Landmarks Preservation Commission approves hotel project that could potentially damage the city's oldest residential landmark

EVG file photo

The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted yesterday to approve an 8-story hotel next door to the landmarked Merchant's House Museum on Fourth Street between the Bowery and Lafayette, prompting a dire response from museum officials. 

As we reported last week, the development firm Kalodop II Park Corp. has been trying to build the hotel for nearly 12 years; the project has been in limbo for the past three years.

In January 2019, the developers sued New York City, the City Council and Councilmember Carlina Rivera over rejecting their Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) application for the project. 

The developers have been seeking a spot rezoning to build an 8-story hotel on the site — higher than the current zoning allowed. The full City Council ultimately voted down the rezoning in September 2019. 

Preservationists, not to mention the leadership of Merchant's House, the circa-1832 building, were concerned that the construction could permanently damage the structure, one of only six residences in NYC that is both an exterior and an interior landmark. Local elected officials and Community Board 2 have all opposed the current application for the 8-story hotel. 

During yesterday's meeting, the LPC did not allow for testimony from the Merchant's House or their engineering team.

 The Merchant's House released this statement after yesterday's decision... 

[T]he LPC voted to approve the development next door to the Merchant's House, despite overwhelming and unanimous opposition from the community, preservation organizations, public officials and, of course, from the Merchant's House and our engineers and preservation architects. 

When asked, the developer's engineers admitted that they have no data about what standards are appropriate when dealing with historic decorative plaster. Further, none of the participants today was aware of the plaster study that confirmed irreparable damage will take place. 

The LPC mandated that certain standards relating to vibration monitoring be established. However, even the most state-of-the-art vibration monitoring systems only announce when the vibration limit has been reached — at which point the damage has already occurred. 

Today's vote by the LPC to greenlight a development that is certain to cause irreparable damage to the Merchant's House Museum is a warning to every other landmark in New York City. If the Merchant's House, one of New York's most treasured historical assets, can be subjected to adjacent construction that will destroy its historic fabric, then every landmark in New York City is at risk. 

This decision, even if reversed, will be a permanent stain on the Commission, which has failed in its existential duty to protect Manhattan’s first and New York City’s oldest residential landmark. The Merchant’s House Museum will take aggressive legal action to halt this unacceptable development. 

Thank you to all who wrote letters of support to the LPC and to those who were able to attend or listen to the meeting today. We couldn't do it without you.

You can donate to their legal fund here. (You can support them in other ways here.) You can watch a replay of the meeting here. The Merchant's House proposal starts at the 25-minute mark.

Local elected officials call out landlords renting to unlicensed cannabis shops

Image via Harvey Epstein's office 

Local elected officials came together yesterday to speak out against unlicensed cannabis shops in Lower Manhattan and call on landlords to stop renting to these businesses. 

Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, Councilmember Carlina Rivera and Sen. Brian Kavanagh gathered with community members outside Go Green Dispensary on the SE corner of 10th Street and First Avenue. Officials pointed out that this dispensary is close to multiple schools (East Side Community School and PS 19 East Village Community School) and the mosque on 11th Street and First Avenue. 

According to officials, legal cannabis dispensaries — licensed by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management — are prohibited from operating within 500 feet of a school or 200 feet of a religious institution.

As of August, a new city law that holds commercial landlords responsible for renting storefronts to unlicensed cannabis shops is in effect. 

Introduction 1001-B, known as Local Law 107 of 2023, prohibits owners of commercial spaces from knowingly leasing to unlicensed sellers of marijuana or tobacco products, imposing fines of up to $10,000 on landlords for violations. 

During the rally, Epstein announced that he was sending letters to the landlords of 22 shops stating their renters were selling cannabis illegally and advising them of their responsibilities under the law and penalties for failure to comply.

"Unlicensed cannabis shops are a threat to consumers, the legal market, and our entire community,” Epstein said. “As a supporter of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, I believe that the sale of cannabis should be used as an instrument of social justice, allowing individuals who have suffered the impact of criminalization to enter the market legally and receive priority status when applying for their licenses. Unlicensed shops like these perilously undermine that goal while also evading safety requirements and taxes."

