Monday, September 8, 2014

Welcome to a 'Slow Zone'



We spotted the first of the new "Neighborhood Slow Zone" signs the other morning ... this one on St. Mark's Place just east of First Avenue.

To recap! The Alphabet City-Tompkins Square Slow Zone is the community-based program that reduces the speed limit within designated zones from 30 mph to 20 mph. (Read the background about all this here.)

The map below shows the designated Slow Zone — First Avenue east to the FDR, and from East Second Street north to East 14th Street.


[Click image to enlarge]

In addition to the 20 mph speed limit (15 mph near schools), a Slow Zone area features speed bumps (21 here) and new striping and signage to slow drivers.

CB3 member Chad Marlow helped put the plan in motion for the East Village early last year.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Call for an East Village 'slow zone' (34 comments)

More about the timing of the Tompkins Square/Alphabet City Slow Zone

Alphabet City-Tompkins Square Slow Zone to take effect in August

GG's announces itself on East 5th Street



The awning is up now at GG's, the new restaurant taking over the Goat Town space at 511 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Goat Town owner Nick Morgenstern closed the bistro in early July after four years. His new chef, Bobby Hellen, "will forage the back garden for ingredients, including anise hyssop for the devout Mets fan’s 1986 Pizza, topped with spicy soppressata and fennel agrodolce," according to New York magazine.

And here's an interior shot...



As for GG's, New York noted — "its name a tribute to a neighborhood local." This former local?

Thanks to EVG reader Sal on Fifth St. for the top photo.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Goat Town is closing to make way for a pizzeria

The transformation of Goat Town to GG's on East 5th Street

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Week in Grieview



Revisiting the summer of 2014 (Monday)

NYPD looking for this suspect in knifepoint holdup (Wednesday)

The last East Village gas station closes (Wednesday)

Local pols and residents speak out against Kushner (Friday)

First stage of portico repair and restoration complete at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery (Thursday)

Maybe Whole Foods isn't so expensive? (Thursday, 36 comments)

The Whitehouse is temporarily closing on the Bowery (Tuesday)

Out and About with the check-cashing guy (Wednesday)

Subway on First Avenue closes (Friday)

A revamped Perbacco reopens (Thursday)

Here's your new Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins combo on East 14th Street (Tuesday)

RIP The Crack™ (Thursday)

Just looking for a friend (Wednesday)

Santa Barbara Deli Superette closes for renovations (Friday)

The Albino Bowler doesn't make the moving-day cut (Tuesday)

Katz's sells its air rights (Sunday)

Friday, September 5, 2014

The view downtown this morning



Looking south from the East Village around 9 via Bobby Williams...

A place in the 'Sun'



Here's Fucked Up with "Sun Glass," from the band's June release "Glass Boys."

You can go see them tomorrow night at Irving Plaza too.

Subway on 1st Avenue for rent



The one between East 13th Street and East 14th Street… Unfortunately, it appears the new management didn't work out.

This location also closed in October 2012.

Thanks to EVG reader Pinch for the photo…

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition


[East 12th Street]

Shakespeare & Co. closed last night (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

When the neighborhood had a Manhattan Street (Off the Grid)

Some history of St. Mark's Place (Curbed)

Ben Shaoul confirmed as buyer of East Houston block that presumably includes Katz's air rights (BoweryBoogie)

Orchard Street has a master plan (The Lo-Down)

An Edward D. Wood Jr. retrospect starts soon at the Anthology (Anthology Film Archives)

Kossar’s wants to save the bialy (Tablet)

When Astor Place had some more space (Flaming Pablum)

Talking to Cooper Union freshmen
about tuition (DNAinfo)

Your end of summer hawk update (Gog in NYC)

Ranking the Ramones records (Rolling Stone)

… and East Village resident Randeep Katari and his girlfriend were set to move a few blocks last weekend… without any warning, he said that the management company sent painters/cleaners one day before the move (and one day before the lease was set to expire) … and his laptop went missing … which he illustrated here

[Updated] Noted



Spotted on the R stop at Eighth Street and Broadway this morning by @davidsokol

Real? Fake? Who knows! We didn't spot any @jesswi94 on Twitter…

Updated 5:02 p.m.

