Take heart, the Orangetheory Fitness is now open on Astor Place

Oh, a belated post to note that Orangetheory Fitness is now open at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star. (It opened on Jan. 2 in time for the High Gym Season.)

About their workout via the OF website: "Orangetheory Fitness offers 60-minute workout sessions split into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training with heart rate monitors to track intensity and maximize metabolic burn. Increase energy, get visible results and burn more calories, even after leaving the studio. That's the Orange Effect!"

A CNBC report on Orangetheory last Friday noted that "participants can get unlimited classes for about $160 per month." (The Astor Place OF is considered a "premium location," meaning "This studio location is subject to pricing that is higher than our standard rates. A visit surcharge will be applied to workouts taken at this studio.")

Orangetheory, which has 570 locations worldwide, including three in Brooklyn and one in Chelsea, is right next door to Flywheel Sports, the cycling studio ... and a block away from the now-closed David Barton Gym.

Monday's parting shot (Saturday edition)

A great shot above Avenue A during the peak snowfall on Saturday via jdx ...

Community meeting set as dorm plans continue moving forward at the former PS 64

There are recently disclosed new developments in the works at the former P.S 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center as developer Gregg Singer remains committed to converting the long-empty building that extends from Ninth Street to 10th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C into dorms. (Singer bought the formerly city-owned building in 1998 for $3.15 million.)

According to the Greenwich Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP):

[Singer] is seeking to get around the restrictive declaration and the tighter rules we helped fight for years ago and sneak in illegitimate uses. He has hired the same lobbyist involved in the scandalous lifting of the deed restriction for the nearby Rivington House.

Rather than get the City to lift the deed restriction as was done there, he is seeking to get the City to redefine the restrictions on dorms that apply to this and other sites, to make it easier to sneak in illegal “dorms for hire” and to do work on the building without required documentation and commitments in place. The City has issued a preliminary ruling in favor of the developer’s request, which has far-reaching implications not only for this property but others throughout the City.

Last June, The Commercial Observer reported that Madison Realty Capital provided a $44 million loan to Singer’s Singer Financial Corporation to recapitalize a dorm.

In past years, the Joffrey Ballet and Cooper Union were attached to the project.

Now, as The Villager reported on Dec. 26, the new "anchor tenant" is Adelphi University, which has an outpost at 75 Varick St. Singer reportedly signed a lease with the school this past August.

The Schedule A on file with the DOB shows that the Adelphi students would be on the second and third floors of the building... while the fourth and fifth would remain unoccupied for the time being...



The lobbyist in question is Jim Capalino, a former Mayor de Blasio ally. As Politico noted, Capalino and his staffers have a knack for getting what they want for their clients.

Capalino has been working on behalf of Singer's LLC since April 2014. Here's more from The Villager:

Records from the Lobbying Bureau of the Office of the City Clerk show that from January 2015 to December 2016, 9th & 10th L.L.C. made three payments to James F. Capalino and Associates for a total of roughly $227,000. The first payment was for $30,000, with the “target” being the Department of Buildings, and the purpose being for “determination regarding real property.” The second was for $86,666, with the targets listed as D.O.B., along with “councilmembers and community boards,” with the intended purpose stated as “aiding the client in seeking various approvals for its property.” The third payment was for $120,000, with the target again D.O.B. and the purpose only listed as “non-procurement.”

The landmarked building has sat empty since 2001, when Singer reportedly evicted CHARAS, the cultural and community center. Through the years, preservationists, community groups and local elected officials have been successful in opposing Singer's various plans, including a 23-story megadorm. At the same time, there has been a movement to return the building to use as a cultural and community center.

There's a community meeting on Jan. 18 to discuss the latest developments at the former PS 64 ...



The meeting is 6:30 p.m. on the 18th at Loisaida, Inc., 710 E. Ninth St. near Avenue C (next to Ninth Street Espresso if that helps).

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rebranded P.S. 64 up for grabs: Please welcome University House at Tompkins Square Park to the neighborhood

Deed for 'community facility use only' at the former P.S. 64 now on the market

Efforts continue to fight the dorm planned for the former PS 64 on East 9th Street

The Landmarks Preservation Commission approves application for modifications at PS 64

'Misinformation' cited as DOB issues Stop Work Order at the former PS 64; community meeting set for Sunday afternoon

Development drama continues at the former P.S. 64, where the city approved dorm-conversion permits (again)

[Updated] The former P.S. 64 appears to be for sale

The latest PS 64 debacle: Investors sue Gregg Singer

[Updated] East Village landlord Jared Kushner's path to the White House

As Trump clinched his nomination, his son-in-law started talks on a joint venture with a secretive Chinese company https://t.co/Bs3qrfOraQ

— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 7, 2017

This past weekend, The New York Times took a deep dive on Jared Kushner, President-elect Donald Trump's son-in-law, as he continues to play a key role in the new administration.

