Not sure at the moment when this elm branch may have fallen — late night/early morning.
And this is the latest branch to come down in the park this summer.
Updated 2 p.m.
Here are a few more photos via Steven ...
Monday, August 9, 2021
Large tree branch down in Tompkins Square Park
Former tenants of the fire-destroyed 48 E. 7th St. want to hear from landlord Faith Popcorn
During a rally in late July across from the former building on the southeast corner of Seventh Street and Second Avenue, the residents, as well as local elected officials and housing advocates, said that they haven't received any answers from Popcorn (aka Faith Plotkin) on finding new low-income housing in the neighborhood.
"This building was our home. Three generations of our family grew up at 48 E. Seventh St. and have helped build this community," said Cathy Barna. "Now we are really struggling to find affordable housing in this neighborhood."
The misery for the tenants started in February 2020 when a fire displaced the building's residents. No. 48, which included retail tenants Via Della Pace and Cafe Mocha and eight apartments, was under renovation this past fall and was vacant at the time of the December fire, which also destroyed the Middle Collegiate Church next door.
Before the December fire, the displaced tenants were hoping to be back in the building this fall, according to the Cooper Square Committee, which organized the late-July rally with TakeRoot Justice.
There were approved work permits dated from last Oct. 29 on file with the DOB. According to the permits: "Repairs due to fire; interior non-structural demolition, removal of damaged floor and roof framing, replace damaged floor and wall joists, reconstruct floor and roof joists, reconstruct roof joists, reconstruct roof bulkhead, repair interior stairs ... install new windows, installation of new roof."
The FDNY previously said that faulty electrical wiring was to blame for both fires. Workers demolished the building on Dec. 7.
Now, 17 months out of their homes, the tenants said they want to "open lines of communication and to move forward stalled negotiations."
The Cooper Square Committee stated that many of the tenants are senior citizens who had lived in the building for 60 or more years. Other tenants raised their families here, and all of them have deep roots in the community. (There were four rent-regulated units left in the building — three rent-controlled and one rent-stabilized). Tenants — or their family members — from three of the units spoke at the rally.)
"On top of COVID and dealing with personal health issues, the last thing we thought is that we would lose our home of 60 years," said resident Oksana Lopatynsky.
"All my friends are here in NYC," said Donna Czechowycz. "I'm living in an area where I don't know anyone. It's difficult for someone in their 80s to start over again."
Elected officials also called on the landlord to provide answers to the tenants.
Said Rivera: "I stand with Cooper Square Committee and the tenants of 48 E. Seventh St. to say enough is enough, and that their landlord Faith Plotkin must stop hiding and come to the table with real answers about the future of their homes. These tenants have been struggling for over a year ... They've been waiting, amidst COVID-19, in flux ... and even basic questions about the building itself remain unanswered. They don't deserve this, and we won't rest until they receive the housing justice they deserve."TY to @CooperSq for welcoming me to rally today with the displaced tenants of 48 E 7th Street in demanding accountability from their landlord.
— Carlina Rivera 利華娜 (@CarlinaRivera) July 28, 2021
We need Albany to pass stronger housing rights legislation for all NYers. I'll stand with tenants - my neighbors - until it's done. pic.twitter.com/jLagri1wuA
Popcorn, whose Facebook page lists that she was born in the East Village, reportedly owns several other buildings in the neighborhood.
According to public records, No. 48 has been in the Plotkin family for generations. Her sister, the late Mechele Flaum, was also an owner. The first entry for the building in property records is from 1969, where Plotkin's parents — the former Clara Storper and George Plotkin — took over the building from Rose Storper.
Popcorn is a futurist, author and founder and CEO of the consulting firm BrainReserve. Popcorn's office did not respond to an EVG query for comment. She also did not respond to calls from amNY and The Village Sun, who also reported on the rally and displaced tenants.
"In the darkest days of the pandemic, these community members were also dealing with the destruction of their homes by fire. They had to live through the trauma of not one but two fires," Brandon Kielbasa, director of organizing and policy at Cooper Square Committee, said in a statement. "Now, as these folks attempt to regain a footing, communication from their landlord has become inconsistent and negotiations have stalled."
Photos courtesy of the Cooper Square Committee
Advocacy group: Mayor 'overrules' comptroller on East River Park reconstruction contract
According to East River Park Action in an Instagram post from Friday, the Mayor "overruled" Comptroller Scott Stringer's office and asked that he register the low bidder's contract for the massive floodproofing project.
Last month, the $1.2 billion contract from IPC Resiliency Partners was waiting for approval at Stringer's office.
