You have until midnight to help the Lower Eastside Girls Club win $50,000

You have until midnight to help the Lower Eastside Girls Club win $50,000 in the 2011 DVF People's Voice Award. Vote here.

Read more here at the Daily News.

5:52 p.m., Cooper Square, Feb. 15

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

Prosecutors: East Village man behind Ponzi scheme (The Wall Street Journal)

A fatality at Kenmare and The Bowery (BoweryBoogie)

Introducing Marty After Dark. First up: Ray's! (Marty After Dark)

Harvey Wang discusses Adam Purple's earthwork The Garden of Eden (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

A Valentine's Day scene from Tompkins Square Park (Nadie Se Conoce)

Bloomy likes his beer with ice (City Room)

Using East Village graffiti as teachable moment in the classroom (DNAinfo)

A very large box of mac and cheese (Neighborhoodr)

Transient Pioneers! O Transient Pioneers! (Lux Living)

And Fashion Week at Billy's ... where the new theme is "this ain't Rag and Bonehead."

[Photo: Kristian Holm]

Interpreting the 35 Cooper Square Stop Work Order

As Runnin' Scared reported earlier today, the DOB slapped a Stop Work Order on the front of 35 Cooper Square. Like this one...

I don't know much about the law or lawyers, though Sam Waterston has his moments. EV Grieve reader Patrick made some sense of it...

So the provision they violated was Section 28-105.1 of the NYC Administrative Code. Title 28 of the Admin Code is the Construction code, Chapter 1 is the Administrative chapter, and Article 105 is the Permits article.

Section 105.1 says they can't do work until the commissioner issues a permit for the specific work they want to do. Given how fast they started working, we're guessing they just didn't file permits for a bunch of stuff. By not applying for permits, the owners were probably trying to cut some costs (either of filing or of complying with something). Entirely illegal work happens all the time in NYC, of course.

Here's the text of the section. He broke it down for readability purposes.

§ 28-105.1. General.


It shall be unlawful

- to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, remove or change the use or occupancy of any building or structure in the city,

OR

- to erect, install, alter, repair, or use or operate any sign or service equipment in or in connection therewith,

OR

- to erect, install, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any gas, mechanical, plumbing or fire suppression system in or in connection therewith

OR

- to cause any such work to be done

UNLESS AND UNTIL a written permit therefore [sic; therefor? -Ed.] shall have been issued by the commissioner in accordance with the requirements of this code, subject to such exceptions and exemptions as may be provided in section 28-105.4.

The exceptions in 105.4 are 1) emergency work, 2) minor alterations & ordinary repairs, 3) public utility work, 4) ordinary plumbing work, and 5) sign permits. Also note that "unlawful" doesn't mean violation of the section exposes you to criminal liability or liability in tort; just means you gotta comply with it if you're going to go forward.

Writes Patrick: "It's likely only a temporary issue. Go get your last glimpses in, because they'll apply for the permit, have it approved (little in the way, given that it's not under Landmarks protection), then proceed as planned."

[Image via Runnin' Scared]

Stop Work Order signs posted at 35 Cooper Square

Likely just prolonging the agony for the moment. But! Myles Tanzer at Runnin' Scared notes that Stop Work Orders have been posted at 35 Cooper Square. To no surprise, when Tanzer called the DOB for comment, DOB officials didn't know anything about the permits. Read the post here.

[Image via Runnin' Scared]

35 Cooper Square, 'this much-beloved little building,' dies at age 186

35 Cooper Square, an active part of the Lower East Side community for nearly 200 years, died yesterday following a short bout with new developers. The cause was impending demolition, said the New York City Department of Buildings.

Historians believe 35 Cooper Square was born in 1825.

The oldest building on Cooper Square, and one of the oldest buildings of the original Bowery, this charming Federal style building with the traditional gambrel roof, twin-pedimented dormers, and large end chimneys also boasts historical and cultural associations ranging from a direct descendant of Peter Stuyvesant to much later habitation by Diane DiPrima, the most influential woman of the Beat Generation.

