Christo on Christmas Eve in Tompkins Square Park via Bobby Williams...
Saturday, December 24, 2016
A-Paving We Go!
And in other
Thank you Suzy and Jack
A holiday gift in Tompkins Square Park...
Not sure if it's still filled with caramel corn or maybe frozen embryos.
Friday, December 23, 2016
Reports: Office building in the works for current home of P.C. Richard on 14th Street
In November 2015, the city's Economic Development Corp. (EDC) began accepting proposals to redevelop the city-owned site that P.C. Richard (and Son!) has leased the past 19 years.
And now, a short 13 months later, the de Blasio administration has selected RAL Development Services, a real-estate firm, to develop the site, as Politico first reported.
According to Politico, Civic Hall — "a tech-focused work and event space" — will anchor the space.
In a public notice, EDC described it as "an opportunity to create an iconic commercial development that drives inclusive economic growth through the diversification of the city's economy, the retooling of NYC's traditional anchor industries and/or support for both start-ups and early stage growing companies to scale up while remaining in the city."
As The Real Deal reported, RAL Development Services is "one of the companies behind a controversial residential project in Brooklyn Bridge Park."
Anyway, it's not exactly clear what else is in store for the two-level space ... and if demolition is in the future. NY Yimby reported this about the property: "The 15,450-square-foot site ... can accommodate up to 92,700 square feet of commercial space. An additional 46,350 square feet of space could be built as residential or community facility space."
There aren't any demotion permits on file yet.
As for P.C. Richard and family, its lease expired back in February. Despite media reports to the contrary, this P.C. Richard remains open, having been relegated to mattress sales. And maybe some appliances.
EV Grieve Etc.: Union Square theater panic; the holiday season at Rolf's
[Photo by Derek Berg]
The Subway Therapy Post-It walls coming in book form (Gothamist)
A look at the new Chrystie Street protected bike lane (Streetsblog)
The sad state of Lanza's on First Avenue (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)
Swift Hibernian Lounge tops this list of the city's best pubs (Grub Street)
Man causes panic at the Union Square theater during a screening of "La La Land" (DNAinfo)
The last bookbinder on the LES (Literary Hub)
A video interview with Ray of Ray's Candy Store (Gothamist)
Speaking of Ray, he unveiled an fish-and-chips ($9) this week...
[Photo by Peter Brownscombe]
Will anyone listen to the concerns of residents about the Two Bridges mega projects? (The Lo-Down)
Revisiting the 1898 Bowery Burlesquers (Ephemeral New York)
Pearl & Ash closes after three years on the Bowery (Eater)
Celebrating the life and legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat, who was born on Dec. 22, 1960 (Off the Grid)
A December day with Christo (Laura Goggin Photography)
The holiday season at Rolf's (Town & Village)
Classic Misfits pics (Dangerous Minds)
...and the tree vendors are wrapping up another season in the neighborhood... here's a photo of Jonathan Papillon Blanc, who has been selling here the past six years. This time around, he was on Second Avenue at Seventh Street, away from his usual spot in front of the Rite Aid on First Avenue and Fifth Street (construction next door prompted the move)...
[Photo by Rainer Turim]
A Croman Christmas
The following is from a group of tenants who rent from Steve Croman's 9300 Realty... several of whom say they do not currently have heat or hot water in their apartments... via the EVG inbox and with apologies to Dr. Seuss...
You're a mean one, Steve Croman
You really are a heel,
You're as cuddly as a cactus, you're as charming as an eel, Steve Croman,
You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel!
You're a monster, Steve Croman,
Your heart's an empty hole,
Your brain is full of spiders, you have garlic in your soul, Steve Croman,
I wouldn't touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!
You're a foul one, Steve Croman,
You have termites in your smile,
You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile, Steve Croman,
Given a choice between the two of you'd take the seasick crocodile!
You're a rotter, Steve Croman,
You're the king of sinful sots,
Your heart's a dead tomato splotched with moldy purple spots, Steve Croman,
You're a three decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce!
You nauseate me, Steve Croman,
With a nauseous super "naus!",
You're a crooked dirty jockey and you drive a crooked hoss, Steve Croman,
Your soul is an appalling dump heap overflowing with the most disgraceful
assortment of rubbish imaginable mangled up in tangled up knots!
