There is no news about 51 Astor Place

Well, except that it's gone. Per Bobby William's shot yesterday...

Meanwhile, at the Post yesterday, Steve Cuozzo checked in on several high-profile projects around the city... "We gave owners, brokers, p.r. reps and inside moles a chance to share good news about the following projects, representing billions of dollars of private investment, some bolstered by public subsidies."

He couldn't find any good news about the projects including at 51 Astor Place, which he notes is being built entirely on spec. So the incoming 430,000 square-foot building remains tenantless for now...

And, as you know, it will look like this some day.

Meanwhile, EV Grieve reader Terry Howell shared these photos with us... the first is from Jan. 27, 2011...

And this is from Friday...

We echo Terry's feelings about the building:

"I have watched the demolition of the former Cooper Union building with mixed feelings, mostly deep grief for the loss of the trees. The building itself was meh but I was used to it and I fear what will replace it."

Previously on EV Grieve:
51 Astor Place demolition begins July 1; 17 months to build new black-glass tower

East Village — the new Midtown?

Workers chopping down the trees at 51 Astor Place

2 new delis for Avenue C

Well, we've heard from several correspondents — Dave on 7th, Bobby Williams and Matt LES_Miserable — that a new deli is in the works for the empty storefront on the southwest corner of Avenue C at 11th Street...

The last tenant, the Monk Thrift Shop, closed in December 2010. At the time, neighbors heard that a bank branch would open here.

Anyway, nothing in the DOB paperwork suggests any kind of chain, like, say, a 7-Eleven. Of course, there are already two delis on the other side of 11th Street.

Meanwhile, down Avenue C a bit... at 27 Avenue C between Second Street and Third Street... another new deli is opening...

Again, the DOB permits don't show a chain-related store in the works. The DOB shows that the place is going by "Fresno Gourment Deli."

Previously, 27 Avenue C hosted the New York City Poker Tour.

This is what Tompkins Finest Deli will look like

Well, speaking of new delis... The other day, Bobby Williams passed along photos of the new deli coming to Avenue A near 10th Street... the one that is replacing the previous deli here...

Matt LES_Miserable took a look inside...

He notes: "Looks like every other deli that's opened the last few years. Well, at least they were happy and invited me in to look."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ave. A Mini Market abruptly closes

On second thought, Avenue A Mini Market not reopening

Avenue A Mini Market now without part of its front window

Love and a silverware tray

We always enjoy the more Garry Marshall-movie-sounding Missed Connections ...

silverware tray - w4m - 27 (East Village)
hello strange guy - i just walked into a random junk dollar store on 14th st somewhere between 1st and B looking for a silverware drawer tray and the only other person in there was you, and you were looking for the same thing. we both bought one even though the only option was kind of garbage. you were tall and wearing what looked like a motorcycle helmet. i dont know why i'm writing this, i've never used this before - as far as i know the only thing we have in common is that we both use silverware. as good a foundation as any, i guess.

Today in photos of really big tow trucks on St. Mark's Place

Here to tow away the rest of the neighborhood?

Photo by Bobby Williams.

[UPDATED] What it will cost you to dress like Marky Ramone

[RR Auction]

At the City Room blog today, Aidan Gardiner notes that some Ramones paraphernalia, including Marky's leather jacket, is up for grabs in an online auction at RR Auction.

Per the auction site:

Marky’s iconic leather jacket, stage-worn from 1978 to 1983

Marky Ramone’s owned and stage-used jacket. Black leather jacket by Real Leather, New York–London, was used on stage between 1978–1983, features two US pins on the lapels, a single star pin to each shoulder, zip-up cuffs and a buckle at the waist. Jacket is signed on the back in gold ink “Marky Ramone.” In fine condition, with expected wear from stage use. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity ... bearing the printed signature of Marky Ramone.

Current price: $3,146.

An RR rep told Gardiner that the jacket has been "well maintained and bore no scent of stage sweat." And presumably, no scent of pasta sauce.

Meanwhile...



UPDATED:

Caution! The folks at the City Room are now reporting that Marky is calling bullshit on this one. Marky says that the jacket is not his! Read the rest at City Room.

Two weeks (or so) in the demolition of 9 Second Ave.

After demolishing 11-17 Second Ave., workers turned to the removal of 9 (71/2) Second Ave. on Jan. 5.


Bobby Williams and I walked by (almost) every day to keep tabs on the progress... As you know, all was torn down to make way for a 12-story apartment building...

Friday, Jan. 6

Saturday, Jan. 7 (pics by EVG)

Sunday, Jan. 8 (pics by EVG)

Monday, Jan. 9

Tuesday, Jan. 10

Wednesday, Jan. 11

Thursday, Jan. 12

Friday, Jan. 13

Saturday, Jan. 14

Sunday, Jan. 15 (pics by EVG)

Monday, Jan. 16

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Thursday, Jan. 18 (pic by EVG)

Friday, Jan. 19

Saturday, Jan. 21 (pic by EVG)

Monday, Jan. 23 (pics by EVG)

Read Jeremiah's history of 9 (71/2) Second Ave. here.

Previously.

Wood from the Mars Bar lives on — in a furniture design competition

[Photo by Goggla]

After reading one of our 3,897 Mars Bar-related posts the other day... a reader noted that some of the bar's wood will be used in a design competition titled 12 x 12, in which 12 designers create pieces of furniture out of reclaimed wood from different sites around New York.

Per the 12 x 12 website:

12 x 12 supplies twelve contemporary furniture designers with the reclaimed wood of 12 demolished New York City buildings. The exhibit, planned for the Spring 2012 Design Week, celebrates some of the city's best furniture design, supports wood shop job training in under served communities and advocates for increased lumber reclamation at demolition sites in New York City. Through the exhibition, the material culture of a lost building is renewed by contemporary design that sustains the historical culture of a specific site.

The site gives a rundown on all 12 properties where the wood originated, ranging from a horse stable on East 75th Street that belonged to Joseph Pulitzer to the Coney Island Boardwalk to Atlas Meats in the Meatpacking District. (Find that direct link here.)

From the Mars Bar, the site notes that someone rescued the following: "Antique Eastern Spruce and Vintage Yellow Pine flooring."

Ah, yes. Vintage.

[Photo by Slum Goddess]

Our town

Thanks to EV Grieve regular jdx for sharing this photo of part of the neighborhood...

This is what Fourth Avenue and 10th Street looked like on Jan. 16, 2012

This year, we'll post photos like this of various buildings, streetscenes, etc., to capture them as they looked at this time and place... The photos may not be the most telling now, but they likely will be one day...

7-Eleven on the Bowery unveils its Valentine's Day section

What a lovely way of saying "our relationship is pretty much dead" how much you love me.

h/t Paul Anka.

Today's sign of the apocalypse: IHOP Groupons

More than 1,000 sold. Or bought.

h/t to @chalegaindia & @rkudyba