Meet your new neighbor on Avenue A

[View from Avenue A]

Here's a follow-up to our earlier post about 438 E. 12th St., the residential-retail complex that will replace the Mary Help of Christians lot along Avenue A between East 11th Street and East 12th Street...

Somehow we missed all the renderings that CB3 posted of the new building (thanks Curbed!) ...


[View from East 12th Street]


[View from East 11th Street]

In total, there will be 158 residential units, though it kinda looks more like 11,058 units.

Meanwhile, two blocks away, here's a reminder of what awaits on the corner of East 14th Street...



Previously on EV Grieve:
New residential complex at former Mary Help of Christians lot may include rooftop swimming pool

Out and About in the East Village

In this weekly feature, East Village-based photographer James Maher provides us with a quick snapshot of someone who lives and/or works in the East Village.

By James Maher

Name: Jerry
Occupation: Display Artist and Producer
Location: 12th and 2nd
Time: 5:45 on Monday, Oct. 28

I’ve lived around here for more than 50 years. I came downtown when I was about 18 and I’m now 85. I grew up in the Bronx, escaped from the Bronx, and started music and then art and I worked my way down here.

It was a creative area when I moved downtown and rents were incredibly low. My first place, I lived in a 4-room apartment for $28 a month in the West Village. Then I lived over between Avenue B and C and it was like $18 a month. We fixed the apartment up. We tore the walls down and stripped them and finished the floors and when I left they were getting about $2,000 a month.

When I moved here, it was a neighborhood with a lot of ethnic groups clinging together. There were a lot of Polish people, Jewish, Italian. Lanza’s was where the Mafia used to meet. That was fabulous. At one point there was always a big limo parked outside and someone would be polishing it and it would be one of the dons inside eating. It wouldn’t be anybody else in there but a couple of tables being used. They had their meetings in there.

I met my wife in the neighborhood. I was an artist, designer, and sculptor and she did the same stuff. I had just quit a job that I had for a long time as a display director for Barnes and Nobles. I designed the stores and the interiors. My wife had a display studio on 2nd Avenue and she lived on 2nd Avenue and a mutual friend of ours said that she was in trouble and needed help with her business.

So I came down, we met, and that was it. It changed my life around. We started working and living together 24 hours a day. It was Christmas time so we had all these projects. Christmas time in the display business, you work your ass off. You work 24 hours a day. We worked and lived together for 50 years. She just died last year.

We did displays all over the city, but in the recession of 1973, our business collapsed because we weren’t a union shop. So I went out and started working for other people and corporations. I started producing displays. Not just one at a time, but thousands. When I started I was designing one thing at a time — I designed it, I built it, and I installed it. By the end of my career I was producing thousands of displays that went all over the world. Anything would go as long as you had an idea that would make it happen and make it sell.

Computers changed the world. That’s when everything started to be produced out of the country. All the parts were made in China and Taiwan. I would have to go there to produce the displays. That was an experience. Especially when they fucked up and you had to make them do it right and not lose face. It was a whole psychological thing where you had to go in and tell somebody they screwed up. You couldn’t make them lose respect. You just had to allow them to find a way to correct it, while you suggested ways for them to do it.

I’ve seen things evolve and I was there through the steps as they evolved. Machines started doing what I used to do by hand. I learned all of these pieces and machines that did the individual aspects of where we are now. The technology changed but the concepts and ideas never changed.

James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.

New residential complex at former Mary Help of Christians lot may include rooftop swimming pool

Details are emerging about the residential complex slated to take the place of the former Mary Help of Christians complex that developer Douglas Steiner bought last fall for $41 million.

Plans filed yesterday with the city show that the proposed new building will stand 7 stories with 158 residential units. In total, the complex will be 164,720 square feet. (The building's address will be 438 E. 12th St., not 181 Avenue A as we originally thought.)

Here's more information (PDF) via the CB3 website:

The Project will contain 22 affordable units that will be designated as Inclusionary Housing units under HPD’s Inclusionary Housing Program. These 22 Inclusionary Housing units will consist of 4 studios, 14 one-bedroom units, and 4 two-bedroom units.

CB3's Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee will hear more about the Inclusionary Housing proposal during a meeting on Nov. 13.

Also, via the CB3 website:

The seven (7) story building will be "U" shaped, with interior units facing onto a landscaped courtyard. The building’s façade will be primarily comprised of brick, with metal panel at the penthouse setback level and storefront at the ground floor retail. The building will have residential apartments on all floors, including garden apartments on the cellar level. The first floor apartments will be elevated approximately 3’ above grade, and will be accessible not only by stairs but also by a rear-opening elevator. Approximately 10,000 square feet at the first floor and 8,000 square feet in the cellar are reserved for retail use. To enliven the courtyard façade and offer outdoor space, twenty-five (25) of the courtyard units will have balconies, five (5) of which will be IH Units.

