Perfect for today's weather...
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Proof that it is snowing
Just a few photos of today's snowfall ... here's a look at Tompkins Square Park via Steven...
... and a selection from Vinny & O... Second Avenue first around 6:30 a.m. ...
Tonight's L train shutdown workshop cancelled due to the snowy weather
The Storm of Feb. 9™ (Niko if you're nasty) claims a victim — the MTA's first public workshop to discuss the upcoming (2019!) L train shutdown has been cancelled tonight at Town and Village Synagogue on East 14th Street...
As for the L this morning!
But now!
Due to the expected winter storm, tomorrow's #LTrain Manhattan Eastside workshop with @NYCTSubway is cancelled. Stay tuned for a new date. https://t.co/BJDfw8vtwo
— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) February 9, 2017
As for the L this morning!
#Delays
— L Train NYC (@mtanowl) February 9, 2017
Following an earlier incident at 8 Av, [L] train service has resumed with delays.
But now!
— L Train NYC (@mtanowl) February 9, 2017
How can I really be expected to post today when the Storm of Feb. 9™ is here?
[EVG photo on 7th and A from 2011]
#SnowDay
Snow photos to come all day, probably!
Previously on EV Grieve:
How can I really be expected to post today when the Storm of Feb. 8™ is on the way?
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Citi Bike shuts down ahead of the storm
[Photo from Jan. 31 by Derek Berg]
Here's the official word from Citi Bike:
Due to heavy snow in the forecast, we will temporarily close the Citi Bike system starting at 11:00 PM tonight, Wednesday February 8. What does that mean for you? No bikes can be rented after the temporary closure has begun, though bikes that are in use can be returned to any Citi Bike station with an available dock.
The amount of snow and changing weather conditions will determine when it is safe to re-open.
They will post updates on Twitter tomorrow ...
Prepping for tomorrow's snowstorm
As we first reported after other outlets, it is going to snow tomorrow.
Ahead of that, people (store owners? supers? residents), like here on First Avenue near St. Mark's Place, are getting ready... creating emoji-like salt circles...
[Photo by Steven]
Meanwhile, the folks at Lois Dry Cleaners on Third Avenue at 10th Street noted that their hours might be impacted by the snowfall, expected somewhere between 6 and 12 inches.
Keep an eye on @LinkNYC kiosks for updates...
Ahead of that, people (store owners? supers? residents), like here on First Avenue near St. Mark's Place, are getting ready... creating emoji-like salt circles...
[Photo by Steven]
Meanwhile, the folks at Lois Dry Cleaners on Third Avenue at 10th Street noted that their hours might be impacted by the snowfall, expected somewhere between 6 and 12 inches.
Keep an eye on @LinkNYC kiosks for updates...
Snow daze: We are now under 'a hazardous travel advisory' for Thursday (tomorrow!)
[Photo from January 2016]
Via the EVG inbox...
The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a hazardous travel advisory for Thursday, February 9. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning in effect Thursday from midnight through 6 p.m. This system is forecast to bring heavy snow that will create slick and hazardous travel conditions on Thursday, especially during the morning commute.
“Although the weather is warm today, winter will return quickly on Thursday with dangerous conditions for the morning commute,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “New Yorkers should be prepared for snowfall and slippery roads and plan to take mass transit where possible.”
A coastal storm will develop off the mid-Atlantic coast Wednesday night, bringing a chance for precipitation after midnight. The precipitation could start as rain or a mix of rain and snow for coastal sections, but is forecast to turn to snow early Thursday morning. Snow will continue into Thursday morning, falling heavily at times, creating reduced visibilities. Snow will taper off Thursday afternoon into the evening as the storm pushes away from the area. A total accumulation of 6 to 12 inches of snow is anticipated, but locally higher amounts are possible. New Yorkers should avoid driving during the morning hours and use mass transit where possible on Thursday.
Snow Preparations
• DSNY
-The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is pre-deploying 689 salt spreaders across the five boroughs. PlowNYC will be activated and more than 1600 plows will be dispatched when more than two inches of snow accumulates.
-DSNY will assign 2,400 workers per shift. Workers will be assigned to 12 hour shifts beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
-DSNY has 315,000 tons of rock salt available.
-Garbage/recycling collections will be suspended once snow operations begin.
-DSNY is requesting emergency snow laborers to assist with snow removal operations on Friday. For more information on how to sign up, click here.
• DOT
-Alternate Side Parking is suspended Thursday to facilitate snow removal operations. Parking meters are in effect.
-Citi Bike service is expected to remain in service Thursday until further notice.
