[Updated] NYPD release wanted poster in connection with Avenue A homicide

Updated 12/26

Police have arrested Roland Codrington (see below). He is accused of two murders — on Avenue A and a doctor Friday in Marcus Garvey Park. In both deadly assaults, the victims were killed with a knife. And in both deaths, the suspect did not previously have any interaction with the victims.

More details to follow.

-----

The NYPD is searching for a suspect in connection with the early-morning homicide Monday outside 214 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. 

Police have placed reward posters near the crime scene. The poster states the 9th Precinct "is attempting to identify and apprehend this individual." (Thanks to the reader for the photo.)

According to published reports and police sources, 51-year-old James Cunningham was found on the sidewalk with lacerations on his neck just before 1. a.m. He reportedly had a glass of seltzer at Spike's, 218 Avenue A, where he was a regular, per the Daily News, and was attacked after leaving. Police and media reports say that the suspect jumped Cunningham during a confrontation. Police have not yet revealed a motive in the deadly attack.

Sources told the Post that "Cunningham himself was just arrested 10 days ago and charged with menacing with a knife." 

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential. 

WANTED for Homicide in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/mwvePZlmQR

— NYPD 121st Precinct (@NYPD121Pct) December 24, 2022

Updated 12/25 

Sources say the suspect, identified as Roland Codrington, is also wanted for an attack at an East Harlem bar on Thursday night.

The following individual has been identified as Roland Codrington. If you have any information on his whereabouts contact @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. https://t.co/7UPzMAj5eA

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 24, 2022

Updated 12/26

Here's the press conference announcing the arrest of Codrington.

Watch as Police Commissioner Sewell and NYPD executives provide an update on an ongoing police investigation. https://t.co/izdFygSP6O

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 26, 2022

A Punk Magazine-Iggy Pop holiday 'Loser' extravaganza at Metropolis

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Iggy Pop recently announced that he has a new record, Every Loser, (his 19th studio album) coming out next month. 

As part of this release, there's also a new edition of Punk Magazine (No. 22 for those of you keeping track) — 47 years after the very first issue. This edition is available along with the record via Iggy's website. 

Ahead of this release, East Village resident John Holmstrom (above), the co-founder, editor and illustrator of Punk Magazine, provided a sneak preview of the edition on Saturday night at Metropolis Vintage on Broadway and 11th Street.

The party included some Punk fans and contributors, such as illustrator Bruce Carleton and East Village-based photographer Godlis...

In a recent newsletter, Holmstrom provided the back story on how this Every Loser issue of Punk came together. 

It started with a text this past July from the record's producer, Andrew Watt, who is a Punk fan (especially Mutant Monster Beach Party in issue No. 15). 

This guy, Andrew Watt, said he wanted me to devote an entirely new issue of Punk to Iggy's new album. He wanted it to be an authentic Punk magazine, with the whole scraggly, hand-lettered mess of photos and comic strips we usually came up with. 

"What was your last issue number?" he once asked.

"Twenty-one," I replied. (Our CBGB Tribute!) 

"Then this will be Punk magazine Number Twenty-two," Andrew said. (And to be honest? He stuck to this promise all the way through. This is an authentic Punk Magazine. I enjoyed complete creative control throughout.) An entire issue devoted to Iggy Pop… Great idea, right? How could I say "No!"? So I agreed to do it. What could go wrong? 

And... 

Andrew told me how he was sure I would like the new Iggy LP. I have to admit I was skeptical at first. You know: "That’s what they all say." A few weeks later, he sent me the tracks, and I was blown away. "Best Iggy Pop solo LP!" I gladly told him. By now, I would have killed an army of Nazi Disco Zombies to produce this new issue of Punk Magazine that details Iggy's amazing career and highlights his amazing new album! 

To me, Iggy was the first "Punk." He started it all, the most important person in the history of punk rock, best musician, most influential, etc. Once I heard this amazing new Iggy LP I started putting ideas together and researching everything about Iggy I could find on the Internet. I have to admit I hadn't kept up with all of the intimate details of Iggy's career since the 1970s, but he was always there. I always noticed that he was up to this or that. 

There's a lot about Iggy Pop on the internet, but most of it refers to The Stooges and Iggy's drug years before he cleaned up his act in the early 1980s. Well, yeah, these are all interesting stories, but mostly old and retold many times over. 