The entrance to the building will be on East 12th Street, and the building will be staffed 24 hours a day by a concierge. Loading and move-ins will take place through a service corridor and entrance on Avenue A. Resident amenities will be housed in the cellar, opening to a landscaped courtyard, and on the top roof of the building. The amenities program is currently contemplated to include a fitness center and lounge in the cellar, as well as a swimming pool and landscaped deck on the roof. Access to these amenities will be fee-based. The fee will be reduced for the residents of the IH Units.

Find the renderings on this EVG post.

Last summer, workers demolished the structures on the Mary Help of Christians lot on Avenue A between East 12th Street and East 11th Street.



Photos by Bobby Williams.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Permits filed to demolish Mary Help of Christians church, school and rectory

Preservationists call for archeological review of former cemetery at Mary Help of Christians site

Scaffolding arrives for demolition of Mary Help of Christians

The 'senseless shocking self-destruction' of Mary Help of Christians

What can we expect on the former Mary Help of Christians property?

Updated: Stromboli Pizza worker killed cycling home from work

EVG reader Aizaz shares this sad news from Stromboli Pizza on First Avenue and St. Mark's Place. Cesar, a familiar face behind the counter, was recently involved in a fatal bicycling accident. (Here is a news report of the accident.)

"Apparently he was on a bicycle going home to Brooklyn after work and was hit by a truck and died from his injuries in the hospital after being in a coma for a few days," Aizaz says.

He leaves behind a wife and three children.

Stromboli has a donation can out on its counter to help his family pay for various expenses resulting from the tragedy.



Says Aizaz, "Cesar had a lot of charm and a very positive attitude about everything we ever chatted about."

Updated 2:30:

A resident who has lived near Stromboli since 1985 has set up a crowdfunding campaign:

Cesar was always a smiling, sunny face behind the counter at Stromboli's Pizza, where he worked for 17 years. While biking home to Brooklyn after a shift on Oct. 21, he was struck by a delivery truck and sustained multiple injuries. He lapsed into a coma at Bellevue hospital and succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 30. This fund is to help with hospital expenses and funeral costs. Cesar was 34 years old and leaves behind a wife and three small children. Stromboli's owner, Joezef, will accompany the body back to Mexico for burial.

Find the GiveForward link here.

The Odessa Cafe and Bar scene moves next door to the Odessa

The Odessa Cafe and Bar at 117 Avenue A closed back on Aug. 31. At the time, we heard that the Cafe and Bar would be resurrected in the back of the Odessa next door at 119 Avenue A.

Well, the new bar made its debut this past weekend.


[Photo last weekend by Shawn Chittle]

So, from Wednesday to Sunday evenings starting at 8, the back section of the Odessa — never all that crowded at this hour anyway — will serve drinks in a cozy ambiance similar to the former Cafe and Bar...


[SC]

Leo, who tended bar and waited on tables at the Cafe (the dark side, if you like), will be serving drinks at the Odessa (the light side, etc.)


[Photo of Leo by Goggla]

No word if they are bringing over the old framed photos of movie stars or the gourds from the former Cafe and Bar...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Odessa Cafe and Bar for sale on Avenue A

Is the end nearing for Odessa Cafe and Bar on Avenue A?

Former GM from Tribeca's Tiny's & the Bar Upstairs part of team to buy the Odessa Cafe

Reader report: Odessa Cafe closes for good after Aug. 15

Reader report: Odessa Cafe and Bar will remain open through Sept. 6

Smorgasburg favorites Schnitz planning restaurant at former Something Sweet on First Avenue

[EVG file photo by Dave on 7th]

Schnitz, which serves old-fashioned schnitzel sandwiches with unconventional toppings at Smorgasburg in Williamsburg and Dumbo, is applying for a beer-wine license for the former Something Sweet space on First Avenue at East 11th Street.

According to paperwork (PDF!) filed ahead of this month's CB3/SLA committee meeting, the quick-serve restaurant will hold 12 tables... with proposed hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; until 12:30 a.m. Thursday-Saturday; and noon-10 p.m. on Sunday.

Schnitz will serve sandwiches, soups and salads from its East Village location.

You can find their menu here.

I've never heard of Schnitz (or been to Smorgasburg, for that matter)... but I know that people like their food.