-DOT will deploy crews to pre-treat pedestrian overpasses and step streets, and ensure that ferry terminals and municipal parking garages are pre-salted in advance of any snow.
-The Staten Island Ferry is expected to run on a normal schedule, but all passengers should allow extra time should weather conditions impact the schedule.
-Typically, during snow operations, DOT deploys over 400 personnel and more than 200 pieces of equipment, including close to 80 trucks for plowing, over several shifts.
Out and About in the East Village (part 2)
In this ongoing 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
James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.
By James Maher
Name: Lola Sáenz
Occupation: Artist, Poet
Location: 12th Street
Date: Saturday, Jan. 28 at noon
Read Part 1 with Lola from last week here.
I’ve been exhibiting with a group named Artistas de Loisaida since the late 1990s. It’s still alive and kicking and it’s run by Carolyn Ratcliffe, who is the art director. Mostly I exhibit at Theatre for the New City, and I also donated some paintings to the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art on Wooster Street – the first LGBTQ art museum in the world.
I always dreamt about getting into a gallery or working with an art dealer but that whole thing is so hard to get into – it’s insane. I think it’s all who you know. I have files of turndown letters. I haven’t been able to get into a gallery because nobody’s responding, so I said screw it — I can be my own agent. It’s such a game.
I created a painting called Crossing Borders inspired by the women crossing the border. I’m Mexican and most of my relatives are in Mexico, and I said that belongs in my hometown, so I aimed for the El Paso Museum of Art. When I used to run cross-country in high school, as we were running the levy, I would see the Coyotes carrying the ladies on their shoulders walking through the Rio Grande. This piece was inspired by that — running for a better life. When I would go to visit my family, my mother and I would go to the Museum. I would drop off the portfolio to the art director, and I would take her to see all the artwork. They turned me down for like 15 years.
Then my mama Gloria passed away, and I decide to submit one more time in her honor. I said, ‘I want to donate this to my hometown.’ I shipped it, they got it, and they had almost a 3-month wait. It had to be approved by the committee, the Culture Department of El Paso, the mayor, the cockroaches, and maybe a couple of mice. So finally they wrote to me and said they loved it — yes. When I went to the museum with my family for the show, I felt as if my mother's spirit was there holding my hand. It was beautiful. It was my mami who said, ‘Never give up on your dreams.’
I was really taken by 9/11. I created a canvas called 9/11 Broken Heart. I would take it to Union Square and I was walking around and Martha Cooper discovered the painting — she’s a well-known photographer who specializes in graffiti artists. She suggested collecting some of the 9/11 artwork and turning it into a show, and I said sure. She introduced me to Marci Reaven, who worked for City Lore, and she called me and told me that I was invited to have my painting as part of an exhibit called Missing at the New-York Historical Society Museum.
A couple years passed and then I created a black-and-white painting of bodies called Ground Zero. I became very acquainted with the curator for the 9/11 Memorial Museum because I wanted to give them this one. She turned me down — saying they haven’t quit finished building the museum. A year later she said no still. So when they finished the museum, I sent her an email and said, ‘Look, this is it, again, in case you forgot what it looked like.’ And she said, ‘Wow are those bodies?’ I said, ‘Yeah, those are dead bodies.’ I said, ‘Can you just let me bring it and you and your people can just see it face to face?’ So she said ok.
Jan Ramirez is the curator of the 9/11 Memorial Museum, and she had turned me down a few times in the past few years. But they finally said YES and they acquired Ground Zero and Fallen Leaves. It pays to believe in your dream and be persistent.
My mom raised 5 kids. My parents got divorced when I was 13, so I think a lot of the early work had a lot of trying to get over a lot of stuff — but it’s also part of life. The documentary end of it happens when I get inspired by an event like the East Village gas explosion or by Sandy.
During Sandy, I was in the dark here just with a flashlight, working. I did one piece titled Uptown, because I took the bus uptown and everybody was partying and having brunch and eating and shopping, and everything looked so beautiful and colorful. I was shocked that half of these people had no idea that downtown was in the dark and that it was really bad. Downtown was dark and it was watery. It was just the total opposite of uptown, so that’s where that inspiration came from.
The gentrification that’s happening breaks my heart. I do miss a lot of the places that used to be here. I miss Something Sweet the most — that little bakery on 11th Street and First Avenue, and the owner and her family were wonderful people. And another place comes in, and 18 months later and they’re not there anymore. It’s been a lot of there and not there. On 9th Street between First and Second, there’s a building that went up that looks like it should be on Fifth Avenue, my god. It’s pretty wild. It’s hard to believe. I would have never imagined in 1993 that we’d be experiencing all these dramatic changes.