So rather than tell the same old dismal stories about "The Depths of Drug Addiction" or track down the many photos where he cut himself on stage, I decided to focus on Iggy's amazing creative career and his work: a bunch of great studios LPs, lots of quotable Iggy quotes, a massive number of film roles, (too many music videos to list), etc. So I got started on putting together the magazine.

This issue of Punk can only be purchased through the official Iggy Pop website. 

You can subscribe to Holmstrom's newsletter here. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Q-and-A with John Holmstrom, founding editor of Punk Magazine

• A visit to Metropolis Vintage on Broadway

• Go on a tour of Iggy Pop's East Village in 1993

No new trees for these 2 East Village spots

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

On Dec. 1, the city dug up spaces on multiple East Village sidewalks to plant new trees.

Days later, however, we were surprised to see that the newly created tree wells in front of 40 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street and 26 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street were filled in ...

We tracked down a city official who told us the following: "The trees can't go in by 40 Avenue B and 26 Avenue A because the buildings have basements under the sidewalks that Parks found when they excavated. [That is likely] true of the others, though without specific addresses cannot confirm."

Meanwhile, you can follow this link to request a street tree on your block — hopefully in a spot not above a basement. 

Dunkin' debuts on East Houston

Photos by Stacie Joy 

There's a new Dunkin' in town... the outpost debuted Tuesday at 250 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B (first mentioned here). 

And it's a pretty spiffy-looking Dunkin' ...

EVG contributor Stacie Joy met the family running this franchise...

There was a Dunkin'/Baskin Robbins combo along this stretch previously... though in the one-level storefronts were demolished to make way for a new 11-story residential building.

Anniversaries: 15 years ago today

The very first post arrived on this site on Dec. 21, 2007. It was an item from Page Six (!!!???) about the possible sale of Sophie's and Mona's, two longtime favorite East Village bars.

The site went by — not joking! — Sophie's Bar Blog for a brief period. (And why not Mona's Bar Blog?) After a few weeks of handwringing, it turned out that the bars would stay in the family and remain pretty much the same to this day 15 years later. (I explain the site's evolution from Sophie's Bar Blog to EVG here.)

Anyway, taking this moment to thank you for reading the site for however long it has been these past 15 years and 38,546 posts, and for sharing in the adventures of living in this neighborhood — for better or worse. And thank you for sharing tips, photos, anecdotes, observations, complaints, and perspectives on day-to-day life here, past and present.

Couldn't do any of this without all of you. 

I'm incredibly grateful to Derek Berg and Steven for their daily contributions... and to Stacie Joy for lending her photography and reporting talents in covering happenings around the neighborhood.

And now, a happy and healthy holiday season to you. (If you have a Christmas tree and need to discard it before leaving town, please place it where we can get a good photo of it!)

 Photoshopped photo from the archives courtesy of EVPinhead. And I give that business six weeks!

Workers arrive with construction materials at the former P.S. 64 on 9th Street

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Workers arrived yesterday and began to unload construction materials, including cement and cinder blocks, plywood, 2x4s and fire suppressants at the long-vacant former P.S. 64, 605 E. Ninth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.

It's not immediately clear what the scope of the work will entail. The long-standing Stop Work Order and Full Vacant are still on file with the department of buildings.

As always with this address, there's an air of mystery about what is happening. No new work permits were spotted on-site, where none of the workers were seen wearing protective gear while entering the building that has been vacant for 21 years. (There's speculation among some P.S. 64 watchers that workers will be sealing up the entrances to keep people from entering the premises.)

The property that Gregg Singer purchased from the city in 1998 for $3.15 million fell into foreclosure earlier this year and is reportedly in the hands of lender Madison Realty Capital. 

The five-floor building is being offered for use as medical space or educational-related purposes. Meanwhile, some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001. 

Last week, Sarah Ferguson filed a lengthy feature for The Village Voice about what has transpired. Among many other things, no one knows who owns the property now. 

This past January, a court ruled that Madison Realty Capital, a $10 billion global private equity firm, can foreclose on the property. Although Singer is fighting that too, he appears to be running out of money. Singer now owes Madison nearly $90 million in interest and principal, along with late fees and interest charges of $30,000 per day, which started accruing as of the January 20 court judgment, according to a report compiled by a court-appointed referee. 

