Supporting 249 E. 2nd St. during the construction next door

249 E. Second St. has been set with braces ...



There have been several complaints filed with the city this year about No. 249 ... due to the construction next door at the all-new Avenue C, future home of a 10-story, mixed-use building with 46 residential units at the former site of the Mobil station.

Per one complaint on file with the DOB (in their all-cap style): "DEMOLITION AND DRILLING BE DONE. CRACK IN CEILING WALL IN MAIN ROOM. APARTMENT SHAKING AND VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY TO THE POINT OF FURNITURE MOVING."

There was a partial stop-work order issued last month when No. 249 reportedly shifted.

And this isn't the first time a building adjacent to a development site has been damaged during construction. There were reports of cracks at 183 Avenue B during the foundation work for the 7-story mixed-used residential building at 185 Avenue B.

In 2015, No. 249 hit the market for $6.95 million. As far as I know the building was never sold.

On the rental market: 432 E. 13th St.

Teshigotoya, the Japanese restaurant at 432 E. 13th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, quietly closed earlier this year.

The space is on the market. The listing shows an asking rent of $10,500 a month for the 800-square-feet of space. (There's also a $30,000 fixture fee.)

This spot has been a tough sell in the past few years. Masak, the well-regard Singapore-influenced restaurant, closed in April 2013. Then came Sembrado’s Tacos al Pastor, the Mexican restaurant from Danny Mena, the chef and co-founder of Hecho en Dumbo. And, I'm told, Teshigotoya went through an ownership change at some point after its early 2015 opening.

In previous posts about openings and closings at this address, commenters have said this is a tough block for foot traffic. Will the arrival of condos at the Thirteen East + West development ... or the 8-story residential building going up across the street at the former post office help make something work here?

Thursday's parting shot

A look at the new-look Sheen Brothers awning and black exterior at 10th Street and Avenue B ... (part of an overall exterior rehab at 157 Avenue B/346 E. 10th St.)

And the corner deli as seen last fall...

Noted

As you may have heard, the President fired the FBI director the other day.

Anyway, update your LinkedIn profiles! Because there are now "Looking for an FBI Director" flyers on St. Mark's Place.

"I am really looking for an FBI director. This is not a joke! Just trying to drain the swamp and hoping to meet the right person. I am a professional president and have been told 3 times that I am not under investigation. You know who you are. To me each and every person is beautiful. Open to the relationship morphing into something more profound."

No word if interested applicants can drop off résumés at Westminster offices.

Thanks to Goggla for the photo!

Hello, is it me you're looking for?

Found discarded on 12th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue... outside Academy Records, oddly enough.

The added art on Lionel's sweater should make this more valuable.

Thanks to Christine Champagne for the photo!

Report: Coast Guard estimates that 5,200 gallons of Con Ed's insulating oil spilled into the East River

As previously reported, a transformer containing approximately 37,000 gallons of insulating oil used with electrical equipment failed on Sunday, spilling onto the station property in Downtown Brooklyn and into the East River.

According to DNAinfo, emergency workers have recovered 560 gallons of the synthetic mineral — less than 2 percent of the total lost.

Of the remaining 30,700 gallons of lost oil, some may still be recovered on land around the Farragut Substation, but the U.S. Coast Guard estimated Wednesday that around 5,200 gallons seeped into the river Sunday.

That estimate is based on averages from other cleanups where the agency estimates it can usually collect ten percent of the oil that escapes into water, officials said.

And clean water advocates warn that breakneck currents along the East River make it, "almost the worst possible spill recovery scenario."

The spill occurred at Con Ed's Farragut Substation...



Back to DNAinfo:

Synthetic mineral oil is considered "non-toxic" by the state's DEC and is less harmful to water quality and wildlife than petroleum, though it can still harm fish and birds, according to a Con Edison spokesman.

People should avoid direct contact with the spill as it can cause eye and skin irritation and shouldn't fish in the area, according to the state DEC.

There wasn't any evidence of anything amiss/spilt along the East River Promenade this afternoon...

The usual group of men were fishing between the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge...





... and a little further north...





... and how about that Domino Sugar Refinery redevelopment ...

The St. Mark’s Church Greenmarket will not be returning this year

[Photo from June 2016 by Steven]

An EVG reader looking for when the annual St. Mark’s Church Greenmarket might return this season found the following message on the GrowNYC website...



Not a good sign.

An administrator at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery confirmed the news. Church officials were informed by GrowNYC last week that the St. Mark's Greenmarket will not be returning this year. It would have been the 36th year for the Greenmarket here. We reached out to GrowNYC, which runs the city’s Greenmarkets, for comment. Will update when we hear back.