But I love the East Village no matter what. It still has its grub. It still has its little dark side. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. To me, it’s very bohemian no matter what. Even with all my neighbors who are probably NYU students because they party a lot. Ever since I’ve been here people have been partying. Now I’ve heard the building is about 80 percent NYU students, but the noise doesn’t bother me.
I feel very lucky and very blessed. I’d like to end up in a few other museums and then maybe find a place to have a solo show, because I’m ready. Those are my next goals.
James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.
Construction watch: 253 E. 7th St.
Just checking in on 253 E. Seventh St., where there are approved permits for a 6-story residential building here between Avenue C and Avenue D.
As previously noted, the Issac & Stern-designed condoplex will house six residences (each roughly 1,500 square feet) ...
Workers demolished the former four-story residence that stood here back in late 2015. A look through the blogger portal doesn't show much, if any, new building construction action...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Options for this lovely East 7th Street townhouse include demolition
New building in the works for 253 E. 7th St.
The disappearing 253 E. 7th St.
253 E. 7th St. is now a pile of bricks
Property at 253 E. 7th St. now for sale; perfect for a 'dream custom mansion townhouse'
New plans for a 6-story building at 253 E. 7th St.
New 6-story residential building OK'd for 7th Street
Lottery open for below-market rate apartments in Stuy Town
Property owner Blackstone said that potential renters who missed out on a unit last year (15,000 reportedly applied) could try again now through March 10.
Here's Town & Village with more:
This reopening is specifically for applicants in the higher-income bracket for one and two-bedroom apartments since those are the unit sizes that are most common throughout the property. However, the original waiting list is still active for unit types not included in the current lottery as well as one and two-bedrooms.
And!
An ad promoting the lottery that’s running in four newspapers this week, including Town & Village, states that the rent for a one-bedroom would go for $2,805 for one person earning $84,150-$104,775 or for two people earning $84,150-119,625. A two-bedroom would go for $3,366 for a 2-4 person household earning a minimum of $100,980 to a maximum of $119,625 for two people, $134,640 for three people and $149,490 for four people.
By contrast, market rent in Stuyvesant Town starts at $3,200 for one-bedroom units and at $3,900 for two-bedroom units.
Town & Village interviewed several people about the process. (Read that article here.) Here's one person, who entered the lottery last year, expressing frustration about the experience.
“The city was proud to announce that 5,000 units at Stuy Town would remain affordable, and they claimed that Stuy Town would remain a place to live for low to middle-income New Yorkers like nurses, teachers,” he said. “However, 90 percent of these affordable units are being awarded to those making no less than $84,150 a year. I don’t know any teachers or nurses who make that kind of a salary.”
You can apply online here.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
There aren't any more holiday trees to mulch in Tompkins Square Park
The tree pen is empty for now... just 45 days past Dec. 25. Hopefully we have enough mulch in reserve to get us through the summer.
Photo today by Bobby Williams
Updated: Report of a fire at 86 E. 10th St.
Fairly big fire on corner of 10th and 4th - a lot of firefighters and EMTs at the scene. pic.twitter.com/QfaGIzZW7a
— Will Tooke (@willtooketv) February 7, 2017
The FDNY responded to a report of a fire this afternoon at 86 E. 10th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.
A department spokesperson told Patch there were "two reported injuries being evaluated on the scene."
The fire reportedly started on the third or fourth floor of the building, which houses the bar Black & White on the ground level. (2/10 — Black & White remains closed.)
There isn't any info at the moment about the cause of the fire or extent of the damage.
— im lilakatz (@iguesslila) February 7, 2017
Updated 3:30 p.m.
These shots are via eventphotosnyc ...
98 Favor Taste, now without the plywood on St. Mark's Place
Workers have removed the plywood here on St. Mark's Place at Second Avenue... offering the full reveal of the incoming 98 Favor Taste...
As noted back on Friday, the restaurant is from the operators behind the 99 Favor Taste restaurant in Sunset Park since 2011 ... and the Grand Street location since 2012.
The restaurants specialize in traditional Korean-style barbecue and Chinese hot pot meals.
Thanks to EVG Senior Plywood Correspondent Steven
A tribute to Leonard Cohen at HiFi
Hifi is hosting a tribute to the late Leonard Cohen tomorrow evening... check out the list of performers here. The show is free and starts at 7:30 in the bar's back room. Hifi is at 169 Avenue A between 10th Street and 11th Street.
