Construction watch: 401 E. 8th St.

The new residential building at 397-401 E. Eighth St. at Avenue D is rising quickly...



A nine-story building with 33 units — and a penthouse! — is in the works.

And to chart the progress to date, here's a look at the building in early August...



... and mid-July...



And one day...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Meanwhile, before we christen Avenue D the next Greenpoint...

Stalled development site on Eighth Street and Avenue D asking $5.2 million

Long-stalled East 8th Street lot coming back as 9-story residential building — with penthouse

Learn about the art history of 404 E. 14th St.

Since the 1960s, 404 E. 14th St. (aka 405 E. 13th St.) has hosted and housed a dynamic community of artists, poets and filmmakers, a long list that includes Claes and Patty Oldenburg, John Chamberlain and Yayoi Kusama.

Tom Burckhardt, who moved into the building in 1995, put together an exhibit last summer featuring the works of 404's many artists through the years.

Tonight at Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place, Burckhardt is presenting a slideshow and discussion of the microcosm art scene of 50 years at this one special address. It's free, but you do need to RSVP. (Call 212-475-9585 ext. 35 or email here.)

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is hosting the event. Find more info here. The lecture is 6:30-8 p.m.

Previously on EV Grieve:
404 E. 14th St.: The coolest building that you will find with a McDonald's on the ground floor

Today in photos of a large praying mantis on East 5th Street

EVG contributor Derek Berg spotted this on East Fifth Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square ...



And one more thing for the East Fifth St. Tree Committee to worry about ...

Noted

Fuck you @CitibikeNYC

— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) September 7, 2014

Background here.

1 explanation for that lousy parking job on East 11th Street

EVG reader mdmn spotted this parking job on East 11th Street near Amsterdam Billiards at Fourth Avenue yesterday afternoon.

Just an awful parking effort by someone in a rush to play pool?

The car was parked directly across from the the delivery gates at the Cooper Station Post Office.

Hey, there's a note.



Perhaps the force of the collision forced the car up on the sidewalk?



Other theories welcome, probably.

149 First Ave. landlord told to make building 'safe immediately'

[EVG file photo]

Back in early August, the landlord (Lee Odell, c/o 149 Associates, LLC) sent tenants of 149 First Ave. a "notice of non-renewal and vacate request."

To refresh your memory, according to the letter:

"We have been advised by our engineer that the building has serious deterioration issues and has to be rebuilt and most probably demolished.

As a matter of safety, we have to vacate all the apartments in the building.

Please do not take longer than 90 days to leave. Thank you."

The only violation on file with the Department of Buildings was a failure to file an annual boiler inspection report from 2012.

Meanwhile, the residents of the building between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street banded together and worked with various housing advocates to fight the evictions.

On Friday, the city issued the following "Notice of Violation and Hearing."


[Click on image to enlarge]

Visiting conditions observed include "Failure to Maintain Building in a Code Compliant Manner."

And the city's remedy for the landlord: "Make safe immediately — repair and maintain."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Landlord tells residents of 149 First Ave. that they need to vacate ahead of demolition

1st Avenue residents meeting tonight to discuss mass eviction notice

New sidewalk bridge temporarily keeps Stage owner from his restaurant

On Saturday afternoon, a crew arrived (unannounced) to erect a sidewalk bridge outside 128 Second Ave.

Unfortunately, this happened while the Stage was open for business. And when owner Roman Diakun (in the blue T-shirt below) had stepped away for a moment.

He had to helplessly watch for some 20 minutes while the crew blocked the door to the restaurant to build the safety structure, as these photos by EVG reader Jonathan Jones show.







As we first reported last fall, the building here just south of St. Mark's Place that houses the Stage was sold to rooftop-rager specialists Icon Realty. The building is currently undergoing a gut renovation. One remaining tenant says there aren't many residents left. It has not been easy here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
An appreciation: Breakfast at Stage

Troubling talk about 128 Second Ave, and the long-term future of the Stage

CityMD Urgent Care center coming to The Jefferson's retail space on East 14th Street

The Jefferson's retail space at 216 E. 14th St. near Third Avenue had been used to sell "21st Century living in the heart of Olde New York."

The 82-unit building in the North West East Village is all sold out of course… and work permits for storefront show that a CityMD Urgent Care center will be housed here. The quickly expanding CityMD practice has more than 30 locations in NYC and Long Island.