"[W]hen I first laid eyes on 35 Cooper Square, I knew it was the fulfillment of all those fantasies of art and the artist’s life, la vie de boheme ... it was my dream house," DiPrima wrote in "Memoirs of a Beatnik."

Originally called 391 Bowery, 35 Cooper Square was owned in the early 1800s by Nicholas William Stuyvesant, great-grandson of Peter Stuyvesant. When he died in 1833, the building passed through several hands, including an undertaker, a teacher, a hotelier and a saloon owner.

According to Jeremiah's Vanishing New York, "In the 20th century, it became a home for artists. Painter and photographer J. Forrest Vey lived there after World War II. He rented the upstairs dormer rooms for $5 apiece to people like Joel Grey, star of 'Cabaret,' and Claude Brown, author of Manchild in the 'Promised Land.'"

"This much-beloved little building has been both a significant participant and a surviving witness to New York City history for nearly 200 years! Under the stipulations of the Landmarks Law, it qualifies on architectural, historical and cultural criteria for designation as a NYC individual landmark," said David Mulkins, chair/co-founder of the Bowery Alliance of Neighbors

35 Cooper Square stood for 40 U.S. Presidents, from James Madison to Barack Obama, as well as the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The building was no stranger to controversy. For instance, in 2004, Cooper Union, the building’s previous owner, painted over a 9/11 tribute mural to make room for revenue-generating advertising.

"The building itself is a rare specimen that has remained standing since the transition of the Bowery from a residential area to one that was home to a variety of commercial venues in the early 19th century," said New York Assemblymember Deborah Glick. "While there have been some changes made to the façade of 35 Cooper Square, the building still retains its original twin peaked dormers, chimney, and gambrel roof, and is unmistakably representative of a bygone era in New York City history."

On Jan. 28, advocacy groups, historians, elected officials and East Village residents held a rally at 35 Cooper Square urging the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to designate the property a historic landmark. However, the LPC declined to take action, according to various published reports.

The current owner of 35 Cooper is the Arun Bhatia Development Organization, which has built dorms for the New School and seven condo towers, most recently 139 Wooster Street, and an unnamed partner. Arun Bhatia and its partner bought the land in an all-cash deal for $8.5 million last November. The combined lot size is approximately 4,833 square feet, in a C6-1 zone, with a total buildable of approximately 28,998 square feet.

35 Cooper Square is survived by several cousins on the Bowery. In lieu of flowers, loved ones are urged to help support the remaining historic properties that continue to face demolition throughout the city.

[Top images via Bowery Alliance of Neighbors]

Superdive still threatening to return

Superdive was on last night's CB3/SLA agenda... Team Dive was a no show at the January CB3/SLA meeting, though they claim they never filed the paperwork to be on the docket...

So, prior to last night's meeting, I asked the Divers via e-mail if they'd attend the meeting. Short answer: No. (And, true to that, they were not there.)

Long answer:

"Susan Stetzer took it upon herself ... to put superdive on the agenda for the renewal. which does happen until the end of april and we are not required to notify until march but alas

let the facts be clear:

since 1/24/10 there have been no incidents, complaints about or violations issued at 200 avenue A.

superdive — superclean for over a year!

we would love to attend this hatchet trial but alas in no way would poppadive not be with mommadive on valentine's day.

and one day a real rain will come, an people's uprising, and swept away in the tidal wave of history will be the despotic demonic tyrannical "community" board.

WHO NEEDS DEMOCRACY WHEN YOU HAVE SUPERDIVE?

LONG LIVE SUPERDIVE

RETURNING SPRING 2011

Gleaming the 2 Coop

You have to be a little creative around Cooper Square these days since Cooper Union officials placed metal spikes on its skateboard ramp fancy design thingee last July.

Anyway, just down the way, 2 Cooper Square, with its roof pool and $20,000 apartments, is filling the void...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Gleaming the Coop

Also at 2 Cooper Square

Skateboarders aren't the only people making use of 2 Cooper Square's currently vacant retail sidewalk space... some less-fortunate souls are also finding refuge here...

