First Avenue and First Street today. The reader who shared the photo wasn't sure if the tree was discarded or just waiting for the M15.
Monday, March 5, 2018
March 5
First Avenue and First Street today. The reader who shared the photo wasn't sure if the tree was discarded or just waiting for the M15.
About the ongoing issues with the NYCHA
[Avenue D and 10th Street]
On Friday, embattled NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye shared a letter with residents of the city's public housing. The letter, marking her fourth anniversary as chair, noted some progress at the agency as well as addressed failures in lead paint inspections and heating outages.
The NYCHA posted Olatoye's letter on Twitter Friday evening...
.@NYCHA Chair & CEO @SholaOlatoye marks 4 years of progress with an open letter to residents. #NextGenNYCHA pic.twitter.com/dZeo0t29VV
— NYCHA (@NYCHA) March 2, 2018
Olatoye and the NYCHA continue to make headlines in recent months. Per the Daily News on Saturday:
Olatoye has faced relentless calls to resign after it emerged that she falsely told the City Council in December that properly certified workers had inspected some 4,200 apartments for lead paint. A Department of Investigation probe found the inspections were in fact done by workers who lacked the required training.
Meanwhile, last month, Dr. Howard Zucker, the state health commissioner, launched an investigation into the recurring heat and lead paint problems at NYCHA properties throughout the five boroughs, including in the East Village and Lower East Side.
At the Jacob Riis Houses on Avenue D, one resident said that she has just gotten used to the lack of heat, even telling ABC 7 last month that she knows better than to complain.
"Some of us that do have the heat, if we complained then there's no heat for the rest of the winter," Cynthia Martin told the station.
Martin also said that she has peeling paint in her apartment, "which she fears is lead paint. Not to mention mold, which she blames for her kids' asthma."
This past Tuesday, the Citywide Council of Presidents, a group of tenant leaders chosen by residents, asked a judge to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the NYCHA "because it has failed to provide heat and hot water, keep residents safe from lead, involve tenants in policymaking and hire residents, as required by federal regulations," per published reports.
Here's more background from The New York Times last week:
Three authority officials, including the general manager, Michael P. Kelly, have resigned, and one was demoted. There are persistent calls for the authority chairwoman, Shola Olatoye, to resign or be removed, though Mayor Bill de Blasio has remained supportive of her.
“Lots of different of organizations have sued Nycha, but this is a first,” Nicholas Dagen Bloom, an associate professor of social science at New York Institute of Technology and the author of “Public Housing That Worked: New York in the 20th Century,” said about the lawsuit. “It does show a mounting, spreading activist spirit. Generally speaking, that council was a rubber stamp and it has been widely criticized for decades, though not always fairly.”
At the Daily News yesterday, author Ben Austen weighed in with an opinion piece titled "NYCHA at the crossroads."
From that piece:
New York City is at a crossroads. If its public housing is allowed to deteriorate further, the buildings will soon seem too dilapidated to save. They will become more dangerous, the cost of repairs ever-more insurmountable.
Some terrible harm to residents will come to define NYCHA's cruelty, and the value of the real estate on which the buildings sit will emerge as an irresistible lure. By then, demolition will be hailed as the only solution.
But for hundreds of thousands NYCHA residents who live and work in the five boroughs, there is no other viable alternative. The city already operates by far the largest Section 8 voucher program in the country. With de Blasio pressing his plans to add 300,000 units of affordable housing, generally above the public housing income threshold, it just doesn't make sense to let this major share of the city's low-income portfolio fall into ruin.
For his part, Mayor de Blasio still reportedly has Olatoye's back, saying in late January that when assessing the totality of what the agency has accomplished during her tenure, she has made "tremendous progress."
"When Shola took office, the Housing Authority was literally teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. She righted the ship. So I want to give her a lot of credit," the mayor said at an unrelated press conference in the Bronx in January, as reported by the Post. "I continue to have great faith in her."
Other elected officials don't share that sentiment. Gov. Cuomo told WNYC last week that the NYCHA's numerous problems stem from poor management, not underfunding.
