay Schneider, 37, and her brother-in-law Scott Schneider, 30."

Former Chao Chao space for rent on Avenue A

The for rent sign has arrived at 171 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Chao Chao, the 6-month-old contemporary Vietnamese restaurant, closed without any notice to patrons in late May. Chao Chao evolved from Soothsayer, which opened in January 2016. Soothsayer, from the same operators, also closed without any notice to patrons at the end of September 2016. Brown paper covered the front windows for several months before the space re-emerged as Chao Chao last November.

171 Avenue A was also the onetime home of Rat Cage Records and 171A, the illegal club-turned-rehearsal studio that produced records by Bad Brains and the "Polly Wog Stew" EP by the Beastie Boys.

The listing for the space is not yet online.

Previously

H/T EVG reader dwg!

Noted

Spotted on Second Avenue and Seventh Street today... first two photos by Derek Berg...



... and later, or maybe earlier, in Tompkins Square Park...


[Photo by Bobby Williams]

Nightclubbing this weekend at the Anthology Film Archives

[Photo of John Lurie via the Anthology Facebook page]

Here's what's happening this weekend at the Anthology Film Archives, Second Street at Second Avenue...

Video artists Pat Ivers and Emily Armstrong, in the pre-MTV days from 1977-80, spent their nights documenting New York’s nascent punk and No Wave scenes. Armed with Portapak cameras, they shot rare performances and interviews with the Dead Boys, Iggy Pop, the Heartbreakers, John Cale, the Cramps, Sun Ra, the Go-Go’s, Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, James Chance and the Contortions, Richard Hell, and countless others at legendary clubs like CBGB, Mudd Club and Danceteria.

Anthology is thrilled to present four separate screenings comprising seven different compilation programs, with Ivers and Armstrong here in person for Q&As after all shows...

Find all the details here. You can buy tickets here.

Friday 8 p.m.

PUNK
Seminal performers like Iggy Pop, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, Dead Kennedys, and Rocket from the Tombs anchor this exploration of hardcore music with rare early Bad Brains, and the Dead Boys.

NEW WAVE
In 1980, from Tokyo to Minneapolis, punk music was evolving to create New Wave. With a poppy, electronic sound, bands like The Plastics, the Suburbs, Ballistic Kisses, Bush Tetras, the Go-Go’s, Human Sexual Response, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Our Daughters Wedding, Pylon, and Strange Party embodied this musical shift.

Saturday 8 p.m.

Conventional wisdom tells us that punk began in 1975 or 76. Not for Suicide, a punk band since 1970. Innovators Alan Vega and Martin Rev put forth the model for the synth duos that went on to dominate the 80s – but with their own unmatched style and legendary use of drum machines, organs, and synths. Travel back in time with us for this SUICIDE LIVE show. Followed by a Q&A with Martin Rev, as well as Pat Ivers and Emily Armstrong!

Total running time: ca. 45 min + Q&A.

Sunday 5:45 p.m.

GREATEST HITS
This program hits the bases with the very best performances from fan faves like Divine, The Cramps, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Levi and the Rockats, the Go-Go’s, and more.

INTERVIEWS
Culled from their collection of 25 interviews with musicians, writers, and scene makers, this program finds Ivers and Armstrong talking with Jay Dee Daugherty and Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group), Walter Lure (The Heartbreakers), James Chance (Contortions), Jeff Magnum and Cheetah Chrome (Dead Boys), and Richard Lloyd (Television).

Followed by a Q&A with Jay Dee Daugherty, from the Patti Smith Group, as well as Pat Ivers and Emily Armstrong!

Total running time: ca. 85 min.

Sunday 8 p.m.

NO WAVE AND BEYOND
Not for the meek, this program features Downtown’s most cutting-edge artists, from Velvet Underground veteran John Cale on his Sabotage tour to rare footage of James Chance and the Contortions, and Teenage Jesus and the Jerks at the Paradise Garage in 1978. No Wave superstars DNA, the Lounge Lizards, and Sun Ra round out the noise fest.

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD BOYS
Join us for a program that features a legendary live concert by the Dead Boys at CBGB’s in 1977, at the height of their power! This is American punk at its most raw, honest, and urgent.

Followed by a Q&A with Dead Boys bassist Jeff Magnum, as well as Pat Ivers and Emily Armstrong!

Total running time: ca. 85 min.

[Updated] Report of a fire at 229 E. 7th St.

Dave on 7th shares this photo... the FDNY responded to a report of a fire on the fourth floor at 229 E. Seventh St. at Avenue C...