You're a foul one, Steve Croman,
You're a nasty wasty skunk,
Your heart is full of unwashed socks, your soul is full of gunk, Steve Croman,
The three words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote,
"Stink, stank, stunk"!
In May, Croman was arrested and charged in criminal court with multiple felonies, including grand larceny, criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is also suing Croman in civil court.
Last week, tenants at 159 Stanton St. filed a lawsuit in housing court against Croman.
Per The Lo-Down: "According to the tenant association, residents have been forced to endure collapsing ceilings, dust and debris, mold, rats and floods. The lawsuit also alleges that poor security has led to numerous burglaries."
Croman's real-estate empire includes 47 buildings with 617 units in the East Village. He owns more buildings in the East Village than any other landlord.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
A London Calling tribute
Joe Strummer died 14 years ago today... and at the mural of the frontman for the Clash outside Niagara on Seventh Street and Avenue A, someone has left two candles and a London Calling (the cover shot at the Palladium on 14th Street) T-shirt in tribute...
Sen. Squadron calls for False Claims investigation against group who sold Rivington House for condos
State Sen. Daniel Squadron released a letter (see the PDF here) to letter to Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Corporation Counsel Zachary Carter urging an investigation into the Rivington House deed restriction removal and purchase by the Allure Group under the State and City’s False Claims Acts.
At the City and State level, the False Claims Act provides authority to take civil action against those that defraud the government. The City has indicated it was misled by the Allure Group during the deed restriction removal and sale of the Lower East Side nursing home.
“The closure of Rivington House stunned the community and highlighted major flaws in the process that governs deed restrictions,” he wrote. “The role of government is to protect the public interest and to be transparent; but that role is undermined if government is misled, as may have been the case at Rivington House. But, it is also vital that we hold those who violate the public trust accountable.”
The Daily News has more on Squadron's press conference from yesterday here.
In February 2015, the Allure Group paid $28 million for the property, promising that 45 Rivington — the former Rivington Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation — would remain a health facility. In November 2015, a city agency lifted the the deed in exchange for the Allure Group's $16 million payment to the city. Earlier this year, Allure then reportedly sold the property for $116 million to the the Slate Property Group, a condo developer who plans to create 100 luxury residences in the building that overlooks Sara S. Roosevelt Park.
Last summer, the Department of Investigation released the results of an inquiry, which didn't reveal any corruption, but rather inattention and incompetence by the de Blasio administration.
Previously
Taberna 97 is now open on St. Mark's Place
After several weeks in soft-open mode, Taberna 97 has officially opened its doors at 97 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue...
The owners (Eric Baker and sisters Patricia and Raquel Sanguedo, who also own the bar St. Dymphnas on the same block) are behind this venture, modeled after a traditional Portuguese taverna. (The Sanguedos are originally from Porto, Portugal. Baker and Patricia Sanguedo are married.)
Here's a look at the menu... they also have a beer-wine menu....
[Click to go big]
There was a long build-out here. The owners said that Taberna 97 was constructed to meet standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
The previous tenant, Yaffa Cafe, closed (in September 2014), in part, because the city deemed the back patio illegal after being in use as a dining area for 31 years.
As previously reported, there aren't any plans for the Taberna team to offer backyard dining. "Let me assure everyone involved that this has not been nor is it the case," Baker told us back in September. "Our plans for the garden involve landscaping and beautifying so it can be enjoyed from inside our space."
Taberna 97 is open Tuesday–Friday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Previously
Dahlia's Tapas Wine Bar has been dark of late
The cafe between Second Avenue and Third Avenue has not been open during posted hours in recent nights while the phone kicks into a generic message about not having a voicemail box (or voice mailbox) set up.
Its sister restaurant, Dahlia’s Fine Mexican Cuisine on Second Avenue at Fifth Street, was busted by the SLA after serving a reported 50 minors one night in January. The Mexican restaurant then closed in May.
The owners replaced it with 100% Healthy Blend (or maybe just Healthy Blend), which closed after three months.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Here comes the 2nd Avenue subway!
Well, sort of. @ImPaulGale shared this photo from the Second Avenue F stop this afternoon... showing MTA workers putting in new maps to reflect the Second Avenue Subway ... the new line, set to commence on Jan. 1, will bring Q train service to 63rd Street, 72nd Street, 86th Street and 96th Street.
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