Report: Raphael Toledano selling major EV portfolio; foreclosure proceedings underway
This contract comes as Madison Realty Capital has moved to foreclose on one of Toledano's major portfolios.
Per The Real Deal:
Madison, according to documents filed in New York State Supreme Court late last week, claims Toledano, the founder of Brookhill Properties, owes the firm about $140 million, which includes $125 million in loans against 15 properties, plus interest and attorneys’ fees.
Sources close to Toledano said that after he defaulted last year, Madison waited months to initiate foreclosure proceedings, allowing time for him to find a buyer for the properties.
It's unclear just how many EV buildings Sutton is purchasing. (Toledano purchased 28 buildings in two separate portfolios from the Tabak family for a total of $140 million.)
The Brookhill Properties website previously showed that the company owned 21 buildings in the East Village. As if this morning it shows 18 properties. If this deal goes through, then the number will presumably be in the single digits.
Last September, he reportedly sold 221 E. 10th St. and 58 St. Mark’s Place. There was also a listing for 444 E. 13th St. (That address is no longer on the Cushman & Wakefield website.)
As market observers have told The Real Deal, Toledano was believed to be in way over his head.
Toledano has also been accused of a variety of predatory practices. In addition, 20 of his buildings were tested for toxic levels of dust.
Image via the Brookhill website
Work underway on 10-story condoplex at 4th Avenue and 10th Street
Looks as if work has officially commenced for the 10-story retail-residential complex at the southeast corner of Fourth Avenue and 10th Street...
To recap, there are approved plans for a 10-story building ...with retail on the ground floor and 12 dwelling units above. The residential portion encompasses more than 24,000 square feet, so those units will presumably be condos. Floors 2-5 will each have two units while 6-8 will each have one unit while a two-level duplex to top things off. The plans also show a rooftop "recreation space" ... with more outdoor space on the ground level. Residential perks include a media room, an exercise room and storage for seven bikes, according to the permits.
SBLM Architects are listed as the architects of record. We didn't spot a rendering at their website.
However, we've seen several renderings for this lot elsewhere. The most recent one was posted at CityRealty ... it is listed as 80 E. 10th St. ...
This is the wrong corner, though. The above rendering is on 13th Street at Fourth Avenue. Perhaps a potential sign of things to come to that currently one-level corner building?
Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Demo permits filed to raze southeast corner of 4th Avenue and 10th Street
The 'tremendous retail potential' of East 10th Street and 4th Avenue
10 stories of condos in the works for the long-vacant corner of 4th Avenue and East 10th Street
With new building OK'd, corner of 4th Avenue and 10th Street finally ready for razing
Clay Pot, from Hong Kong to St. Mark's Place
Signage is up for a new restaurant called Clay Pot at 58 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue...
According to their Facebook page, they will be serving "traditional Hong Kong style open-flame cooked clay pot rice."
Here's more:
Clay Pot Rice – a literal translation from the dish called “Bao Zai Fan” (煲仔饭) – is revitalizing a traditional style of cooking rice in a clay pot over an open-flame setting. A flavor packed combination of aromatic Jasmine rice, topped with fresh ginger, scallion, a splash of soy sauce, and enriched with your choice of protein, come together to deliver your taste buds on a powerful and savory exotic journey.
From the streets of Hong Kong ✈️ all the way to New York City!! We are super excited to announce our grand opening soon on St.Mark's Place. pic.twitter.com/mM6QHhiYvI
— Clay Pot NYC (@ClayPotNYC) February 6, 2017
Hakata Hot Pot and Sushi Lounge closed here at the end of February 2016. (Hakata Hot Pot combined with sister restaurant Zen 6 the next block to the west at 31 St. Mark's Place.)
Natori, a longtime favorite, closed at this address in November 2012.
Monday, February 6, 2017
Sugar Cafe has closed
As expected, the 24/7 cafe on Houston and Allen shut its doors after service yesterday.
This note greets patrons...
BoweryBoogie had previously heard that a rent increase — perhaps as much as double the current ask — was behind the closing.
The narrow cafe had been here for 10-plus years.
For now, a few desserts remain behind ...
Today in photogenic squirrels in Tompkins Squirrel
Another day, another squirrel doing something adorable (or terrifying, depending on your opinion of squirrels) in Tompkins Square Park...
EVG Senior Squirrel Correspondent Steven spotted this squirrel enjoying some sap from a tree near Avenue A and Ninth Street...
Naturalists have noted that when a squirrel's stash of pinecones and nuts gathered during the summer and fall run low, they will often turn to sap for an energy boost... sap as well as pizza, crackers, bananas, pumpkins and Hershey's Cocoa.