The Greenmarket on 10th Street at Second Avenue first started in 1981 in the triangular space in front of the St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery.

Updated:

Someone from the Greenmarket staff this this in the comments...

Thank you everyone for expressing your concern regarding the St. Mark's Greenmarket. We are a 501(C)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to simultaneously serve our farmer/producer community and the NYC residents who depend on our markets for fresh food. Closing markets is always a last resort for us and we are actively looking for a new location in the near vicinity that will allow for a more thriving marketplace, to make sure that our farmers stay viable and we can continue serving the community.

In the meantime, we found homes to support the farmers that sold at St. Marks and please visit us on Sundays in Tompkins Sq Park, Sundays (starting 5/21) in Stuy Town, and M/W/F/Sat in Union Square- all a close walk from 10th street and 2nd Ave.

The 7th Street Village Farm is for rent

A tipster points us to a listing for 113 First Ave. — current home of the 7th Street Village Farm.

Per the listing at Douglas Elliman:

Calling all business owners and restauranteurs. Enjoy a dynamic space with maximum exposure, located at one of Manhattan's most bustling intersections. Foot traffic, a sizeable basement, and potential for outdoor space are all key factors to this listing. Just minutes away from all mass transit, this space is conveniently located near some of the East Village's hottest spots.

The listing has the price at $350,000. (Annually? Key money?) Public records show that the building changed hands in March 2015 for $5.5 million. The new owner is behind an LLC with a Jackson Heights address. (Back at the time of the sale, we heard that the deal was between family members.)

And as we understand it, the deli owners are the ones who have OK'd the art on the Seventh Street walls, which include the MCA tribute by @cramcept...



In any event, the corner has housed a market for as long as anyone we talked to can remember...


[Photo from 1979 by Michael Sean Edwards]

Below 7th closes again on 7th Street

Below 7th, a small gift shop a few steps down at 63 E. Seventh St., has closed.

The shop, which sold gift cards, candles, soaps and jewelry, first opened in the fall of 2014, before quietly going on an extended hiatus with the signage and some of the merchandise remaining behind. The shop returned early last summer.

As we understand it, the owners had a similar shop somewhere in the West Village. From the look of it, Below 7th here between First Avenue and Second Avenue has closed for good this time...

Wednesday's parting shot

Spotted outside the former Church of the Nativity on Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street...

The mysterious abandoned minivan of 12th Street has been — CONDEMNED

[Not today]

On Monday, an EVG reader noted the above minivan that has been parked on 12th Street just west of Avenue A for long enough. No license plates. A handful of parking tickets on the windshield. Yet it still sat there.

This afternoon, the same reader saw some sanitation workers inspecting the vehicle earlier today ... and now the vehicle has been scheduled for removal...

Report: The city would need 43 years to crack down on Airbnb violators

As noted yesterday, an East Village resident was one of the first two Airbnb hosts to pay a fine ($1,000) under the new state law banning advertising for home rentals of less than 30 days.

Crain's has some perspective on the challenge ahead for the city to enforce this.

The number of potentially illegal Airbnb listings was 23,639 as of April, according to data from the company, though a portion of those ads could be for a stay in a single-family home or another type of dwelling exempt from the legislation. But based on current rates, it would take the Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement 43 years to run down those potential violations.

At least for now, hosts with only one listing have a slimmer chance of being caught, and according to Airbnb's site, 96% of hosts fall into this category. Since they stand to earn $750 a week on average, paying off the fine might not prove to be much of a deterrent.

The Daily News reported that the East Village resident was getting $446 a night for her city-subsidized affordable co-op on Sixth Street.

Looking at the BP-replacing condos coming to 32 E. 1st St.

As we noted two weeks ago, the mural by Brazilian twins Os Gêmeos was starting to disappear behind the new 10-story retail-residential building at 24 Second Ave. and First Street.

CityRealty had more details this week about the "spiffy collection of condos" expected to be finished later next year. For starters, the official address of the building housing 33 condos is 32 E. First St.

Here's more via CityRealty:

The lively and geometric exterior is designed by the design firm Combined who is a joint-partnership between RSVP Architecture Studio and N-Plus Design Studio. The façade is composed of stone-colored frames that project from a face of windows and dark-colored spandrels and mullions.



New interior renderings show the forthcoming homes will have open layouts, arrays of windows that are not quite floor-to-ceiling, and beveled ceilings. The amenity offerings will include a fitness center, spa, mail room, communal terrace and a recreation room.

Here are some renderings via Combined. Updated: A rep for Combined said that they did not grant permission for the use of the renderings. So you can check out all the renderings at the Combined website. (Or CityRealty here.)