Here's an item on their food via Alan Richman at GQ:

I daringly tried a schnitzel, one of the least likable foods on earth. Allow me to sum up the attraction: hot, dry, fried meat on a hot, dry, summer afternoon. It's worth noting that during the preparation of schnitzel, the meat is often hit repeatedly with a hammer.

The purveyor was Schnitz, and the sandwich I selected, called Mrs. Child, turned out to be the dish of the day, a breaded chicken cutlet that was juicy within and crunchy on the outside. Such perfect texture is virtually impossible to achieve with veal, the preferred meat of German and Austrian schnitzel eaters. Fortunately, there were none around to complain. The schnitzel came on a Tom Cat pretzel roll with celery-root remoulade, which makes anything taste better.

Something Sweet, the family-owned bakery, had been closed since July 2012. There had apparently been a variety of issues, from problems with the landlord to health-related concerns for a family member.

The committee meeting is Monday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. — Community Board 3 Office, 59 East 4th Street (between 2nd Avenue and the Bowery).

Mudspot Café prepping kiosk for service in First Park

As we first reported on Oct. 10, Mudspot Café was taking over the food and beverage service from S'MAC in the kiosk off of East Houston and East First Street.

As you can see, there's a lot of progress to report here in First Park ... or, perhaps, Mud Park...



Updated 9:45 a.m.
Mudspot General Manager Yasmina Palumbo told us that they hoped to be open in November. From the looks of things, it's possible that it could happen sooner rather than later... said that Mud Park will be ready to serve in just a couple more weeks.

"We must look more ready than we realized because we've had a lot of people try to order coffee in the last few days!"

Previously on EV Grieve:
More about S'MAC's decision to leave First Park

Mudspot Café opening at the First Park kiosk next month

Report: Empire Biscuit opens today

[Photo from last week]

Empire Biscuit officially opens this morning at 8, according to DNAinfo. (Empire was open last night from 6-10.)

Per DNA:

The flaky Southern favorites will be topped with a selection of gourmet spreads, including goat cheese and black pepper butter, pineapple and thyme jam and pumpkin pie spread, owners Jonathan Price and Yonadav Tsuna said.

Here is their menu:




Starting Friday, Empire — located at 198 Avenue A — will be open 24 hours. The space was previously home to Habibi Lounge.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Incoming Empire Biscuit on Avenue A launches Kickstarter campaign (121 comments)

8 p.m., Avenue C, Oct. 29, 2012 and 2013

Photos courtesy of Andrew Adam Newman on Ave C.

'My Dead Boyfriend' filming in Tompkins Square Park

Crews arrived today for a two-day shoot in Tompkins Square Park for "My Dead Boyfriend." There's promise here ... because the film is based on Arthur Nersesian's novel "Dogrun," which is set in the East Village in 1999.

Here's a description of the book:

Mary Bellanova came home to her east village apartment, cooked dinner, and fought with her boyfriend, Primo. But soon Mary realized that Primo's silence in front of the tv set was more than just one of his bad moods: Primo was actually dead.

Suddenly Mary's life — defined so far by a string of temp jobs and unfinished short stories — takes off on a tantalizing adventure as she follows a trail of Primo's ex-lovers ... in this powerful new novel edged with black humor and poignancy.

Heather Graham (below) plays the lead... "ER" star Anthony Edwards makes his directorial debut.

You have 1 hour left to get a free hot dog at Japadog today

Japadog on St. Mark's Place is handing out freebies today to celebrate selling their 1 millionth hot dog, per DNAinfo. Just till 5!

Still haven't had one of these things...

[Photo by Derek Berg]

The spectacular now

Scenes of fall from around the neighborhood ...

[Updated] East 14th Street synagogue up for sale considered for landmark designation

[Image via Manhattan Sideways]

As we reported on Oct. 1, the Tifereth Israel Town and Village Synagogue on East 14th Street is for sale for possible development.

Upon hearing of the sale, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and a coalition of East Village, preservation, and Jewish history groups reached out to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) urging them to consider the building for landmark designation. (Find the group's letter here.)

According to the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, the building has an amazing history, having served as first a German Baptist Church, then a Ukranian Autocephalic Orthodox Church, and then a Conservative Synagogue for the last 50 years. Interestingly enough, the building was calendared by the LPC and considered for landmark designation in 1966, but they never acted upon it.

Now in response to the group's request, the LPC will hold a hearing on the potential landmark designation of the property today. (Find the PDF notice here.)

"We’re very glad that this wonderful building will get its proverbial day in court, and we are optimistic that the Commission will find it worthy of designation," said Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.