"When they tell you it takes us three to four years to spend money they get today, that is a problem," Cuomo said. "People can’t wait three to four years to turn on the heat. Lead paint is a problem today. And, that's what the residents are complaining about and I think they’re right."
The Mayor, in response, said that Cuomo was being ridiculous.
For further reading:
Why Can’t de Blasio’s Housing Authority Keep the Heat On? (The Village Voice)
City Seeks Proposals For Large New Residential Project at La Guardia Houses (The Lo-Down)
Cows, pigs and chickens now adorn the walls at the former vegan favorite Angelica Kitchen
[Photo Saturday by Laura K.]
As reported in November, a Chinese restaurant is taking over the former Angelica Kitchen on 12th Street near Second Avenue.
The signage went up last week for Dunhuang East Village, the latest location for the restaurant serving northwestern Chinese cuisine ... featuring a variety of hand-pulled noodles. (You can find their menu here.)
The walls of the under-renovation space are adorned with cows, pigs and chickens ...
Angelica Kitchen, which first opened on St. Mark's Place in 1976, shut down after service in April 2017. Owner Leslie McEachern said that "making the numbers work week in and week out is just not viable for us anymore."
The restaurant moved to 12th Street in 1987.
And while we're at it... here's a look at the incoming neighbor on the southeast corner of Second Avenue and 12th Street — Lumos Kitchen ... you can read the previous post on this venture here.
Thanks to Shiv for also sending photos of the Dunhuang East Village signage!
Previously on EV Grieve:
Angelica Kitchen closing on April 7; friends raising money to pay off expenses (61 comments)
Former Angelica Kitchen space will yield to a Chinese noodle shop on 12th Street
The for-real Target signage has arrived at EVGB
A tipster shared the above photo from Friday at 500 E. 14th St. at Avenue A ... the wraparound Target signage has arrived on the corner space (Previously just a small sign marked the location for construction workers.)
Now, though!
As reported last summer, the small-format Target will cover two levels here, selling men’s and women’s apparel and accessories, food (with grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, beverages), health and beauty and electronics. Etc.
The East Village Target has an expected July opening date.
Oh, and about EVGB. That's short for "East Village's Greatest Building," the nickname that Extell Development bestowed upon this retail-residential complex.
Former Artichoke Pizza space for rent on 14th Street
The for-rent signage has arrived atop the former Artichoke Basille's Pizza location on 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
Kinda interesting that the high-end Nest Seekers International has the rather pedestrian property. Didn't spot the listing online just yet.
The storefront suffered damage last May during a two-alarm fire. According to the FDNY, the fire was accidental — "due to heat from the pizza oven flue."
At the time Artichoke was still the tenant, though they were nearly ready to relocate across the street... the growing pizzeria chainlet opened that spot in June...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Artichoke appears to be moving into a new space on 14th Street
Report of an early-morning fire at 328 E. 14th St., home of Artichoke Basille’s Pizza
Artichoke Basille's Pizza signage arrives at new 14th Street location
DOH temporarily closes Pinky's on 1st Street
An EVG reader, who says he's a fan of the new Pinky's Space on First Street, was disappointed to find the to-go shop closed in recent weeks.
There isn't any mention of a temporary closure on the Pinky's website or social media channels.
According to public records, the Health Department closed Pinky's following an inspection on Feb. 13. In total, there are 121 violation points ... the most serious, per the DOH website: "Food from unapproved or unknown source or home canned. Reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing; or ROP foods prepared on premises transported to another site."
According to Pinky's crowdfunding campaign:
Pinky's will be a GRAB & GO food chain offering a 7 item menu with multiple locations located in small venues (approximately 150 sq/ft) next to high traffic NYC subway stations. We will offer healthy Southern American & French style cuisine served hot and packaged fresh in vibrant packaging creatively designed for easy commute and convenient dining.