Meanwhile, we wonder what happened to The Jefferson model from the sales center… we were doing a low-budget "Godzilla" shoot and needed some props…



Previously on EV Grieve:
Jefferson retail façade — revealed

The Mystery Lot developers using famous dead comedians to sell condos at The Jefferson

The Jefferson reveals what '21st Century living in the heart of Olde New York' costs

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

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)

The 44th annual East 10th Street Block Fair is today

Between Second Avenue and Third Avenue … and likely not a bag of $10 tube socks in sight...

'Spring Sales Event' continues this September at Synergy Fitness Clubs

As the sign here on East 14th Street near Second Avenue says, "Hurry Sale Ends Soon."

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.

Waxing moon over 2nd Avenue

Local astronomy buff Felton Davis was out last night on Second Avenue near East First Street for some moon gazing. It's a warm-up of sorts for next week.

"I only hope that the Full Moon on Monday will be as cool and clear."

Tweet of the day

Someone is driving around the East Village BLASTING Joan Rivers stand up through their car speakers and it is wonderful

— Julia Mattison (@JuliaMat) September 4, 2014

Rest area

Avenue C between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street … photo via Bobby Williams

Noted

Reports Bloomberg News via Crain's New York:

Whole Foods Market Inc., working to shed its "Whole Paycheck" image, has become one of the cheaper chains for grocery shopping in Manhattan, according to a report by Bloomberg Intelligence.

A basket of 97 items, including orange juice and frozen pizza, was $391.39 at Whole Foods, compared with $398.44 from Fresh Direct and $458.84 at Gristedes, according to the study ...

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

[EVG file photo]

Tenant-landlord tensions continue at 170-174 E. Second St., the site of two walk-ups that developer/New York Observer publisher Jared Kushner bought last December.

In July, CB3's Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee heard firsthand about allegations of tenant harassment and quality-of-life issues brought on by gut renovations.

As DNAinfo reported:

Real estate scion Jared Kushner is using lawsuits, disruptive construction and neglect to force rent-stabilized tenants out of two buildings he owns in the East Village, as he converts them to high-end apartments, according to court documents and residents.

This afternoon at 1, Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and the Cooper Square Committee will join the remaining tenants residing at 170-174 E. Second St.

Per the media alert, "Everyone will speak about the poor and unsustainable living conditions including perceived harassment by the landlord and his agents."

The news conference will be outside the buildings between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Here's more from the media alert:

The tenants have faced a lack of repairs, overzealous construction, and lack of communication about the ongoing construction in the buildings, resulting in five ceiling collapses and no functioning mailbox for nearly two weeks. In addition, building construction has resulted in a shutoff of gas, routine unannounced hot and cold water distributions, and severe dust and debris accumulation.

Jared Kushner has owned the buildings for about 8 months. Over the period of Kushner’s ownership of the buildings, there has been a 70 percent turnover rate.

Kushner paid $17.5 million for the two buildings.

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.

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

We noticed yesterday that workers removed the scaffolding from outside St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery on Second Avenue at East 10th Street.

Since April, workers have been repairing and restoring the historic church's portico…





According to Rev. Winnie Varghese, the church's rector, this completes the first stage of the project. The portico floor and accessibility project will likely happen next year.

"We're proud of how much got done — much more than we thought we could do when we started this spring," she told us via Facebook."The portico ironwork is completely restored."

Read more about the restoration, including the funding, over at the church's website here.

And as a bonus, here's maybe the oldest-known photo of the church circa 1865…


[Photo via Roger Jack Walters at Facebook]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Portico restoration begins at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery

Mourning The Crack™ in Tompkins Square Park

[Image via 2wavv]

Some local skateboarders are in mourning... after several attempts through the years, workers have finally filled in The Crack™ in the ballpark/skateboard area in the northwest corner of Tompkins Square Park.

Our friends at Quartersnacks have the scoop:

The Crack™ is gone. It has been filled with an effective tarlike substance that renders the inch-wide cavity obsolete.

[Image via Quartersnacks]

Here's video footage from a few years back about how to navigate The Crack™ — "the Park’s longest standing obstacle."



Perhaps The Crack™ will be back again some day...