Updated 8:02
Turns out that the LPC hearing on the synagogue has been laid over to another month. No word just yet on a new date.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] East 14th St. synagogue on the market for conversion to residential, commercial use

1 if by land, 2 if by sea, 3 if by plywood: Yes, there's a 7-11 inside there

Construction of the incoming 7-Eleven is entering its 13th month of painful gut rehabilitation and disruptive construction on Avenue A and East 11th Street... EVG reader Cartknocker was curious to see just what was going on behind that plywood... Luckily, the plywood is easy enough to scale...



Yes, that is a 7-Eleven.



Meanwhile, the No 7-Eleven blog has a recap of Sunday's No 7-Eleven rally right here.

Sandy on Avenue C

This video, uploaded just last week, was shot from East 11th Street at Avenue C one year ago tonight ... and it shows the Sandy storm surge headed down the Avenue ...

A series of images from that night and the next morning starts at the 3:30 mark.

One year later on East Sixth Street

As far as we know, these are the only temporary boilers that remain in the neighborhood from Sandy... on East Sixth Street at Avenue C outside this NYCHA-owned building.

Of course, there are other less-visible lingering effects from the storm...

Tonight in Saint Rita of Cascia sightings on East 11th St.

Framed photo of the Patron Saint of the Impossible spotted near Avenue B... Photo via Shawn Chittle.

Meanwhile, on East Ninth Street...

Likely a perfectly logical explanation for this.

[Photo via Barbara Ross]

Westside Market coming to the East Village

The new residential complex rising on Third Avenue and East 12th Street has its first retail client — a Westside Market NYC.

Here's the official news release from today:

Westside Market NYC, the family-owned and operated neighborhood food markets in New York City, has announced that it will be opening its latest location at the base of the new luxury rental building, 84 Third Avenue. Located in the East Village on the corner of East 12th Street, this marks the fifth Westside Market NYC, and the first for the brand to be located on the East Side of Manhattan.

Offering freshly-prepared foods, specialty products and catering, the two-level store will occupy 18,871 total square feet – 10,500 square feet at the ground level and the remaining space at the lower level. Noticing a gap in the market for food retailers in the area, representatives from 84 Third Avenue felt that adding Westside Market NYC to the building would help further elevate the offerings at the nine-story, 90,000 square foot residential development and the neighborhood overall.

“Since the original Westside Market NYC was opened by my father, John, in 1965, we have worked diligently to provide the best supermarket experience to residents along the West Side of Manhattan,” said George Zoitas, CEO of Westside Market NYC. “After 48 years, four locations, and many people asking when Westside Market NYC would meet the East Side, we felt that the opportunity with 84 Third Avenue was the perfect introduction for our brand to the other side of Manhattan.”

Currently under construction, Westside Market NYC and 84 Third Avenue will be completed early next summer.

The space here was previously home to Nevada Smith's, Yummy House and a parking lot.

I'm familiar with the Westside Markets, though I've never shopped at one. Can anyone offer their opinion on them?

Oh, good morning!

EVG reader Ingrid shares these photos from yesterday morning... when a red-tailed hawk visited her fire escape on East Seventh Street and Avenue A.

"[The hawk] tormented my cats for about 3-5 minutes before flying away."

Learn how to play guitar like Lee Ranaldo tonight at Other Music

Lee Ranaldo, the prolific artist-writer-musician best known as the guitarist for Sonic Youth, is appearing tonight at Other Music...

Per the store's website:

That's right, Lee Ranaldo's going to be taking time out of his busy tour schedule supporting his new album, Last Night on Earth, to stop by Other Music on Monday evening, October 28, to host his first ever Guitar Clinic. Not only will there be a discussion and demonstration from this iconic axe man, but you'll also walk out with a signed poster!

He also has a new album out with Lee Ranaldo and the Dust. Meanwhile, here's something off his "Between The Times and The Tides" record from last year...



---

H/T Dangerous Minds

More speculation on the 'saint' who saved St. Brigid's

In May 2008, the Archdiocese of New York announced that it had accepted an anonymous $20 million donation to restore St. Brigid's on Avenue B and save it from demolition.

To date, the donor's name was never made public. But there was a lot of speculation... including, but not limited to: Matt Dillon (he spoke out to help save the church), Donald Trump and George Steinbrenner.

Now another name has emerged from a reliable source — Mel Gibson.



Apparently the actor-director donated to a lot of religious causes, including for preservation... (And this was pre-divorce settlement.)

If this is true, then thank you Mr. Gibson. Nice that one historic church was spared the condo after-life here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
13 keys dates in the 165-year history of St. Brigid's, reopening on Sunday