Pinky's wants to keep life simple for everyone. Food operations will be streamlined by utilizing a central kitchen to prepare and cook all food with daily deliveries to each location. A limited menu will also keep the overall system simple and efficient for both customers and personnel. Each store will be simplistic and require minimal investment. They will require a steam table, refrigerator, sink, and countertop.
With all food prepared offsite, each location can swiftly serve customers with minimal time and effort as well as minimal staff (2 per store). There's no need for expensive real estate to house kitchen space or expensive equipment to outfit each restaurant. Additional locations can also be seamlessly integrated into network operations with minimal time and expense.
Looks as if there are a few issues to address to make this concept work within the Health Department's guidelines. (Other violations included "HACCP plan not approved or approved HACCP plan not maintained on premises.")
And the reader likely didn't know about the violations given that the DOH's yellow "closed" sticker was covered up on the front door...
Pinky's opened in early January, receiving coverage on UrbanDaddy and ABC 7.
Sunday, March 4, 2018
Red-tailed hawk drama headed to local TV news
[Photo today by Steven]
Ali Bauman, a reporter for CBS 2, was in Tompkins Square Park today... for a red-tailed hawk segment expected to air tonight at 11.
Dora, pictured above, cooperated by catching and eating a pigeon.
And Dora later...
Photos by Steven!
Updated:
Here's the link to the CBS 2 feature.
Week in Grieview
[2nd Avenue surf via Derek Berg]
Stories posted on EVG this past week included...
650 E. 6th St.prepped for demolition; new condoplex on the way (Monday)
Report: Contractor charged in 2nd Avenue gas explosion illegally renovating Harlem apartments (Saturday)
The books of Felix Caro (Wednesday)
Dora returns home (Monday) ... Christo and Dora spotted building nest together (Wednesday)
Pastel Spa & Nails closes on 2nd Avenue; murals outside tanned over (Thursday)
CB3 OKs proposal for Union Square tech hub; calls for zoning protections (Thursday)
Residents voice concerns about quality-of-life issues on 14th Street and 1st Avenue (Monday)
A look at Stuy Town in 1947 (Tuesday)
[Fake tree toss on 1st Avenue this a.m.]
Reader report: manhole explosion on 2nd Avenue (Tuesday)
Lovecraft has not been open lately on Avenue B (Wednesday)
Matthew Kenney's PlantMade teams up with Pure Green on 2nd Avenue (Friday)
Joe and Pat's signage arrives on 1st Avenue (Friday)
Poke N' Roll debuts on 9th Street (Wednesday)
Natasha Lyonne filming Netflix series "Russian Doll" outside 7B (Wednesday)
More about the new venture from Pilotworks on the Bowery (Monday)
Tibetan speciality shop DöKham is now open on 1st Avenue (Friday)
Yet another opportunity to buy 114 E. 10th St. (Tuesday)
[Hay there on Avenue A yesterday via Bobby Williams]
Openings on Avenue A: Mama Fina's House of Filipino Sisig (Monday)
PokéVillage is the EV's first poke casualty (Friday)
IQ Decor closes on 14th Street (Wednesday)
Extra Place is all pretty much Momofuku Ko now (Tuesday)
Garbage bags now adorn the windows at Out East (Monday)
The Real Yellow Pages have arrived (Thursday)
... and my condolences to the friends and family of Amos Little Jr. The longtime doorman at Sophie's (and also Josie's) died suddenly last weekend. He was 60.
[Photo by Walter Wlodarczyk via Instagram]
Last month he moved back to Philadelphia to spend more time with his family.
---
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Post explores the complicated relationship of Dora, Christo and Nora/Not-Dora
Among the one-liners:
• "A cheep slut has come between a hawk and her hubby."
• "The three lovers met beak-to-beak in the center of the park, where the plumage hit the fan."
• "To some bird watchers, Nora is nothing more than a rust-colored nest-wrecker."
Here's the article, which includes quotes and photos from Goggla.
Updated 9 a.m.
Heh. The Post put this story on the cover...
Saturday, March 3, 2018
[Updated] Tree casualty in Tompkins Square Park from yesterday's storm
One of the trees (a Pin Oak?) along the Ninth Street entrance and the ballfields became uprooted during yesterday's storm ... workers will need to remove this...