Stringer subsequently sent the contract back to the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) for more information, including "how the project's lead contractors plan to meet the legal standard that minority/women-owned business enterprises receive 30 percent of the work," as The Indypendent reported.
Per a Stringer spokesperson: "Since we were unable to resolve all of our questions within the 30-day review period, our office has returned the contract to DDC to allow them additional time to address the outstanding issues."
Stringer apparently did not indicate that he opposed the reconstruction plan.
Now the Mayor is "pushing through the City's contract with the unqualified company," per East River Park Action.
Every day this week at noon, the activist group will protest the plan outside the gates of City Hall...
Eileen Myles, the East Village-based poet and novelist who has spoken out against the plan, called out mainstream media outlets for not covering this story.
From a weekend Instagram post that was widely shared on the platform, including by Kim Gordon...
Opponents of the city's current plan — where workers will raze the 57.5-acre plot of land, bulldozing 1,000 mature trees and rebuilding the park atop eight feet of landfill — say there are better ways to preserve the park and provide flood protection, such as the one mapped out in the years after Sandy.
In late 2018, the city surprised community stakeholders by announcing a complete overhaul of a plan discussed over four years of local meetings.
In October 2019, the city announced that they would phase in the construction, so only portions of the park are closed to the public at any given time.
According to various reports, the city has committed to leaving a minimum of 42 percent of East River Park open to the public. It is projected to be completed in 2025, a timetable opponents say will never be met.
New 2nd Avenue sushi restaurant unveils attempt at humor
Among the various signs now on the storefront: "Tell your sugar daddy Nobu's out. Moko's in."
The same flyer is posted around the neighborhood...
Nobu, of course, is the global chain of high-end Japanese restaurants that got its start in Tribeca in 1994.
Moko's playfulness extends to the menu, where the pricing includes the "starter Omakase" ($65), "worth it Omakase" ($85) and "definitely worth it omakase" ($120).
No word on an opening date just yet.
Thanks to Steven for the photos!
75 Degrees Cafe & Bakery slated for this 7th Street storefront
75 Degrees Cafe & Bakery is opening in the weeks ahead at 93 1/2 E. Seventh St. just east of First Avenue.
This will be the first storefront for the business specializing in Asian desserts, created by "a group of friends who have always liked to eat, drink and create amazing food together," per the 75 Degrees website.
The cafe's Instagram account has details (and photos!) of some of the featured desserts, including matcha tiramisu and chocolate brownie chiffon cake.
This retail space has been vacant since a fire shuttered Caracas Arepa Bar in September 2016.
New boutique office building on East Houston shows off some glass
This is the first sign of the floor-to-ceiling glass wall for the 9-story office building at 141 E. Houston St. ... as the construction netting has dropped a bit here between Eldridge and Forsyth.
Completion of the 65,000-square-foot space is slated for the fourth quarter of 2021, per the 141 website.
Our previous post (here!) on No. 141 has more details about what's been happening here to date at the site of the former Sunshine Cinema (RIP January 2018).
Updated 8/13
An August break for Baker's Pizza
Reader report: Pete's Tavern looking closer to reopening
Updated 8/10: Pete's reopens today at 4 p.m.
In the past two weeks, help-wanted signs for wait and kitchen staff have arrived on the restaurant's front door here on Irving Place and 18th Street.
In addition, three smallish curbside dining spaces were erected this past week...
The circa-1864 Pete's Tavern has not been open since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. There was some talk last fall among neighbors that Pete's was going to reopen. (And given the ample space for Pete's sidewalk cafe, regulars, including the EVG correspondent, were surprised that they didn't restart the dining service much earlier.)
According to one published report, an employee died from COVID-19 in the spring of 2020 and three others tested positive.
So far, Pete's has not posted a reopening date on its website or social media properties.
Sunday, August 8, 2021
Broken stage rail derails show at Webster Hall
The plug was pulled during the first act of a late dubstep show last night at the venue on 11th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.WE ARE BACK! so stoked for this Saturday night with @maraudamusic, @calciumdubs and @guppisound 🔥🔥🔥 don’t miss this! >> https://t.co/0SW0LpjNTU pic.twitter.com/ph4NZbwkRM
— Webster Hall (@WebsterHall) August 3, 2021
There were several errant reports of a "stage collapse" before word circulated that a stage rail broke during Chicago-based dubstep artist Guppi's set...
Webster Hall officials then announced that the show would not continue, and scheduled acts Calcium and the headliner, Sydney, Australia-based Marauda, making his NYC debut, never got to play.Hey Webster Hall just shut down within the first 15 mins of my set. Yes I broke the rail. It’s broken
— Guppi (@guppisound) August 8, 2021
Here's the moment those in attendance learned that the show wasn't going on...what the fuck....