FDNYalerts MAN ALL HANDS 229 E 7ST, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE IN APT 7,

— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) July 13, 2017

The FDNY gave the all clear about 20 minutes later.

There aren't any further details at the moment, including cause or extent of the damage to surrounding apartments or the ground-floor tenant, Zum Schneider.

Updated 3:55 p.m.

Thanks to East Village Eats for letting us know about this...

The Bean is opening in the former St. Mark's Bookshop space at Cooper Union

The Bean is opening a new location at 31 Third Ave. at Stuyvesant Street ... an EVG tipster sent along these photos from yesterday... the signage shows The Bean @Cooper Union...



The storefront has been empty ever since St. Mark's Bookshop moved out in June 2014. There have been a few art shows here, which makes sense given that Cooper Union owns the building.

"We've always liked the old St. Mark's Bookstore spot and it's been empty for years, so when the opportunity presented itself for us to obtain it we were excited to make it happen," Ike Escava, owner of the Bean, told me via email.

This will make the coffee shop/cafe's fifth location, joining the other East Village locations at Second Avenue and Third Street and Ninth Street at First Avenue. The other locations are at Broadway and 12th Street and Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg.

If all goes well, then Escava said that he'd like to be open around Labor Day.

St. Mark's Bookshop had been struggling to stay in business here. In November 2011, then-Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer helped broker a deal between the Bookshop owners and Cooper Union in which the school agreed to lower the rent by $3,000 to $17,000 and forgive $7,000 in debt. The shop moved to a much smaller space on Third Street with four years remaining on the least at 31 Third Ave.

That penthouse with a cottage atop 1st Street and 1st Avenue is for sale

Thanks to Curbed for first pointing out this one yesterday afternoon...

The penthouse at 72 East First St. at First Avenue is now on the market... it's the home that includes that Cape Cod-style cottage on its rooftop.



Per the listing at Compass:

Truly the most unique property in the East Village, the penthouse at 72 East 1st Street is a full floor duplex with an artist atelier topped with a custom designed Nantucket style cottage. The prime corner location, unobstructed views of Lower Manhattan through twenty-two windows, two wood burning fireplaces, and low monthlies create a spectacular offering that can only be described as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Featuring over 3,000 interior and exterior square feet, the residence is currently configured as two separate spaces, a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom duplex occupying the entire fourth and fifth floors and a cottage apartment with a private wraparound terrace. With creative vision, this penthouse can be converted to a single residence or left as individual units.

And that rooftop cottage:

The crown jewel of this offering is a loft penthouse built on the roof in design of a Nantucket cottage with weathered shingles, cupola and wraparound terrace. New Marvin true divided light windows and a glass block wall highlight extraordinary open views through three exposures. Direct access to the private roof terrace from double french doors create a charming retreat and a rare offering in all of Manhattan. The cottage includes a full bathroom and kitchenette.

Asking price: $3.5 million

Images via Compass

Updated: 99 Miles to Philly is now The Joint on 3rd Avenue

There is a branding/name switcheroo at 94 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street ... where cheesesteak specialists 99 Miles to Philly are now The Joint.

EVG reader Kerry on E. 12th shared the above photo from Tuesday night. Per Kerry:

Looks like 99 Miles to Philly has re-branded as The Joint and is now serving burgers and dogs in addition to their awesome cheesesteaks. The team is the same and they treat their neighborhood regulars like family. Those guys put up with a lot of tough customers in the wee hours of the morning, but they take good care of their neighbors. Place looks a little spiffier and in the name of independent neighborhood journalism, I sampled both a burger and a hot dog: both great!

I reached out to the 99 Miles to Philly ownership to learn more. The quick-serve restaurant first opened here in February 2005.

Updated 10 a.m.

99 Miles partner Neil Barsky shared more about The Joint.

"After 12 years and outlasting every other cheeseteak joint that did not have a bar attached to it, we could no longer survive the costs of doing business in NYC with only having basically one product," he said via email. "We had a choice — close or take advantage of the vacancies left by the closing of Blue 9 and other restaurants in the area. We felt by rebranding with an expanded new menu, which will ... feature Pat LaFrieda's burgers, specialty hot dogs and monthly specialty sandwiches, we could continue to survive and keep good people employed."

UPDATED 'Port of Shadows (Quai des brumes)' Friday night in Tompkins Square Park

Updated 7/14 — The screening has been postponed due to the rain. New date: Sunday, July 16, at 8:30 p.m. ...

The Films on the Green series returns to Tompkins Square tomorrow night.