Thanks to Steven for the photos...
Updated 3/4
A crew is in the Park this morning to remove the tree...
Report: Contractor charged in 2nd Avenue gas explosion illegally renovating Harlem apartments
[The former 119-123 2nd Ave. from Feb. 15]
Dilber Kukic, the contractor charged with manslaughter and negligent homicide in the March 2015 gas explosion on Second Avenue, is gut renovating four apartments at 303 W. 154th St. without permits, according to the New York Daily News.
Per the News:
“We have rented to almost everyone currently living in these properties and I am concerned for their safety,” whistleblower Jerry Leazer said.
Leazer worked as a broker for the six-floor, 54-unit building through his company, Apartments Expert, until last month.
“It’s a dangerous situation,” he said, adding he’d become concerned about legal liabilities due to the off-the-books renovations.
Leazer’s complaint says Kukic, 42, and other workers have removed walls and rewired the apartments without permits.
Kukic’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, told the paper: "His probation officer knows. He’s allowed to work. As long as the company is licensed, my understanding is he can work there as an employee."
In an unrelated case in 2015, Kukic pleaded guilty to bribery, a felony, according to published reports at the time.
Per the Daily News: "He admitted to handing off $600 to an undercover officer in the investigator's car in an effort to get violations cleared from a pair of buildings he owns on W. 173rd St. on an expedited basis."
As for the Second Avenue case, Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance's office charged Kukic, landlord Maria Hrynenko and her son, Michael Hrynenko Jr., along with plumber Jerry Ioannidis, with manslaughter in the second degree, criminally negligent homicide and assault in the second degree.. (The final defendant, licensed plumber Andrew Trombettas, was charged with offering a false instrument, for allegedly lending his name and license number to paperwork.)
Kukic is due back in court on March 23 — almost three years to the date since the explosion leveled 119-123 Second Ave.
Dora after yesterday's storm
The red-tailed hawk watchers were curious to see how Dora would fare in yesterday's nor'easter with her rehabbed wing... Steven spotted her this morning in her nest in Tompkins Square Park ...
...looking pretty relaxed...
...looking pretty relaxed...
In crane news today
There is crane action happening now on Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street.
B is closed here for now.
There were unconfirmed reports that this was to install a new vape-smoke sign. Wrong side of the Avenue though.
Anyway! A few different views via this Live Team Coverage...
In all likelihood, per the cranewatchers on the scene, workers are dropping off, so to speak, an air conditioner or HVAC atop 43-47 Avenue B.
According to the posted sign on Avenue B, this will only take 11 hours.
Report: A book of Lou Reed's unpublished poetry set for April release
In case you missed this news (via Pitchfork and The Guardian)... on what would have been Lou Reed's 76th birthday yesterday, Anthology Editions announced a new book of his unreleased poetry.
Per Anthology:
In August of 1970, a 28-year-old Lou Reed quit the Velvet Underground, moved home to Long Island, New York, and embarked on a fascinating alternate creative path: poetry. "Do Angels Need Haircuts?" is an extraordinary snapshot of this turning point in Reed’s career.
Gathering poems, photographs and ephemera from this era (including previously unreleased audio of the 1971 St. Mark’s Church reading), and featuring a new foreword by Anne Waldman and an afterword by Laurie Anderson, this book provides a window to a little-known chapter in the life of one of the most singular and uncompromising voices in American popular culture.
The book is due out next month.
Friday, March 2, 2018
Friday's parting shot
Photo on Second Avenue and Fourth Street by Lola Sāenz...
Wind claims part of the Avenue C Pharmacy awning
Today's high winds (#windmaggedon!) brought down the awning alongside the Avenue C Pharmacy between 11th Street and 12th Street. The awning fell in the grassy area to the south of the shopping complex where there weren't any pedestrians.
Thanks to @evan_kapitansky for sharing the photo.
Here on 'Earth'
Members of the Horrors, the Black Angels, Elephant Stone and the Earlies formed Mien ... the track here, "Earth Moon," is from their first record out on April 6.