— MARAUDA (@maraudamusic) August 8, 2021
While videos from Citizen show emergency personnel at the scene, there weren't any reports of injuries. CBS 2 pieced together a report from the Citizen clips (and they incorrectly stated that the venue is in Midtown). The NYPD was on the scene to help with crowd control.@WebsterHall WHAT THE FUCK DUDE U REALLY GONNA CANCEL THE @maraudamusic SHOW pic.twitter.com/a80vYpsRy7
— Scvno (@Scvnoo) August 8, 2021
Webster Hall has not yet released a statement about what happened.
Meanwhile, fans who made the trip are understandably pissed and are asking about refunds.
@maraudamusic @axs @WebsterHall so like are we getting refunds for last night's cancelled show? I didn't even get to go inside...
— тrιcια (@plurxwarrior) August 8, 2021
@WebsterHall any insight on what happened tonight for the @maraudamusic show tonight? feel like we all deserve a refund after this disaster
— lost lands hype man (@fastonfour) August 8, 2021
Hour and a half drive both ways, so much in tolls, paid more to park than what my ticket even cost. All that for Webster Hall to screw me and tell me to go home https://t.co/4e0KnFR4y3
— Mike Rosivack (@mikerosi97) August 8, 2021
Week in Grieview
• First sign of the B Bar & Grill-replacing 21-story office building on the Bowery (Monday)
• Construction hell is consuming the intersection of 1st Avenue at 7th Street (Tuesday)
• About Hi Noona, serving up unique Korean-influenced juices and smoothies on 12th Street (Wednesday)
• La Plaza Cultural debuts two free lending libraries (Tuesday)
• The two-story dining structure that almost was on 4th Street (Monday)
• Indoor masking recommend for vaccinated New Yorkers; local businesses change entry policies (Tuesday)
• I Am a Rent-Stabilized Tenant (Thursday)
• Ravi DeRossi is doubling down on Ladybird and Cadence on 7th Street (Thursday)
• A stop by the newly reopened Pyramid Club on Avenue A (Friday)
• A farewell, for now, as Pinc Louds hit the road (Tuesday)
• Late night with Hello Mary (Thursday)
• Gutting the former Food Emporium on Union Square (Wednesday)
• Wegmans makes it sign official on Astor Place, plus other thoughts on the grocer's arrival (Monday)
• Here's what's coming to the former Brindle Room space on 10th Street (Wednesday)
• Mug & Cup bringing coffee and juice to Avenue C (Wednesday)
• Art+Ray debuts salon and gallery space on 9th Street (Friday)
• Bagel Boss opens on 14th Street (Monday)
• Gorillas will be in the mix at this 14th Street retail space (Monday)
• Lucky Star signage arrives on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)
• New signage day for the NW corner of 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)
And thanks to Lola Sáenz (and a few other folks!) who pointed out this towering sunflower on the SW corner of 11th Street and First Avenue...
Drawing lines ahead of the new Avenue C bike lanes
Dave on 7th shared the top photo from between Ninth Street and 10th Street. He notes that on this stretch, there are also new "No Standing" signs installed.
The new bike lanes will eliminate some free, non-metered street parking, which was the focus of a story this morning on NY1. Local Uber driver Myen Uddin told the station that he is concerned about being able to find a place to park.
"I already earn so less," Uddin said. "How can I afford a garage? $400 a month. No one can afford that!"
And...
... with outdoor dining structures and Citi Bike stations already replacing what used to be non-metered parking spaces near Avenue C and East 9th Streets, concerned residents like Uddin believe if the free parking spaces go away, he'll soon have to move outside the city."It's too much challenge for me for me right now," said Uddin. "I gotta leave the city. Go somewhere else."
NY1 also spoke with a local resident, Thomas Grenier, who welcomed the changes.
"The city is historically centered and organized around cars, so anything that will make the city more friendly to renewable energy and bicyclists is a good thing," Grenier said.
Meanwhile, other markings along the avenue show the buffer zones that will protect cyclists from cars and trucks.
As previously reported, DOT flyers along Avenue C provide details of the coming changes...
• Curbside bike lanes between Houston and Fourth Street
• Parking-protected, bollard-protected and curbside bike lanes between Fourth Street and 18th Street
• Updated parking regulations to provide truck loading zones
• Neighborhood loading zones on select side streets
• Painted pedestrian islands between 11th Street and 15th Street
• New left-turn bays at 10th Street and 14th Street
You can find many more details in the presentation that DOT officials made to CB3 back in April. (PDF here)
As reported last fall, the DOT is adding the protected north/south bike lanes on Avenue C and East Houston Street to help offset the upcoming closure of the East River Park greenway.