• Friday, July 14, 8:30 p.m.
"Port of Shadows (Quai des brumes)"
By Marcel Carné, 1938, starring Jean Gabin and Michèle Morgan
Film selected by Laurie Anderson, guest curator



Unfortunately, last Friday evening's screening was interrupted by the downpour.

Find the remaining Films on the Green schedule in other city parks here.

Reminders: The 'Not Another Starbucks Rally' is this evening

[Photo from July 3]

Via the EVG inbox...

Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, East Village Independent Merchants Association, East Village Community Coalition, other local businesses and residents will hold a rally and press conference calling attention to the proliferation of chain stores in the East Village, an area known for small, independently-owned and unique businesses, highlighting how chains promote homogeneity, take money out of neighborhoods, lead to vacancies as landlords wait for a national chain to pay exorbitant rents and put local independent stores out of business.

At the rally participants will call for the approval of a Special Retail District that would limit the size and number of chain stores and promote retail diversity that is currently under consideration by Community Board #3, promote a Shop Local campaign and draw attention to the need for a City Council hearing on the Small Business Jobs Survival Act.

Coffee will be served by local café owners.

What: Not Another Starbucks Rally
Where: 125 Saint Mark’s Place at Avenue A
When: Thursday, July 13, 5:30 p.m.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Steve Cuozzo: 'A new Starbucks will make the thriving East Village an even better place to live'

A look the incoming Starbucks on St. Mark's and Avenue A, site of a rally on July 13

Wednesday's parting shot

Manhattanhenge was not to be this evening.

There's one more chance tomorrow evening for a photo opp as the sun's evening descent conforms perfectly to the pattern of the city's east-west streets.

According to the American Museum of Natural History, at 8:21 p.m. tomorrow, half of the sun will align with the streets and illuminate half of the buildings. Weather permitting.

Photo on 14th Street at Avenue C tonight by Peter Brownscombe

Did you lose a parakeet?

A construction worker found the bird here earlier today in the vicinity of Third Avenue and Ninth Street... an EVG reader has custody of it at the moment ... let us know via email.

Report: Cup & Saucer Luncheonette closing next week on the LES

[Photo from 2011]

The Cup & Saucer Luncheonette, the classic diner on Canal and Eldridge, is closing next week.

The Lo-Down has the scoop:

The reason for the closure is a steep rent increase, to $15,000 per month including real estate taxes. The last day in business will be next Monday, July 17.

The diner first opened in 1940. The current owners took over in 1988.

Developing: Activity at the Tompkins Square Park sinkhole; the Crazy Stallion connection

Thanks you for all the emails, tweets and Instagrams... noting that there is activity at the site of the Tompkins Square Park sinkhole at the Avenue B/Eighth Street entrance. The photos here are by EVG correspondent Steven. Updates to follow, unless nothing else happens.

And for those of you concerned about the status of the trashcan the sinkhole swallowed... it appears to be in good shape... ready to collect trash again after a stint in PT...



Also, we can exclusively reveal what else was inside the sinkhole...



Two empty cans of Crazy Stallion.

Updated





Evening update

Progress?



Thanks to @dens for the photo!

NYPD looking for help in identifying man found in the East River on July 4

[Photo on July 4 by Dave on 7th]

On July 4, a man's body was found in the East River near Sixth Street and the FDR.

Patch reports that authorities still haven't been able to identify the man. The NYPD released a sketch of his face on to try and find clues as to who he is....



Per Patch: "Police say the man is believed to be about 40 years old, and that he was wearing gray sneakers, jeans and a black Casio G-Shock watch at the time of his death."

A moment with Candy the Gem Spa cat this morning

Is that a busted look?





Photos by Derek Berg

Candy is on Facebook too.

Out and About in the East Village

In this ongoing feature, East Village-based photographer James Maher provides us with a quick snapshot of someone who lives and/or works in the East Village or Lower East Side.



By James Maher

Name: Grace Kang
Occupation: Owner, Pink Olive, 9th Street between 1st and A
Photo Location: 8th Street
Date: Wednesday, June 21

I was born in Korea and we emigrated when I was 7 to Las Vegas. We later moved to California, then my father got a job for the City of New York. So we moved to New Jersey when I was in 7th grade. I grew up there and New York was the place where I came to start my adult life.

I was always in retail. I was a buyer for Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York. I was in the fashion space, which was competitive and fast-paced. I always said that if you can survive fashion in New York, you can survive anything.

The East Village has a very special place in my heart since it was [the location of] the first Pink Olive store. The East Village is where I feel like I grew up and found my home when we moved to the city. It was one of those places where I just felt comfortable. The city can be very overwhelming for a lot of people and the East Village is very neighborhoody.