Noted
As of this morning, this fuzzy artwork — on two sheets of plywood — sat outside 19-23 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... it's not immediately clear what this is (or was) It was placed out here sometime late on Saturday, as far as we know...
[Photo by Derek Berg]
Guess/theories are welcome (and LinkNYC, Lady Gaga or Tom and Gisele have been eliminated as suspects).
A look at the Moxy Hotel coming to 11th Street
Demolition work continues at 112-120 E. 11th St., where five walk-up buildings are coming down to make way for the 13-story hotel for Marriott’s Moxy brand here between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.
Meanwhile, we hadn't seen any renderings for this 300-room hotel aimed toward the Millennial set. Stonehill & Taylor are the architects of record. (They designed the one going up in Chelsea.) However, their website didn't have anything on the East 11th Street property.
Turns out that we were looking in the wrong place. CityRealty had the first look back in December ... via Flintlock Construction...
[Rendering via Flintlock Construction]
Thoughts?
Work permits on file with the city show that the hotel will be 78,361 square feet — about 250 square feet per room. In addition, the permits show a lounge in the hotel's basement along with an "eating and drinking establishment with accessory terrace." The application also shows a lounge and another eating and drinking establishment on the first floor/lobby (not sure if these are connected) ... as well as a "grab n go" food and drink space. There's also another bar-restaurant planned for the top floor.
The permits, first filed in September, are still awaiting the city's approval. They were disapproved (again) on Friday, per the DOB.
Local residents, preservationists and local elected officials have all spoken out about the demolition of the "landmark-elegible" buildings and loss of housing.
The Moxy website shows that the 11th Street hotel is expected to open in late 2018.
And if you're new to the Moxy brand, here's more via its website:
Moxy is a boutique hotel with the social heart of a hostel. A free-spirited place where you can do all that crazy fun stuff you’d never think of doing at home, together with likeminded spirits you’d otherwise never have met.
Yes, the WiFi is speedy and the cushy beds are freshly made, but more importantly, the bar is always open and the crew is always on. Whether you’re staying for the night or just a nightcap, you’ll see why it’s no place like home.
Previously on EV Grieve:
6-building complex on East 10th Street and East 11th Street sells for $127 million
Report: 300-room hotel planned for East 11th Street
Preservationists say city ignored pitch to designate part of 11th Street as a historic district
Permits filed to demolish 5 buildings on 11th Street to make way for new hotel (58 comments)
At the Moxy hotel protest on 11th Street last evening
Tsukimi bringing sushi to 10th Street
Applicants for Tsukimi are on this month's CB3-SLA agenda for a beer-wine license. (The meeting is tonight, though this item won't be heard in front of the committee.)
According to the questionnaire (PDF here) on the CB3 website, Tsukimi will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Sunday. The space will have four tables seating eight people plus a 10-seat sushi bar.
The application shows the Tsukimi Kaiseki Menu (9 courses) at $85 per person.
The applicants also run SakaMai, which opened in 2012 on Ludlow Street.
No. 228 was home until last September to Dieci, which closed after 10 years in service.
196 Orchard's 'Culture & Cuisine'
An EVG reader asked if we had seen the stencils on the plywood at Ben Shaoul's incoming luxury condos on Houston and Orchard...
Residences ... culture & cuisine... It's part of the branding for the building, which will include a two-level Equinox (gym). The 196 Orchard website includes a 46-page digital publication/advertorial called "The Orchard Review." (You can access it here.)
Turn-of-the-century tenements with patina facades house biodynamic wine stores. The corner slice joint rubs elbows with the starred cuisine of Wildair and Contra. And a perfect date night is sharing a Katz's pastrami followed by a scoop of black sesame from Il Laboratorio del Gelato.
Anyway, the available condos here in the 11-story, 94-unit building range from a 551-square-foot studio for $1.075 million to a 2,069-square-foot three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom apartment asking $5.995 million.
Work is still in the foundation stage, as a look through the blogger portals show...
Sales for the residences launched back in September. A few weeks ago, the Lo-Down asked a Ben Shaoul spokesperson how sales were going here. The response: "While sales have been robust with multiple units placed under contract since launching sales in mid-Fall of 2016, the Sponsor is not disclosing specific figures at this time."
Previously on EV Grieve:
Making way for Ben Shaoul's new retail-residential complex on East Houston
Katz's is now the last business on East Houston between Ludlow and Orchard
Send a salami to your boy next door in the condo
Sunday, February 5, 2017
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