Being the butt of something
Via a crime story in Town & Village today:
A man arrested for selling loosies in Union Square wound up facing far more serious charges when he didn’t do a good enough job hiding his stash and almost 60 envelopes of heroin fell from his butt crack when he bent over to be searched, police said.
Checking in on Winter Storm Riley undergoing bombogenesis
In other words, it's really windy. That's the weather forecast for now. Photo today on Second Avenue by Derek Berg.
Matthew Kenney's PlantMade teams up with Pure Green on 2nd Avenue
Pure Green is getting a new roommate in its space on Second Avenue between 9th Street and 10th Street.
PlantMade, a cafe via plant-based chef Matthew Kenney, whose bio says that he is "crafting the future of food®," will be serving "artisanal coffee and plant-based pastries" inside the Pure Green space.
The Pure Green-PlantMade combo debuts today after a week of renovations...
Pure Green, which has multiple NYC locations, sells cold-pressed juices, smoothies and various bowls of açaí, opened last March in this new storefront. They originally shared space with Greecologies, whose menu included a variety of grass-fed yogurts as well as desserts, coffees and teas.
Kenney is also involved with 00 + Co. and Bar Verde a few blocks to the south on Second Avenue.
H/T Steven!
Previously on EV Grieve:
152 2nd Ave. storefront to yield a combo Greek yogurt and smoothie shop
Joe and Pat's signage arrives on 1st Avenue (above the Lanza's)
Joe and Pat's, the Staten Island-based pizzeria, looks ever-so-close to opening... the signage recently arrived here on First Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street.
The sign for Lanza's, the previous tenant here, remains intact above the doorway. And Jeremiah Moss recently noted that Lanza's antique murals seem to have survived the gut renovation.
Speaking of renovations, it has seemingly taken awhile to get the space in Joe-and-Pat's shape. (The coming soon sign arrived in April 2017.)
This location of Joe and Pat's, whose first branch opened on Staten Island in 1960, will serve their signature thin-crust pies as well as a variety of pastas and salads. No word on when they may open.
Lanza's closed for good back in July 2016. The Italian restaurant had been in the space since 1904.
PokéVillage is the EV's first poke casualty
A commenter mentioned this on the Poke N' Roll post from Wednesday... PokéVillage has closed on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. A for rent sign hangs in the window. (Thanks to EVG reader Shiv for the photo!)
The Pokésters opened here in December 2016 toward the end of the Great Poké Rush of 2015-16. This marks the first closure of a poké-serving restaurant in the East Village during this time.
The address was previously home to Saving$ Paradise, which merged with I.Q. Decor in the spring of 2016. IQ Decor just went out of business following a rent increase.
Tibetan speciality shop DöKham is now open on 1st Avenue
After 29 years on Prince Street, DöKham relocated to 117 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place...
And the shop that specializes in clothing and accessories from Tibet had its grand opening last night ... featuring traditional Tibetan food as well as live music by Mongolian musicians Baagii Bayarjargal and Suvda Khereid ...
[Photo last night via @radicaldesi]
The shop is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday, March 1, 2018
The Real Yellow Pages have arrived
Reader reports are coming in from all over the neighborhood with news that the Yellow Pages have arrived. Or are arriving.
This year's cover features a shot of the Empire State Building under attack by a spacecraft a la "Independence Day" as well as an ad for Epic Security Corp. "Fully insured. Armed and unarmed guards."
While the directories are tightly wrapped in plastic, you may still want to bring them indoors before it really starts to rain...
Dora – Nora
Dora - Nora
Dora - Nora, Nora - Dora,
Will Christo do what is honorable,
Nora - Dora, Dora - Nora,
Nesting, no time to squabble,
Dora - Nora, Nora - Dora,
Females, time to huddle,
Nora - Dora, Dora - Nora,
Only one hawk from this muddle,
Dora - Nora, Nora - Dora,
Open the envelope please, Ah cuddle,
Dora!
•
peter radley
Previously
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