The Page 1 piece shows the web of potential conflicts of interest that Kushner could face in Trump's administration. The article centers on a celebratory dinner on Nov. 16 in a private dining room at the Waldorf Astoria. Kushner was close to a joint-venture agreement with Wu Xiaohui, the chairman of Anbang Insurance Group, to help redevelop the Kushner-owned 666 Fifth Ave.

As the Times noted, the byzantine ownership structure of Anbang, which has close ties to the Chinese state, "has seen its aggressive efforts to buy up hotels in the United States slowed amid concerns raised by Obama administration officials who review foreign investments for national security risk."

Per the Times:

[W]ith Mr. Kushner laying the groundwork for his own White House role, the meeting at the Waldorf shines a light on his family’s multibillion-dollar business, Kushner Companies, and on the ethical thicket he would have to navigate while advising his father-in-law on policy that could affect his bottom line.

And...

Matthew T. Sanderson, a lawyer at Caplin & Drysdale and former general counsel to Senator Rand Paul’s presidential campaign, said deals like the one with Anbang “might not be illegal under the conflict-of-interest rules, but raise a strong appearance that a foreign entity is using Mr. Kushner’s business to try to influence U.S. policy.”

The article also notes that Kushner will resign as chief executive of Kushner Companies.

Starting in 2013, Kushner has bought 40-plus buildings in the East Village. According to the Cooper Square Committee, only Steve Croman owns more residential buildings in the East Village than Kushner does.

Under Kushner's ownership, tenants have accused his management company, among other things, of aggressive tactics to remove rent-stabilized residents ... while failing to provide gas for cooking and heat.

Updated 8:14 p.m.

Kushner will be named senior adviser to the president, CNN reports.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Report: Jared Kushner buys $130 million portfolio of East Village rental buildings

Soon, we will all be writing our rent checks to Jared Kushner

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

Jared Kushner's residents at 118 E. 4th St. would like gas for cooking and some heat

Jared Kushner's East Village tenants wish he'd resolve issues closer to home

Make Sandwich opens today on 4th Avenue

Make Sandwich debuts today at 135 Fourth Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street...



Make is an extension of the Melt Shop brand. Here's their pitch via Facebook: "Make Sandwich serves uniquely classic sandwiches and quality make-your-own ingredients with NYC hustle."

You can find their menu here.

The previous tenant, Desi Shack, the quick-serve Indian-Pakistani restaurant, closed in April 2016 after less then two years.

Sunday's parting shot

Looks like some snow Screams on a fire escape on Sixth Street via EVG reader ex Vacuo...

Week in Grieview

[Photo yesterday in Tompkins Square Park by Allen Semanco]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Police investigating woman's death in the Wald Houses on Avenue D (Wednesday)

Lanza's is done as contents auctioned off (Thursday)

Saying goodbye to the Cake Shop (Wednesday)

Caffe Bene temporarily closes on Avenue A to expand its menu (Thursday)

A few more details about East Side Tavern, coming to the former Redhead space (Wednesday)

Sidewalk bridge arrives at 118 E. First St., where a 9-story building is in the works (Wednesday)

The "Wild Women of Planet Wongo" returns to the Parkside Lounge (Friday)

East Side Ink moves a storefront away on Avenue B (Friday)

Elvis Guesthouse space for rent at 85 Avenue A (Thursday)

Rumors continue about the future of the empty lot at 89 First Ave. (Friday)

Images 2016 (Dec. 31)

Guaco Taco has closed on Second Street (Wednesday)

Lab -320° closes after 6 months in the former Sock Man space on St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

A Sweet new mural for First Avenue bakery (Thursday)

That new old look at 2A (Thursday)

Report: City's 1st solar-powered bus stop back in the dark on Avenue C (Tuesday)

Reader report: In case your packages were a little wet this evening (Tuesday)

Thurston Moore interviews Iggy Pop in the documentary "I’ve Nothing But My Name" (Sunday)

Colors Restaurant leaving Lafayette Street for the Lower East Side (Thursday)

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Today in photos of the Con Ed power plant

14th and C...

Winter 2017 Wonderland in Tompkins Square Park

Photos in Tompkins Square Park today by Bobby Williams...

The 1 person in line at 10 am in the snow for 'Othello' cancellation tickets

The sold-out, two-month run of "Othello" starring David Oyelowo and Daniel Craig ends on Jan. 18 at the New York Theatre Workshop on Fourth Street... one way to get a ticket: show up for the cancellation line at least two hours before a given day's performance... this theatergoer arrived four hours early in hopes of a seat... (not sure if he was successful)

Photo by Derek Berg

In case you had plans to use the men's room ('comfort station') in Tompkins Square Park

Uh-oh — the dreaded "drainage back up." @EdenBrower shares this photo ...


The sign on the men's room/comfort station door helpfully suggests using the boys' bathroom on the other side of the administration building.