Representatives from Housing Works Cannabis Co., NYC's first legal dispensary that opened last December on Broadway at Eighth Street, were also present to talk about the negative impact these businesses have on the legal market.

"Currently operated illegal cannabis businesses are supported by multiple out-of-state and international investors. These investors can afford to pay the fines and renegotiate terms for retail space," said Anthony Feliciano, vice president of the advocacy department at Housing Works. "Additionally, landlords repeatedly allow their commercial storefronts to be re-opened by either the same tenant or a new renter after being seized by the sheriff's department. We need more administrative mechanisms and legislation designed to get the landlord's attention."

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe today on Second Avenue...

Dates released for Mulchchella 2024, where the headliners are your Christmas trees

Photo by Steven 

The Parks Department knows it's never too early to start thinking about mulching your tree — maybe even before you buy one! 

MulchFest signage arrived yesterday in Tompkins Square Park announcing the dates for this season's Mulchchella — Jan. 6-7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where free mulch will be up for grabs. (Prediction! Soon, this event will be two weekends long!)

Anyway, you can now drag your tree to the area in the middle of the Park for the mulching (though technically the Parks Department says Dec. 26). Of course it's never too early (or late!) to discard a tree.

A bad sign at Numero 28 Pizzeria Napoletana

Photos by Steven

The Marshal has taken possession of the retail space at 176 Second Ave., home of Numero 28 Pizzeria Napoletana here between 11th Street and 12th Street.

The legal notice, dated yesterday, states that the landlord is now in possession of the storefront...

As always, this doesn't mean the end for the business.

However, in this case, the space has been listed for rent on LoopNet since mid-October. 

The pizzeria, with multiple NYC locations as well as in Miami Beach, Fla., and Austin, Texas, arrived in the East Village in 2009... taking over from Singas Famous Pizza. 

On the sales market: 180 1st Ave., home of the dual Michael Jackson murals

The five-story residential building on the SE corner of First Avenue and 11th Street recently arrived on the sales market.

There are actually two buildings here at 180 First Ave. (it extends east on 11th Street). The five-story mixed-use buildings contain three retail units (with an unlicensed weed shop in the corner space) and 14 residential units.

The Marcus and Millichap listing notes: "The free-market units were all recently gut renovated and finishes include brand new appliances, in-unit washer and dryers, dishwashers, high ceilings, tons of natural light, smart-lock entry and a video intercom system."

The asking price is $11.850 million.

There is no mention of the mural by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra showing Michael Jackson as a child and adult... which arrived here in July 2018. Kobra said he wouldn't paint over the mural after the early 2019 allegations in which two former child performers described how Jackson sexually abused them while they were children.

Construction watch: 183 Avenue B

Three-plus years have passed since we checked in at 183 Avenue B between 11th Street and 12th Street. 

The rendering recently arrived on the plywood for the 8-floor, 12-unit residential building in the works... oh!

Here's more about the project via its website:

The Village Garden Condominium is a stylish bright building, standing out above its neighbors. All units are flooded by natural light. Lower floors provide views of the beautiful historic buildings of the Lower East Side; upper floors afford sweeping views of the neighborhood and Tomkins Square Park.

And...

The two full-floor penthouse units include two terraces, perfect for inviting friends or a romantic evening. The delight of your private outdoor space can be appreciated during the morning sunrise or in the evening with a glass of wine. 

In January 2017, Corcoran listed the property with a $4.75 million ask. The building — with air rights intact — sold for that exact amount in April 2017, per public records. The DOB permit lists Richard Pino via the Tompkins 183 LLC as the owner.

The existing four-story building was later demolished on this lot in early 2020.

Work on the new condoplex remains in the foundation phase. There's a December 2024 completion date listed on the plywood rendering. 

Kung Fu Tea closes on St. Mark's Place

A for-rent sign arrived in the window yesterday at Kung Fu Tea, marking the official end of the business here at 28 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. (H/T Steven!)

The business had been closed during announced hours of late... leading to suspicions that it had shuttered. (And likely much to the chagrin of the electric unicycle crowd that met up here.)

