Friday, December 10, 2021
Report: City continues cutting down trees in East River Park despite Temporary Restraining Order
According to East River Park Action, who has been opposed to the city's current plan for the park, the TRO remains in effect at least until the next hearing on Dec. 20.
However, despite the TRO, activists at the construction site just south of Houston Street report that city-contracted workers continue to cut down trees today. (There are also reports from people at the scene that police have arrested several of the activists.)
Top photo by @jeremoss
A rally for Casa Adela
As previously reported, the building's landlord — a Housing Development Fund Corporation — is looking to increase the rent from $1,350 to, eventually, $6,750, a number that the current owner Luis Rivera, the son of founder Adela Fargas, says is not feasible.
Rent negotiations are underway, though the two sides haven't reached an agreement, said Frank Gonzalez of Loisaida Realty, who helped organize the Save Casa Adela Committee.
Adela Fargas started serving her Puerto Rican cuisine here in 1976. She died in January 2018 at age 81.
Image via @loisaidarealty
Thursday, December 9, 2021
A visit to the new East Side Ink on the Lower East Side
Text and photos by Stacie Joy
The shop recently moved to a spacious yet cozy second-floor loft at 88 Rivington St. between Orchard and Ludlow. 
I dropped by to talk with owners Jen Terban-Hertell and Josh Lord (the third partner, “shop mom” Yadira Mendez-Firvida, was off at the time of my visit) about the move, their new location and the shop’s history in the neighborhood. Josh was busy inking, so Jen answered my questions.
Why did you leave Avenue B for Rivington Street?
Everybody knows the pandemic year was a struggle for most businesses. We were sad to see so many closed.
However, because of our amazing artists and clients, we survived. We learned a lot about what our clients and artists want for the future of tattooing. So, we created a space that was private and warm yet open and inviting. We were all separated for so long that we just wanted to be together again. Safely. We wanted a studio that worked better for the artists and their needs. A studio that supports the artistic growth and privacy of our clients. We wanted a studio that was for us, our little artist family.
You mentioned this is your fifth location (since inception) in the neighborhood. Why is the East Village/Lower East Side area vital to you?
Well, besides being respectful of our original name…the East Village/Lower East Side has nurtured art, diversity and culture. Growing up in NYC, I remember being genuinely inspired by the scene in the East Village and Lower East Side. The art, music and fashion you could find on most blocks in the East Village were like nowhere else in the world. East Side Ink has been a part of that culture since the 1990s.
Even if the rents get high and the landlords don’t respect the neighborhood’s culture, it will always be our home, and we will prevail.
Were all your artists able to make the move with you to the Rivington Street shop?
Yes! And both the artists and clients have expressed how happy they are in the new studio, and they even say they like it better. It was difficult to physically and mentally move, so we couldn’t be happier with everyone’s reaction and support. It was important that the artists feel at home at the shop. We considered every detail to make a space our artists would be inspired to create in. We want to support them as best we can to give each client and tattoo the attention it deserves.
How is the new space different from previous ones, and has the clientele changed?
Our clientele has always been diverse, from Oscar-winning celebrities to locals on the block. Unlike our previous locations, our new studio provides a sense of inclusion and warmth. A professional coziness. I could describe the artwork and the wood floors and the lighting, but really, it’s a vibe.
What can we expect from East Side Ink going forward?
You can expect us to grow old! We are not going anywhere. We have always been ahead of our time in the tattoo industry, leading the way with how a shop looks and feels. We are a close-knit little artist family. We’ve been through 9/11, hurricanes, flooding, blackouts and pandemic. We prevailed!
Over the last few years, we’ve grown, we’ve gotten married, we had babies, we’ve broken up, moved on, and moved up! You can expect to see us for a long time. Come visit: bring your dogs and your kids. We have made it this far because we have always had the support of our artists, clients and neighbors.
Here are the proposed locations for new Citi Bike docking stations in the East Village
That presentation is online now right here. (The DOT is making presentations to other Community Boards this month, and find all that via this link.)