Hopefully all this gets undrained in time for Day 2 of MulchFest tomorrow...

Snow break, archival edition

Snowy NYC as a magical wonderland: 1950s photo of the San Carlo Restaurant at 3rd Ave & 10th St by Saul Leiter @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/EgSWs6Sanw

— Ephemeral New York (@EphemeralNY) January 7, 2017

A photo from the archives of longtime East Village resident Saul Leiter, who died in 2013.

Thanks to Ephemeral New York for sharing!

Mulching commences in Tompkins Square Park while a picturesque snow falls

The 2017 MulchFest/TreeCycle is officially underway in Tompkins Square Park... Despite a botched opening — workers pulled a Kanye and started the proceedings 15 minutes later than advertised — the Park was soon filled with the gentle purr of a mulcher mulching... as these photos by EVG Senior Mulching Correspondent Steven show...





So far, the crowds are fairly light to watch the proceedings... (guests are able to take home a bag of mulch — great in smoothies and acai bowls)



And there haven't been any takers (yet) for the MulchFest Premium Seats, a VIP package that includes Prime Seat Locations, VIP Express Entry and a MulchFest Poster autographed by the Deputy Commissioners of the NYC Parks Department.

MulchFest allegedly happens until 2 (p.m.) today ... and commences again tomorrow from 10-2.

Friday's parting shot(s)

First flurries of 2017! #woo

When Nature calls

The Toronto-based Tokyo Police Club have a new record coming out this year...and they'll be playing the Bowery Ballroom on Jan. 20.

This is "Nature of the Experiment" from the band's 2006 debut EP.

Reminders: You can watch your holiday tree get mulched right before your eyes this weekend

Juuuuuuuuuust a reminder (how could anyone forget???) that the annual MulchFest/Tree-Cycle is this weekend in Tompkins Square Park ... Saturday (tomorrow!) and Sunday (the day after tomorrow!), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Per the Parks Depo:

Join the NYC Parks, the New York City Department of Sanitation, and GreeNYC to recycle your Christmas trees into wood chips. These wood chips are used to nourish trees and plants on streets and gardens citywide. Or, take home your very own bag of mulch to use in your backyard or to make a winter bed for a street tree. More than 30,000 trees were recycled last year. Help us top this number!

Tompkins Square Park is an official chipping site. Back to the Parks Depo: "Watch your tree get chipped in front of you, and get a free bag of mulch to take home for your plantings!"

Will we actually get to take the remains of our tree home with us? Or will they just give us a random bag of mulch?

If you don't want to watch your tree get mulched, just leave it outside the Park...



Also! The Department of Sanitation "will collect and compost clean Christmas trees left at the curb" through Jan. 14. (The trees left curbside are also allegedly chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost for NYC's parks, institutions and community gardens.) Don't forget to remove all lights, ornaments, stands, beer cans and plastic bags from the trees left at the curb.

Rumors continue about the future of the empty lot at 89 1st Ave.

As we've noted (here and here, for instance) in the past few years, workers continue to poke around inside the long-empty lot at 89 First Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.

Yesterday, EVG reader Michael Hirsch spotted a crew taking more soil samples.

As you may recall, we heard a rumor in the fall of 2014 that there were preliminary plans in place to build a 7-floor residential building here.

There still aren't any permits on file with the DOB noting any new-building construction, though it's hard to imagine that a prime plot of land would stay vacant any longer in this day and age...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Will this long-empty lot on 1st Avenue yield to affordable housing?

Drilling and soil testing commences at the long-empty lot at 89 1st Ave.

The 'Wild Women of Planet Wongo' returns to the Parkside Lounge

After a two-month run in the back room at the Parkside Lounge in November and December, the campy "Wild Women of Planet Wongo" is back for a three-month weekend residency starting tonight.

The sci-fi musical comedy (find the plot here) originally played in Bushwick in 2015. (The Times gave it a decent-enough review, saying "the entire cast ... is unstinting with its energy and enthusiasm.")

EVG correspondent Stacie Joy caught a performance at the Parkside during its first run and shared these photos...











Find ticket info here. The admission price includes a Wongotini (vodka, Midori, tequila and lime juice). And the performance is interactive, meaning audience members may find themselves part of the show.

The Parkside Lounge is at 317 E. Houston St. and Attorney.

East Side Ink moves a storefront away on Avenue B

Just noting that East Side Ink moved one storefront to the south at the end of December here on Avenue B between Seventh Street and Sixth Street... the shop has been around in one form or another since 1992.

The space was previously home to Tu Casa Recording Studio and most recently some pop-up art shows.

Winterizing the B&H

Just in time for the winter weather expected later tonight... workers put in an entryway enclosure this afternoon at B&H Dairy on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place... maybe help keep the soups on the lunch counter from cooling off too quickly...





Photos by Derek Berg