Kung Fu arrived at this spot in 2014 after relocating from First Avenue and 10th Street. The global chain still has more than 40 outposts in the greater metropolitan area. 

As for No. 28, the asking rent is $11,200.

Monday's parting shots

Today city workers power washed the spraypainted messages (and removed all the flyers) off the sidewalks on both the NE and SE corners of Ninth Street and First Avenue. 

A group of unhoused residents have been living on the NE corner under the sidewalk bridge in recent months (a corridor dubbed Anarchy Road) ... which has also been a focal point of ongoing sweeps by multiple city agencies, including members of the NYPD, the Department of Sanitation and the Department of Homeless Services. 

For now, there aren't any signs of the residents... a few of the messages, all directed toward Mayor Adams and the NYPD, remain in the roadway despite the power washing...

Paulie Gee's Slice Shop in the works for the former Huertas space on 1st Avenue

Paulie Gee's is coming to the East Village. 

Reps for the popular Greenpoint pizzeria are on CB3's SLA docket tonight for a liquor license at 107 First Ave., the former Huertas space between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. 

Paperwork (the PDF is here) shows that the space will hold 63 guests (16 tables) with an eight-seat bar. The proposed hours are daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., with a 2 a.m. close Thursday through Saturday. 

This will be the first Manhattan location for the brand... which now has outposts in Baltimore, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, and Philadelphia. Paul Giannone opened the first location in Greenpoint in 2010, and the lines followed.

Huertas closed in August after 10 years in service. There's a new landlord for the building, and chef Jonah Miller said that he could not come to "suitable terms" for a new lease.

Tonight's SLA meeting starts at 6:30. Find the Zoom link at this link.

This is a hybrid meeting, and there is limited seating available for the public — the first 15 people who show up at the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

A new CO at the 9th

Image via @NYPD9Pct

Capt. Pamela Jeronimo is the new commanding officer of the 9th Precinct... which made the announcement over the weekend...

We would like to introduce you to our new CO, Captain Jeronimo. Captain Jeronimo is coming with a great wealth of experience. Captain Jeronimo is also a licensed attorney. We welcome her to our great community!! pic.twitter.com/FqzctKAZ4t

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) December 9, 2023

This also marks the first woman to be the CO of the 9th Precinct. Jeronimo, who has been with the NYPD for 19 years, previously served as an executive officer at the 13th Precinct in Midtown South. 

She takes over the 9th from Deputy Inspector Ralph A. Clement, who held the position since October 2020. Clement is moving on to be the CO at the 103rd Precinct in Western Queens. 

Sammy's Roumanian Steak House now looking at a new Lower East Side space for its return

When Sammy's Roumanian Steak House returns to the Lower East Side, Stanton Street will now likely be the location for the new home. 

Owner David Zimmerman will appear before CB3's SLA committee tonight to license 112 Stanton St. between Essex and Ludlow...

In May, as we first reported, Community Board 3 approved an application for 191 Orchard St. between Houston and Stanton. 

We're not sure what happened with the Orchard Street space ... as previously mentioned, it had been vacant for nine years and needed a lot of work to bring it into service. Apparently, Zimmerman and Sammy's team needed to move on from the location.

The method of operation (questionnaire here) will be similar on Stanton Street as it was proposed on Orchard Street ... and the same as when Sammy's reigned on Chrystie Street. The proposal calls for six tables to accommodate 66 guests... and a "Sammy's Dinner Show" twice-nightly (6 and 9).

Sammy's closed in early January 2021 after 45-plus years of serving up ice-encased vodka, smeared pitchers of schmaltz and enormous platters of meat from the lower level at 151 Chrystie St. between Delancey and Rivington.

The restaurant had been shuttered since the PAUSE of March 2020, and this wasn't a business ready-made for delivery or outdoor dining.

In an Instagram post at the time, Zimmerman left the door open for a return. 

112 Stanton St. was previously home to Sushumai Asian Fusion.

Tonight's SLA meeting starts at 6:30. Find the Zoom link at this link.

This is a hybrid meeting, and there is limited seating available for the public — the first 15 people who show up at the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

A Total by Verizon for Avenue A

A Total by Verizon outpost has set up shop at 199 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street. 