Singer's attorneys and Madison Realty Capital did not respond to numerous calls and emails seeking clarification on the current ownership status of the building or their intentions for it. Both sides were supposed to appear in court in June, but the meeting was postponed, so the fate of this old school is still in limbo.

Some local elected officials, residents and Charas supporters are hopeful the limbo doesn't last another 20-plus years.

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

A moment with Baz today outside his (Mariah-Carey-free) Clash City Tattoo shop, 273 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

Read our 2015 piece with Baz here.

Moroccan specialty shop Timbuktu being forced out after 20 years on 2nd Avenue

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Sad news here... Timbuktu, the Moroccan specialty shop at 45 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street, is closing soon.

Owner Del Blaoui seen here with his daughter and co-worker, Yasmin Blaoui, confirmed the news after we heard about the pending closure from several readers.

According to Del, the new landlords, who took over in the spring of 2021, decided to terminate the shop's lease effective at the end of the month. He learned about the decision via a certified letter.

He said he hopes to have a few more months to liquidate the merchandise. Del has been in the wholesale business for four decades and has been in this location for 20 years.

For now, shoppers can find items with sale prices between 50 and 70%. 

Here's a look inside the cozy store...

Moving forward, Del, who lives in the East Village, said he'd like to stay in the neighborhood if Timbuktu can find a new space.

Timbuktu is open daily from 1-8 p.m. Phone: (212) 473-4955.  

A celebration of Joe Strummer's life this Thursday outside Niagara on 7th and A

This Thursday, Dec. 22, marks the 20th anniversary of Joe Strummer's death. 

The iconic musician and co-founder of the Clash was only 50. He died from a heart attack caused by an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. 

On this occasion, local singer-songwriter and bar owner Jesse Malin is hosting a free busking show outside the Strummer mural at Niagara on the SE corner of Seventh Street and Avenue A. Starting at 6 p.m., up to 20 acts are expected to perform an acoustic cover or two. There's an after-party at 9 p.m. at 96 Tears next door to Niagara. (Malin is an owner of both venues.) 

Dr. Revolt and Zephyr created the first iteration of the Strummer mural here in 2003.

And in case you've never seen this... here's the video of "Redemption Song" by Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros that shows the mural's creation ... and a bonus clip below that...

 

Signage alert: Caleta on Avenue A, with a Jan. 7 debut

The storefront is shaping up at 131 Avenue A between Ninth Street and St. Mark's Place... where Caleta now has an expected opening date of Jan. 7 (per Instagram). 

As noted in September, real-life couple Jesse Merchant Zuñiga and Javier Zuñiga are opening their first restaurant ... this comes after they launched the pandemic-era business Bad Habit ice cream from their apartment.

During the day, they will serve cartons of their ice cream. And by night, as Eater reported, Caleta "will offer a New American small plates menu to pair with wine, cartons of their ice cream, as well as desserts that use Bad Habit product like baked Alaska." 

The space was previously Thai Direct, which closed following a COVID-related rent dispute with the landlord, per the restaurant's ownership.

H/T Steven!

Monday's parting shot

This evening on Fourth Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery... a few Christmas trees are showing up on the curb as people leave town for the holidays... photo by Derek Berg...

Celebrating the first night of Hanukkah in StuyTown

Allan Yashin shared this photo from StuyTown last evening... during the lighting of the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah ...

[Updating] Man found dead with a slash wound to his neck on Avenue A

Updated 12/26

Police have arrested Roland Codrington. He is accused of two murders — on Avenue A and a doctor Friday in Marcus Garvey Park. In both deadly assaults, the victims were killed with a knife. And in both deaths, the suspect did not previously have any interaction with the victims.

Updated 12/22: Police released a photo of the suspect here.

--

The body of a 51-year-old man with a neck wound was found early this morning on Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. 

According to ABC 7, the man, whose identity has not been released, was discovered around 1 a.m. outside 214 Avenue A on the east side of the avenue with "a laceration to the neck." Authorities pronounced him dead at Bellevue. 

The Daily News reports that the man "lived nearby where he was killed." 

Police have confirmed that this was a homicide. We'll update this story when more information becomes available. 

Updated 1:30 p.m.

The Post identified the victim as James Cunningham. He reportedly had a glass of seltzer at Spike's and was attacked by an unknown assailant after leaving. 

Sources told the paper that "Cunningham himself was just arrested 10 days ago and charged with menacing with a knife." 

Police have not yet revealed a motive or suspect in the deadly attack.