According to the presentation, "demand shows 1,804 docks [are] still
needed in CB3." For now, though, the proposal calls for an installation of 683 docks ... with more capacity coming by extending existing
stations.
The maps below (click on the images for more detail) show where the infill is slated. The green dots are extensions at existing stations (the only EV extension on the map is at 13th Street and Avenue A) ... while the red circles denote new stations (11 in total, with an "equipment swap" on 10th Street between A and B) ...
A study by the DOT and Citi Bike found that the ride-sharing service was falling behind in keeping up with the cycling demand of New Yorkers.
As Streetsblog reported on Nov. 2:
Citi Bike announced that it needs the DOT to provide it with sites for an immediate Lyft-funded infusion of docks and bikes because the system is under "added stress [in] its original service area, which serves a disproportionate number of the total rides."In other words, too many people are either showing up at docks that are empty or trying to return bikes to full racks. Even as it is breaking its own records, Citi Bike estimates that it lost 4 million rides in 2021 because customers are getting frustrated. The company cited the ridership increases as well as "unpredictable commuting patterns as a result of the pandemic."An unbalanced system results in riders finding empty or full docks during periods of peak demand," a problem that cannot be totally mitigated through rebalancing or Bike Angels, the company said.
Stories of Citi Bikers wandering around for 30 minutes looking for an open dock — or just a bike — in the evening have become common in recent months. (East Village resident and cycling advocate Sophie Maerowitz wrote an op-ed on the topic for amNY on Nov. 15.)
The Times checked in with an article on the topic as well the other day, reporting that through Nov. 17, Citi Bike had recorded 25.2 million rides in 2021, 4 million more than in all of 2019. (Citi Bike debuted here in 2013.)
But!
[A]s the city has sought to accommodate the surge in both bike-share use and overall cycling by adding hundreds of miles of bike lanes, it has provoked a backlash from drivers and some elected officials who complain that parking and driving are now more difficult.
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Wednesday's parting shots
Noted
Pic by Derek Berg.
Judge issues new Temporary Restraining Order to stop work in East River Park
According to East River Park Action, who has been opposed to the city's current plan for the park, the TRO remains in effect at least until the next hearing on Dec. 20.
Arthur Schwartz, an attorney for the activists, told the Post: "We will be asking for all fences to come down and for the bike path and park south of Houston Street to be reopened [as soon as possible.]" (NY1 has more here.)
This is the second TRO advocates have been granted since the start of the demolition work on Nov. 1. (Last week, the Appellate Division lifted the TRO that had been in place starting on Nov. 2.)
As previously reported, the community lawsuit is challenging the project because it still needs an "alienation" vote by the state Legislature.
On Monday, workers fenced off East River Park south of Stanton Street. An estimated 13 trees were removed yesterday, witnesses said.
East River Park Action and other activists have said some alternatives could preserve much of the park and protect the Lower East Side and surrounding neighborhoods from a 100-year-flood event and sea-level rise — one that doesn't cause 1,000 mature trees to be chopped down.
In late 2018, the city surprised community stakeholders by announcing a complete overhaul of a plan discussed over four years of local meetings. As Gothamist reported: "City officials cited fears about maintaining a floodable green space, as well the disruption to motorists on the F.D.R. Drive and potential dangers to Con Ed's power lines under the previous proposal."
The current plans call for gutting East River Park — burying the existing 57.5-acre park under fill and elevating it by 8-to-10 feet above sea level.
Meanwhile, still pending: A nonprofit sued the city for allegedly not including enough minority- and women-owned businesses in the construction contract for the ESCR.
A third lawsuit (dating to the spring) was brought against the city by The Tully Group, a large contractor that issued one of the two bids for the ESCR.
Photo yesterday by Allie Ryan
[UPDATED] Details on the Community Holiday Feast in Tompkins Square Park this Dec. 18
Updated: With the threat of rain on Dec. 18, the Feast will now take place on Dec. 19. Same time and place.
From 2-4 p.m., volunteers will be serving free hot meals provided by East Village businesses and residents.
Organizers are currently looking for volunteers and welcome additional food and other donations. Interested residents and merchants can use this email to contact the group.