Saturday, August 7, 2021
The 33rd annual Tompkins Square Riot reunion shows are happening this weekend
Here are the lineups for the afternoon shows (set to start at 2 and end at 6):
Saturday:
• Johnny KT
• Val Kinzler
• Les Bicyclettes Blanches
• Skitzopolis
• Jezo Black + The Element
• Sea Monster
• SEWAGE
Sunday:
• Dutch Gutz
• Ruckus Interruptus
• The Idolizers
• The NIHILISTICS
• Hot Knives
• Drogato
There will also be a number of guest speakers on both days.
The organizers – The Shadow — had their previously approved permits revoked by the Parks Department after the April 24 show. A lawyer for the organizers had been negotiating the return of the permits.
Updated 8/9:
Find some pics from the shows here.
Friday, August 6, 2021
A 'Night' like this
"End Of The Night" is the first single off the recently released EP by Brooklyn veterans A Place to Bury Strangers... which is also the first release on their own newly formed label, Dedstrange.
And, FYI, today is Bandcamp Friday — where the music platform waives its revenue share for the day.
Summer Streets returns to the streets this summer
The annual Summer Streets celebration returns on the first two Saturdays of the month (August! Tomorrow!) in which nearly seven miles of NYC roadways are closed to vehicles for people to run, walk, bike, etc.
As in previous years, this car-free zone includes Lafayette, Astor Place and Fourth Avenue.
This is the 13th edition of the event, which was on hiatus last August amid the pandemic.
You can find more details about Summer Streets at this link, including what kind of activities to expect along the route. There are several things planned for Astor Place, including fitness classes.
Nexus Flea returns to flea-market action tomorrow on 1st and 1st
A stop by the newly reopened Pyramid Club on Avenue A
The next iteration of the Pyramid Club reopened last Saturday evening at 101 Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.
There were rumors of a return early last week... before the arrival of a flyer for a "House of Dance" party with DJ Force 1.
A quick recap of what has happened here. The iconic East Village venue shuttered its doors this past spring after 41 years in business. The club had been closed since March 7, 2020, at the onset of the pandemic.
Manager Maria Narciso and her fiancé, longtime general manager and house DJ TM.8 (aka Quirino Perez), learned of the permanent closure and subsequent layoff via a text message from ownership in late March.
Apparently, there was a change in plans. (Earlier this year, 101 Avenue A was listed on Loopnet for rent as a retail space. That listing, first posted on March 6, was subsequently removed.)
This past Saturday evening, EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the Pyramid. Given the short notice about a reopening, the space — currently confined to the main level — was fairly empty at 11:15 p.m.
As we understand it, the daughter of the longtime club owners, who are also the building's landlord, will be running the show. She's joined by a few familiar faces who previously worked at the venue. For now, the Pyramid will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. as they look to build up a following.
Here's a look around reopening night ...
... Beary White, a former longtime Pyramid regular who travels with his own disco ball, stopped by ... (he would later turn up at Drom for Temptation Saturday)...
Stacie then stopped by Drom down the block where Narciso and DJ TM.8 have been hosting their 80s dance party, Temptation Saturday, one of the former theme nights at the Pyramid...
We cherish the times spent managing the venue ... We wish everyone who is involved with reopening well, much success. We want to remind everyone that they have every right to do as they wish with their business, and ask that their wishes be respected.Another former theme night at the Pyramid, DJ TM.8's Dark 80s Dance Party (dark wave, synthpop and post-punk!) starts at the Parkside Lounge next Thursday night after a stint at Eris in Williamsburg. And on Aug. 28, Defcon NYC Industrial returns for a one-night stand at Parkside Lounge.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Art+Ray debuts salon and gallery space on 9th Street
East Village resident Ang-Ray recently opened Art+Ray, a hair salon and art gallery combo at 305 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (He previously ran a similar business in Chelsea.)
Moving forward, he plans to host small events here and show his own art along with other locals. (The current exhibit includes several pieces by Jason McGroarty, co-owner of The March Hare on the block.)
There's an open house with an art show and live music on the first Friday evening of every month. So you can check out Art+Ray tonight from 7-10 (and on Instagram here).
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Thursday's parting shot
Late night with Hello Mary
EVG contributor Stacie Joy was at the show and shared these photos of the trio —guitarist Helena Straight, bassist Mikaela Oppenheimer and drummer Stella Branstool ...
With a new single ready to drop, Hello Mary is playing at Elsewhere in Brooklyn next Wednesday night (info here). In early September, they're making their first West Coast trip, with a multiple-city swing that includes Los Angeles (Sept. 9) and San Diego (Sept. 11).
Previously on EV Grieve:
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