I remember the East Village being a place where I could discover new things, whether it would be new inspirations or ideas. Especially Ninth Street, when it was starting to come into its own. Usually side streets are not the best location for commercial spots, it’s usually all about the avenues, but there was something about Ninth Street that felt like there was something happening. I wanted to be part of that, so when I found the space it was kind of a no-brainer to open my first shop. That was 2007. I just celebrated 10 years. We’re a whimsical gift and lifestyle boutique. We carry an eclectic mix of a lot of creative gifting ideas for little ones to loved ones.

I always thought I would open up a clothing store because that was my background, but looking back, I think I didn’t because that space is not only competitive, which I don’t mind, but it was also a different world back then from where it is now. To be honest, I’m not sure I would have survived that world, because it’s even hard for the big companies, not to mention the little ones. I managed to luck out with the landlords that I ended up meeting. That’s half the battle with any retail business.

There are still some good landlords out there, and when you find one of them, you have to jump on [the opportunity]. I’ve heard the opposite side of that — so many scenarios. I have friends with retail businesses and heard stories of going to court with landlords or getting booted out. It happened on Ninth Street near us. All of those businesses had to leave when Icon bought the building [at 441-445 E. Ninth St.]. It’s sad when that happens. Those were my neighbors, my friends — they really completed that Ninth Street experience.

James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.

Construction watch: Thirteen East + West

Over on 13th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue, two, 6-floor condos called Thirteen East + West are in progress in space that housed single-level garages.

The top photo shows the status of what is the East building (the former No. 442) ... apparently this one received all the attention first from workers. The West (the former No. 436) building remains in the pit stages...





As we pointed out in previous posts, each building has six floor-through homes, all with private outdoor space. Pricing will start at $2.3 million; $3.4 million for the penthouses. The penthouses at each building will have their own private garages and roof decks. And like most East Village apartments, all units will be finished with white oak flooring, oversized windows and black lacquer Lualdi doors from Italy, and kitchens are fitted with Thermador- and Bosch-brand appliances.

Finally, a look at the final product via the rendering on the plywood...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Tracking the coming changes to East 13th Street between Avenue A and 1st Avenue

A look at the new luxury condos coming soon to East 13th Street

Temporary art and future condos on East 13th Street

Demo time for East 13th Street garages that will yield to luxury condos

A look at the residences coming to Thirteen East + West on East 13th Street

Your chance for enjoying Summer Streets and Smellmapping Astor Place coming next month

[4th Avenue on July 1]

Yesterday, the city/Citi announced plans for the annual Summer Streets ... coming up on Aug. 5, Aug. 12 and Aug. 19.

Per the Summer Streets site:

Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City’s most valuable public space—our streets. On three consecutive Saturdays in August, nearly seven miles of NYC's streets are opened for people to play, run, walk and bike. Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation. In 2016, nearly 300,000 people took advantage of the open streets.

Summer Streets is modeled on other events from around the world including Ciclovía in Bogotá, Colombia and the Paris Plage in France and has since inspired other such events around the world such as CicloRecreo Via and London's Regent Street Summer Streets.

Held between 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, Summer Streets extends from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, along Park Avenue and connecting streets, with easy access from all points in New York City, allowing participants to plan a trip as long or short as they wish. All activities at Summer Streets are free of charge, and designed for people of all ages and ability levels to share the streets respectfully.

As in previous years, the car-free, Street-Festival-Free zone includes Lafayette, Astor Place and Fourth Avenue.

There will be several activities at Astor Place:

To explore all of your senses, the Astor Place Rest Stop will for the first time feature The Citi Experience inviting the public to tap into all of their senses with a 360 degree Mt. Everest VR experience and a New York-centric mini golf course.

And!

Smellmapping Astor Place
DOT Art and the Village Alliance have partnered with designer Kate McLean to produce a Smellmap of the Astor Place neighborhood. Three smellwalks were hosted over the past few months with local residents and stakeholders to gather smell data/information. Participants were asked to explore the environment strictly through their sense of smell by smell catching (receiving smell info), smell hunting (searching for smell info) and lastly free smelling (a mini smell research project). Mclean has collected all the smell data and visualized the findings as a colorful smellmap. McLean will be on-site to lead two walks at 9 am and 11 am to continue building on this research and invites participants to incorporate their findings into a large-scale smellmap available on-site.

Take the #smelltour ( not kidding) at #SummerStreets 2017. Yes, dog poop and garbage is in the list #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/tYxVFxAkww

— Juliet Papa (@winsjuliet) July 11, 2017

Head over to the Summer Streets site for more details.