The following businesses have volunteered food and other products for the event: the Bean, C&B Cafe, East Village Vintage Collective, Food for Life, Mary O's, Rossy's Bakery & Café, San Loco, S'MAC and Subject NYC. The local volunteer group East Village Loves NYC will also donate.
Meanwhile, individual donors include Chris Flash, Scooter La Forge, Marjorie Ingall and Jonathan Steuer.
In case of rain or, lordy, snow, the event will occur on Dec. 19.
Long & Short Barber Co. cuts out of 250 E. Houston St.
EVG regular Salim shared the photos here ... including one of a goodbye note for patrons... Long & Short will continue with its shop in Brooklyn and the new location at Columbus Circle...
This is just the latest retail change along this strip, though this one may not have anything to do with the future development on this block.
Businesses in the storefronts just to the east of this — in the unrenovated portion — have all vacated, a list that includes Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins, Subway (sandwich shop) and China Town. Workers boarded up the unrenovated section last month ahead of its demolition for an unspecified new development.
You can read our previous posts (all 34,567) on the topic right here.
BikeFix NYC relocates to a larger storefront on 6th Street
They relocated here from the small storefront at 150 E. Second Street just east of Avenue A... (and at 56 Avenue C before this).
Bike Fix has posted hours of 12:30-6:30 p.m. You can check out their website for products and services.
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Tuesday's parting shot
This small grove of cherry trees was the first to go.
Photo via @1000people1000trees. (Follow that account and @eastriverparkaction for ongoing updates throughout the day from East River Park.)
In total, the city plans to cut down 1,000 trees during the five-plus year rebuild of the park.
The pandemic in the East Village as seen through the eyes of Billy the Artist
Photo by Stacie Joy
Billy the Artist has unveiled his latest book — "East Village Closed."
The book, a year in the making, is "a photo illustrative experience of life in the East Village during the pandemic," as seen through the eyes of the longtime neighborhood resident.
This past Saturday, he signed copies at one of his favorite local haunts — the International on First Avenue.
You can read more about the 86-page book as well as find ordering info via this link.
SantaCon announces 2021 route; East Village in the crosshairs once again
Yesterday, SantaCon organizers unveiled the 2021 route, which starts at 10 a.m. at 40th and Broadway. Per the SantaCon website: "We will be dancing in the streets and will unleash a holiday celebration NYC has never imagined possible!"
A $13 donation gets your Santa Badge and access to participating bars, mainly in Midtown West and East. Six of the bars are in the East Village: The Grayson, 16 First Ave., Amsterdam Billiards & Bar, 110 E. 11th St., Doc Holliday's, 141 Avenue A, Horseshoe Bar/7B, 108 Avenue B, the Phoenix, 447 E. 13th St., and Solas, 232 E. Ninth St.
However, as we've seen in previous Cons, bars not on the official list are often all too happy to participate, including the 13th Step. (The SantaCon website states that participants must have proof of COVID vaccination.)
Meanwhile, ahead of the 2021 bar list, someone launched a Cancel SantaCon petition...
Per the petition:
SantaCon is the worst day of the year in New York City. Each year thousands of belligerent drunk people in Santa costumes flood New York City streets, leaving behind a trail of fistfights, vomit, urine and garbage. John Oliver did a segment on the event which highlighted the faux-charitable nature of the pub crawl. He stated that each SantaCon participant only raises $1.66 for charity, which is hardly enough to excuse the violent and inappropriate behavior. The evidence is crystal clear: Santacon does more bad than good.This year New York City residents have had enough! We are calling for Mayor Bill de Blasio to show leadership and order the cancelation of Santacon. We believe that this is an issue that unites New Yorkers of all races, religions, and political beliefs.Please sign this petition so we can end SantaCon in New York City once and for all.
You can find the petition here.
And the petition garnered some support via Twitter...