The Daily News reported that Cunningham was a regular at Spike's, 218 Avenue A.

Per the News:

He walked outside and was sliced in the neck after getting into a confrontation in front of a neighboring vacant storefront, according to cops.

"He was a super nice guy," said an employee, who asked not to be named.

NYPD tips posters are now up on the block...

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

Hamilton Fish Park Library reopens for limited service starting today

Photos last month by Stacie Joy

After a two-plus-year closure, the Hamilton Fish Park Library branch reopens today for limited service.

Patrons can pick up and return books and materials, use computers, and receive reference support from staff. 

The branch on East Houston at Columbia Street closed on March 14, 2020, due to an aging HVAC system that, according to NYPL officials, was "no longer capable of heating and cooling the building."

Hamilton Fish Park Library will remain open until the fall of 2023, according to an email from Yolanda Gleason, borough director, Staten Island & Manhattan Neighborhood Library Networks for the New York Public Library.

At that time next year:

...the branch will close for renovation to replace the HVAC system and provide other significant improvements to the building, such as accessible entry and bathrooms, a larger community room, dedicated spaces for children and teens, interior upgrades, rehabilitation of the windows, and increased data and power to support high-tech needs in the community. 

Gleason said that to further support the community, the library will continue to partner with community organizations such as the Henry Street Settlement, which currently hosts in-person services like storytime programs. 

Staff will also regularly visit the neighborhood’s local schools — such as NEST+M, P.S. 15, and P.S. 140 — to share information about print and digital collections, facilitate school workshops, and conduct programs for younger patrons. 

The branch's new hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. 

Updated. 

Stacie Joy shared these photos from re-opening day... not everyone seemed to get the memo about the branch returning to service...

Storefront renovations and reveals on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

Many readers pointed out the storefront renovations underway now at 132 Second Ave. at the SW corner of St. Mark's Place (top photo via Steven; shot below by Derek Berg from Friday)...

As EVG contributor Stacie Joy first reported on Oct. 3, an outpost of the Brooklyn-based Poetica Coffee will be opening here in the months ahead. This will be the second Manhattan location for the brand, which has seven spots in Brooklyn.

And on Friday, owner Parviz Mukhamadkulov sent us this photo of some local music ephemera that was uncovered on one of the storefront pillars... a band flyer for a show on May 7, 1974, at the long-defunct Brandy's II on the Upper East Side. (Brandy's Piano Bar is still there.)

Not sure who these lads are at the moment... the band's name is MIA here...

The retail space was the longtime home of Gem Spa, the iconic newsstand-candy shop. Gem Spa officially closed in May 2020 amid ongoing financial challenges worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mukhamadkulov previously told us that he would honor the memory of the decades-spanning former occupant in this renovated space. 

The East Village Sauce outpost shutters for now on 12th Street

The Sauce Pizzeria outpost at 345 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue is temporarily closed. (Thanks to Steven for the photos.) 

A sign for patrons, dated Dec. 16, states that they "have made the tough decision to close our doors for the next few months."

And: 

We are planning to relaunch this location with great enthusiasm, and we look forward to serving you again soon! 

We have a great passion for our community and neighborhood and aren't going anywhere. Brookfield

 Sauce arrived here in 2018. 

The pizzeria also has outposts on the Lower East Side (Allen at Rivington) ... plus Brookfield Place and Moynihan Train Hall.

FULL reveal at 14 2nd Ave.

Workers have removed the scaffolding and construction netting from the 10-story condoplex nearing completion on Second Avenue at Houston (adjacent to First Street Green Art Park)... providing the fullest of the full reveals we have seen here...

As we've been reporting, preliminary work on the luxury building got underway in January 2019... with availability starting in spring 2023, per the 14 Second Ave. site. Just one unit is listed RN: a 1,600-square-foot residence with an ask just north of $3 million.

This property had been vacant for years, last housing Irreplaceable Artifacts until its demolition by the city in July 2000. 

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Workers remove artifacts from the vacant 14 2nd Ave., fueling speculation of new development

• Development watch: 14 2nd Ave.

• Vacant lot at 14 2nd Ave. sells for $7 million; will yield to 10-floor condoplex  

Sunday's parting shot

As seen on Avenue A today... photo by Derek Berg...

Noted

A reader shared this photo today from First Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, noting: "If only the ashtrays could talk…"