Oh, she has a Twitter account now…

Report: Local politicos criticize Kushner's treatment of tenants at 170-174 E. 2nd St.


[No. 170 under construction via Yenta Laureate]

Yesterday afternoon, Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and some remaining tenants residing at 170-174 E. Second St. held a press conference to discuss ongoing issues with landlord of nine months Jared Kushner and his management company, Westminster City Living.

DNAinfo's Lisha Arino was there and filed this report:

“The owners of this building need to realize they’re not just accountable to the tenants in this building — they’re accountable to all of us because we care and we’re a community, and they’re accountable to me as the councilwoman of this district,” Mendez said at the press conference, which took place in front of the buildings.

Rent-stabilized tenants in both buildings have complained of poor living conditions and harassment since Kushner took over 170-174 E. Second St. last December.

And!

Brewer called the actions “abhorrent” and said there was no excuse for Kushner and Westminster’s behavior.

A Kushner rep denied the allegations in a statement to DNAinfo.

Read the whole article here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Inside a classic East Village tenement before the whole building is renovated

Jared Kushner not done buying every walk-up in the East Village

Two East 2nd St. buildings sell for $17.5 million; will new owner still honor Allen Ginsburg?

Tenants claim: Kushner and Westminster want to destroy this building's beautiful garden

Reports outline how Kushner Companies is aggressively trying to empty 170-174 E. 2nd St.

Local politicos join residents of 2 Jared Kushner-owned buildings to speak out about poor living conditions, alleged harassment

Santa Barbara Deli Superette closes for renovations



Oh, this is an actual closed for renovation … and not a "closed for renovations (see you later)."

Anyway! The corner market on East 12th Street and Avenue B is getting a new floor and ceiling … and an "installation of new gas service for non-residential cooking," according to DOB records.



No word on a reopening date.

And sporty plywood!

This East 10th Street townhouse includes rooftop shower and garden apartment for staff


[EVG photo]

So 114 E. 10th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue is new to the market.

The listing at Douglas Elliman tells what you will get:

Available immediately and delivered vacant, this turnkey townhouse has been meticulously renovated and is located on the most beautiful tree-lined street in Manhattan's East Village. Laid out over six floors with five bedrooms, four and a half baths, home office, plus a dry basement for storage or a wine cellar, the north and south exposures provide an abundance of natural light and enchanting views of trees and townhouses.

Original features dating back to its 1861 design have been retained and merged with a major structural upgrade and tasteful modern renovations which include, a complete redesign of the roof with a sauna and outdoor shower, professionally designed and landscaped garden, re-glazing of the fireplaces and flue mechanicals and adding gas lines to the fireplaces, all of which work with the click of a button. New central air and heating systems were also added along with recessed lighting, modern wiring for sound and home entertainment, and video-intercom and security alarm systems.

Only the finest materials were used for this masterful design. The landmarked façade features a brownstone base and exposed brick upper levels. A separate entrance under the stoop allows access to a garden-level apartment with its own kitchen that is perfect for staff or visiting friends and family.

And it can belong to you for $7.5 million.

And here are some more photos via Elliman…





Meat and greet


[EVG photo from December probably obviously]

The Voice pays tribute to the great East Village Meat Market, 139 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and East Ninth Street.

The piece offers some history of the space and a rundown on the well-stocked meat counter.

Opened in 1970 by Julian Baczynsky, the store boasts a dated red and blue sign out front and an un-remodeled interior. Store-length deli cases run the length of the shop to the left of the entrance, and numerous Ukrainian and Polish goods line the shelves to the right. The place contains none of the Greek-fraternal vibe now often found in the East Village.

And!

You'll often spy long-time customers. "Do you remember us? We come all the way from Astoria," an elderly couple pushing a cart said to one of the many employees helping customers at the market. Quickly thereafter, Andrew Ilmicki, the longtime store manager, appeared to say hi to the hunched over couple, smiling and welcoming them back.

"The most important part of our business is the people," he told me later. "If you don't welcome them in, they maybe never come back."

Read the whole article here.