Oh, and here's the John Oliver segment from December 2019 mentioned in the petition ...Dare I say that I’m aligned? https://t.co/u7cybp4GDL pic.twitter.com/x9Twdjp67x
— Gossip Girl (@gossipgirl) December 5, 2021
Original Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches closes in 2nd Avenue A location this year
The shutter comes nearly seven months after the quick-serve restaurant moved into the space from the SW corner of Avenue A and 13th Street. We didn't hear any reasons for the departure, or whether Nicky's might turn up in another storefront sometime soon.
Nicky's, related to the one that had been on Second Street several years earlier, opened on Avenue A in March 2019.
Thank you to the readers who mentioned this!
Sinkhole claims tree on 6th Street
Several EVG readers have noted this latest development here in recent days...
It's not known if, perhaps, workers removed the tree ahead of repair work ... or someone else decided to cut it down.
As we've noted four times previously: The sinkhole formed during the drenching rains from Tropical Storm Ida on Sept. 1.
Since then, a makeshift barrier including parts of Awash's outdoor dining space and other found objects have been guarding/blocking the sidewalk. Pedestrians must walk on Sixth Street on the south side of the street to bypass the sinkhole.
Several residents have told us that they have contacted 311, Community Board 3, Councilmember Carlina Rivera's office, the DOT, the 9th Precinct, etc., to report the sinkhole — and the swastikas someone added to the barrier a few weeks back.
CR7 Gourmet Deli opens on 1st Avenue
The 24/7 deli offers a variety of fresh-made sandwiches, salads, smoothies and juices... as well as your usual corner market fare.
CR7 takes over the space from Spiegel, the European-style cafe that closed in the summer of 2020 and was rumored to be returning here.
As previously noted, this is now a competitive corner with Food You Desire 3, the Deli & Smoke Shop and another new arrival — the Manhattan Smoke Shop a few steps away on Second Street ...
Monday, December 6, 2021
Monday's parting shot
Flashback to last year's mural here.
A fundraiser under the stars for La Plaza Cultural on Thursday evening
Per the invite:
We are raising money to install solar panels to power the garden and take us off-grid. The pavilion will also serve as a four-season classroom offering workshops for the community.The event, from 7-9 p.m., will feature fresh-made Neapolitan pizza, seasonal drink offerings and s'mores from the Wayland, hot chocolate, tarot card readings, live music by Eric Hoffman and Ken Hatfield, and a raffle.
You can find ticket info at this link.
Rent hike threatens Avenue C mainstay Casa Adela
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
The future of Casa Adela at 66 Avenue C is potentially in jeopardy with a rent hike the owner says is not feasible.
Friends and supporters of the restaurant that has served authentic Puerto Rican cuisine here between Fourth Street and Fifth Street since 1976 sounded the alarm last week, reaching out to media outlets and local elected officials.
Nicholas Heller, aka @NewYorkNico, reported this:
For now, there is hope a deal can be worked out between owner Luis Rivera and HDFC reps.
The old lease expired a few years ago. Under it, they were paying $1350 per month for the 715 sq ft space. They offered their landlord, a limited equity HDFC cooperative, that they would start to pay $3000 per month, plus 3% increases for each year for 10 years. The landlord refused the offer: their bottom line is $4000 in year one (backdated to august) and $6,750 starting in year two of the lease, and 3% increases after that, which is a 480%+ increase in rent and sure to force the business to close.On Thursday, community members met at the restaurant and created a Save Casa Adela Committee.
According to Frank Gonzalez of Loisaida Realty, who helped organize the Save Casa Adela Committee, the two sides will meet today. [UPDATE: The meeting is now at 6 p.m. on 12/8]
"[We] hope they can work out a fair deal for our beloved Casa Adela," he said. "As of right now, we are praying for the best but preparing for the worst."
They previously scheduled a press conference at the restaurant for tomorrow and a rally on Saturday morning. Gonzalez said that depending on what happens today, they'll move forward with both events.
Adela Fargas started her namesake business here in 1976.
Before opening Casa Adela at 66 Avenue C, she ran a luncheonette one block to the south. It was there, as a feature in The New York Times from 2015 points out, that she perfected the seasoning for her famed rotisserie chicken.
She died in January 2018 at age 81.
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