The property was home to BP, which closed in July 2014. The BP was the second-to-last gas station in the East Village.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The 2nd Avenue BP station has closed

Permits filed to demolish former 2nd Avenue BP station

More about the 10-story building taking the place of the former BP station at 24 2nd Ave.

Check out the new 10-story building for the former 2nd Avenue BP station

A ballerina for 2nd Avenue

2nd Avenue residential complex now complete with renderings on the plywood

Demolition watch: 3 E. 3rd St.

3 E. Third St. is wrapped and looking ready for demolition here just off of the Bowery.

Workers have baited the building for rats and removed asbestos...



As reported last fall, Brooklyn-based Barrett Design has plans for a seven-story mixed-use condoplex on the lot. The building will feature a retail condo on the ground floor and five apartments above, consisting of four full-floor units and a duplex penthouse.


[Rendering via Barrett Design]

No. 3 will join this luxurious corner of Third Street and the Bowery...



For the past 20-plus years, 3 E. Third St. served as short-term rentals for students and interns..


[3 E. 3rd St. in April 2015]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development site available on East 3rd Street at the Bowery

Taxi Parts Inc. departs the East Village

After nearly two years at 45 First Ave. (Suite 1C, per the awning), Taxi Parts Inc. has moved on...



The sign on the gates notes a new address up on Second Avenue between 111th Street and 112th Street. Before this, the business had been around for 25-plus years on 10th Avenue and 35th Street ... but their building was being razed to make way for the Hudson Yards mega-project.

No. 45 here between Second Street and Third Street was previously home to the barber shop that also bought gold.

Report: Crews working to clean up the Con Ed oil spill in the East River

As if the East River wasn’t toxic enough https://t.co/uw15dvcSnU

— New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) May 9, 2017

There have been news reports throughout the day about the Con Ed substation in DUMBO that "spewed dielectric fluid into the East River on Sunday, causing an oil slick that witnesses said could be seen in Queens," as Gothamist put it.

A Coast Guard spokesperson described this as a "catastrophic failure" of a transformer at the substation.

The spill also caused a voltage dip that caused delays on several subway lines and suspended NYC Ferry service.

Here's the official statement from ConEd:

Con Edison is working to contain and clean up transformer insulating oil that was released from one of our substations in Brooklyn near the East River. A transformer containing approximately 37,000 gallons of insulating oil used with electrical equipment, failed on Sunday May 7 at 12:23 p.m., causing much of the oil to be released within the station property in addition to the East River. The equipment failure also caused a system voltage dip that impacted the MTA’s signaling systems on Sunday, resulting in a disruption to some train service.

Con Edison responded immediately, placing boom, absorbents and skimmers in the river. Our own employees and environmental contractors are working on the cleanup, and we are working cooperatively with the U.S. Coast Guard, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and other agencies. We continue to assess the volume of oil that migrated to the East River, and how much oil remains in the ground on our property.

The Coast Guard has issued reduced speed restrictions for commercial vessels operating in the area, and banning recreational vessels, to assist the cleanup process. We are taking all actions to contain and clean up the oil as safely and as quickly as possible.

Noted

EVG reader Michael spotted this today on Avenue B at Sixth Street... one could probably find multiple uses for this...

EV Grieve Etc.: Memories and hot dogs at McSorley's

[Photo on 2nd Avenue by Derek Berg]

An excerpt from the new memoir, Two and Two: McSorley's, My Dad, and Me (Grub Street)

Speaking of McSorley's, starting today, Feltman's of Coney Island hot dogs will be added onto the saloon's daily menu

Man found floating in the East River at around 14th Street on Sunday afternoon (Town & Village)

Kushners apologize for name-dropping Jared to Chinese investors (The Post)

The Pickle Guys are breaking with tradition, now open on Saturdays (BoweryBoogie)

"9 to 5" showing tomorrow night as part of the Fearless Femmes in Film series (Village East Cinema)

Coney Island Mermaid Parade seeking financial help (Gothamist)

Former Lenox Lounge demolished in Harlem (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Diversions: Keith Haring's onstage collaboration with Material (Dangerous Minds)

New 7th Street rental named for artist Louise Nevelson; amenities include a backup generator

Rentals are underway at the all-new 222 E. Seventh St., a building originally thought to be condos here between Avenue B and Avenue C.

As we pointed out previously, the address was the onetime home and studio of famed sculpturist Louise Nevelson. Which explains this building's name — Nevelson House.

Workers first honored her memory by demolishing the previous four-floor building here.


[The former No. 222]

Streeteasy shows seven units ranging in price from $4,265 to $8,146, an entire floor at 1,455 square feet.