The Blarney Cove has a (fake Zagat rated) menu!

Never noticed this before... a reader sends along a photo of the Blarney Cove menu... mini burgers ($3), knishes ($1.50), pizza ($1.50) and quesadillas ($2.50). The photo is a little blurry... but you can see that someone has written in "Zagat rated."

Anyway, add a beer to these four menu items and you have the five food groups represented, of course ...

Warming up to RCN's blue wall on Avenue C

Last Tuesday, we pointed out that the first tags had appeared on the RCN building on Avenue C at Sixth Street since workers painted over Chico's murals last November...

And now... a few more appear...

Not the Icicle Audi

We received an e-mail from a reader yesterday noting that the ice-free Icicle Audi was parked again on East Second Street...

Sure, it's an Audi, but it's not the Audi.

In fact, there's no more Icicle Audi! The Post had an article earlier today about the Icicle Audi owner trading in his Icicle Audi for a new car.

And a quick look back at the VERY FIRST photo of the Icicle Audi taken on Jan. 23 ... courtesy of RyanAvenueA ...

And I still have the Icicle Audi ice for sale...

You could buy this or an old Staten Island Ferry.

Towing alert

Dunno why marshals are towing cars....

Sixth Street, 8:20 p.m., Feb. 14

Via @kashhill

Smelling smoke above Diablo Royal Este

EV Grieve contributor Bobby Williams noted that fire crews responded to the report of smoke this afternoon around 3:50... they were looking at the space above Diablo Royale Este on Avenue A... There weren't any reports of anything amiss, though.

Bowery balloons

In time for Valentine's Day?

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

Workers with axes going at 35 Coop's roof (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

Thor-Grim reacts to the Post's Hell Angels article at Ray's (Nadie Se Conoce)

New coffee shop on Allen Street (BoweryBoogie)

A 3-bedroom house on Avenue B with a nice yard?! (Blah Blog Blog)

Still thinking about going out to eat tonight? (Eater)

More on wine sales in grocery stores (Runnin' Scared)

Couples spend Valentine's weekend doing volunteer work on Avenue D (DNAinfo)

Graffiti on East 10th Street in legal battle over 'Pop Rocks' dish (The Post)

And EV Grieve reader Michael passes along of a First Avenue bicycle lane barrier from earlier today...

'For sale' sign snaps, prompts FDNY visit

EV Grieve reader Alex R. passes along these photos from East Ninth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue ... "A (long time) for-sale sign finally snapped while I walked by today. The wind was sending it swinging wildly. Heavy sheet metal — could have seriously hurt someone if it fell!"

"FDNY showed up and promptly took it down before the other hook could snap. Thanks guys!"

City OKs demolition at 35 Cooper Square

That was fast. The demolition permits were just filed this morning. Here's the application.

Breaking: Demolition permits filed for 35 Cooper Square

This news comes via Andrew Berman at the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation. As he writes: "While they have not been approved yet, as I understand this is simply a matter of filing all the appropriate paperwork; these are sometimes granted as quickly as the same day." Here's the filing.

What we know about 35 Cooper Square right now

Let's get caught up on what's happening at 35 Cooper Square... On Saturday, crews were on the scene to remove asbestos, according to one of the workers who wasn't wearing any protective clothing...

And here's the scene on Sunday....

So the official word from the developer is they're simply removing asbestos. So, let's take that at face value... So where are the notices for asbestos removal? Such as the one here when workers removed asbestos at St. Brigid's?



And where's the asbestos-safe dumpster like the one on the scene last summer outside the Tisch School for the Arts on Second Avenue?








And according to a comment by @Roger_Paw:

I talked to one of the workers [Saturday]. He was locking up the outer shed. I asked him if it were true that they were removing asbestos. He said yes. I asked if the building was going to be demolished and he said yes, in a week. I wanted to make sure I understood so I asked, "OK, so asbestos removal now, demolition in a week?" and he said yes.

So does anyone believe what's going on here? Per commenter Rob: "So even if it's an asbestos abatement it may be a prelim to demolition, and it looks like they haven't complied with the law anyway."