According to what we read somewhere on the Internet that seemed credible enough, this was a TracFone sub-brand until Verizon purchased it almost two years ago and started going by Total Wireless. The company rebranded it to Total by Verizon in late 2022.

The space had been, for years, home to a psychic with signage noting "past, present & future." (If this space becomes a psychic again, they could go by Total Recall to pay homage to Verizon.)

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

After some mixed messages about whether today's tree lighting would actually take place in Tompkins Square Park with the rainy forecast... the show did go on, though in a stripped-down version ... still with some caroling and hot chocolate via Veselka.

The annual tree lighting IS STILL ON in Tompkins Square Park

Top photo via EVG reader Eddie; photo below by Steven

Updated 12/10: There have been some mixed messages related to updates on today's tree lighting. Some of the organizers told us the event was canceled given the rain and wind, which surprised some of the other people involved. Albert Fabozzi, the founder of the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree-lighting ceremony, told EVG's Stacie Joy that there will be a small event  ... no musicians or microphones, but a small chorale group will perform. 

Reminder: the 32nd edition of the Tompkins Square Park tree lighting will take place tomorrow (Sunday, Dec. 10) from 4 to 5 p.m.

The event, sponsored by C&B Cafe, features the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City and the Mandel & Lydon Trio with the music ... and refreshments via Veselka.

You can revisit photos from last year's tree lighting here.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a sunrise pic from Tompkins Square Park)...

• City officials help facilitate successful meal handout for asylum seekers in the East Village (Monday)

• RIP Ed Burns (Tuesday) 

 • The Joyce Theater Foundation completes the purchase of the former Boys' Club on 10th Street and Avenue A (Tuesday) 

• Proposed hotel next to the Merchant's House Museum returns to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (Thursday) 

• Report: Police chase ends with Jeep crashing into 2nd Avenue sidewalk bridge, injuring cyclist (Monday)

• Federico of Pinc Louds is doing a residency on Wednesdays this month at 96 Tears (Tuesday) 

• Happy No. 139 to the Ottendorfer Library branch! (Friday) 

• 360 Bowery is all glassed up (Monday) 

• A 'Centennial' celebration of Saul Leiter (Wednesday)

• About the discounted tix to see Basquiat x Warhol at the Brant Foundation (Thursday) 

• Construction watch: 340 Bowery (Wednesday) 

• A sign of the Sunflower (and brunch) on 2nd Avenue (Thursday) 

• A bad sign at Gaia Italian Café (Wednesday) 

• Signage alert: La Vera Pizza on 2nd Avenue (Monday) 

• Filipino restaurant Naks set to open on 1st Avenue via the Unapologetic Foods team (Monday)

 • Another look at the newly reconstructed Tompkins Square Park multipurpose courts (Monday) 

... and speaking of the courts... it's no running track, but these markings arrived in recent days...

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Last day for SlimaFest on the Lower East Side

File photo of Count Slima by Walter Wlodarczyk 

Today is the last day of the weekend-long SlimaFest at the Lower East Side gallery Foreign & Domestic.

The show pays tribute to poet Joseph "Count Slima" Williams, a longtime local resident (and Sophie's regular and former Two Boots staffer). 

Open today from noon to 6 p.m. 

The gallery is at 24 Rutgers St. between Henry and Madison. If you can't make it, check out the PDF here.

CBGB at 50

CBGB has been in the news this past week... Hilly Kristal opened the venue on the Bowery 50 years ago today — Dec. 10, 1973. (Some sources also list Dec. 3 as the opening.) This was a rebrand after four years as Hilly's on the Bowery. 

Among the anniversary pieces: NPR ... NY1 ... the Post ... and the Daily News. 

The club closed in October 2006... John Varvatos took over 315 Bowery in April 2008.

Saturday's parting shot

The holidays are on at Search & Destroy, 25 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue ... the anarchy Christmas wreath recently arrived over the door...

Dec. 9

From Third Street just west of Avenue B. Concerned Citizen asks, Too soon? (Or maybe too late?)

Anyway, let's just get Christmas over with. Don't forget to watch the New Year's Eve ball drop next Saturday, Dec. 16!