Here's a description of that unit:

This brand new floor through convertible 3 bedroom features an exclusive terrace, condo-level finishes such as Carrera marble Kitchen countertops and stainless steel appliances. Each apartment features an open layout with energy efficient, floor to ceiling windows. Apartments include radiant heated floors, customizable LED lighting, exclusive outdoor space, a dishwasher, an in-unit washer/dryer, and use of a high-end backup generator that can power the building during outages.

There are open houses for several of the units this week via broker Citi Habitats.

When the new development first revealed itself in 2011, it was named the rather jaunty Villa Capri, set to be ready in 2012.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Villa Capri condos coming to Seventh Street

[Updated] Work underway on the new residential conversion on East 7th Street

Bringing down 222 E. 7th St. brick by brick

About the cantilevering condos coming to 4th Avenue and 10th Street

Workers have now surrounded the new development site at 71 Fourth Ave. and 10th Street with a heavy-duty sidewalk bridge.

As previously noted, a 10-story, retail-residential complex will rise here. Given the square footage allotted for the 12 planned residences, condos were likely.

Last week, The Real Deal reported that NAVA Companies "is targeting a $72.4 million sellout" for the (officially now!) condoplex, according to a condo filing plan accepted by the New York State Attorney General’s office.

According to the filing, units would span an average of more than 2,000 square feet. The $72.4 million projected sellout means units would cost on average of over $6 million. The AG’s office approved the plan on April 7.

The NAVA website says that sales will begin in the fall. There's a teaser site up and running for the building, officially 80 E. 10th St. ... (at least this guy is wearing a shirt) ...



And as a reminder of the condo cantilevering to come...



Meanwhile, once the construction really gets going, 10th Street between Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue will be a tight, potentially dangerous, fit for pedestrians, motorists, cyclists...



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

Report: East Village resident pays fine for renting out city-subsidized home on Airbnb

An East Village resident was one of the first two New York residents to pay a fine under a law banning listings for short-term rentals, the Daily News reported.

The resident, listed as Jennifer Livingston, was reportedly renting "a city-subsidized affordable co-op on E. Sixth St. meant for low-income families." Her Airbnb listing said that the unit was going for $446 a night for the unit.

Per the News:

The city’s regulatory agreement with the building precludes it from being used for anything other than permanent housing, according to the city. But the two-bedroom, two-bath unit with a private deck was booked by guests often enough that it has more than 90 reviews on [the resident's] still-visible Airbnb host page.

The city found out about the listing after a neighbor complained in December, alleging loud music, parties and drug use.

Livingston paid a $1,000 fine.

The New York law went into effect last October but wasn't enforceable until February.

In New York, it is illegal to rent out an apartment for fewer than 30 days unless the host is present. The new law allows lawmakers to fine hosts for violations.

"The state law prohibiting illegal rental ads is helping us stop those who turn homes into hotels," Melissa Grace, a spokesperson for Mayor de Blasio, told the News.

According to a study released last fall, the zip codes 10009 and 10003 have a combined 418 full apartments listed on Airbnb — among the top-five most in the city.

Previously on EV Grieve:
East Village etiquette for AirBnBers: 'Don't piss off the locals'

Details on the 17th annual Joey Ramone Birthday Bash

Via the EVG inbox today...

Before succumbing to lymphatic cancer on April 15, 2001, Joey Ramone had been planning another of his infamous bashes for his 50th birthday. He'd asked his mother, Charlotte Lesher, and brother Mickey Leigh to promise they'd throw a huge party to celebrate the occasion, regardless.

The Joey Ramone Birthday Bash has since become an annual tradition. This year's Bash will take place on Friday, May 19, Joey's actual Birthday, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Studio at Webster Hall.

Headlining this year's event: Joey's former bandmates, drummer Richie Ramone and bassist CJ Ramone, will be playing in a trio formed just for this occasion called The Love Triangle, with Mickey Leigh on guitar. They'll perform several select songs from the seminal Ramones albums Leave Home and Rocket to Russia, both of which turn 40 this year.

Also being honored is David Peel, who passed away earlier this year and whose band David Peel & The Lower East Side had performed at previous Bash events. The Accelerators, Joff Wilson, Bill Connor and Koshek Swaminathan will take part in his Bash tribute. Performances from The Cuts and LES Stitches will also round out the night.

You can find ticket info here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Mickey Leigh on his brother Joey Ramone's 'New York City' video

Reader report: What's the story with the minivan collecting tickets on 12th Street?

An EVG reader writes in about about this minivan that has been parked on 12th Street just west of Avenue A.

It has been accumulating parking tickets. I don't see any plates on it, and there is a bunch of junk in the back, and a box for a space heater on the front seat. You would think it would get towed after so many tickets. Maybe someone knows the deal? Could it belong to someone working on Steiner East Village?

Updated 5/10

The vehicle has been scheduled for removal!