That penthouse with a cottage atop 1st Street and 1st Avenue is for sale

Thanks to Curbed for first pointing out this one yesterday afternoon...

The penthouse at 72 East First St. at First Avenue is now on the market... it's the home that includes that Cape Cod-style cottage on its rooftop.



Per the listing at Compass:

Truly the most unique property in the East Village, the penthouse at 72 East 1st Street is a full floor duplex with an artist atelier topped with a custom designed Nantucket style cottage. The prime corner location, unobstructed views of Lower Manhattan through twenty-two windows, two wood burning fireplaces, and low monthlies create a spectacular offering that can only be described as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Featuring over 3,000 interior and exterior square feet, the residence is currently configured as two separate spaces, a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom duplex occupying the entire fourth and fifth floors and a cottage apartment with a private wraparound terrace. With creative vision, this penthouse can be converted to a single residence or left as individual units.

And that rooftop cottage:

The crown jewel of this offering is a loft penthouse built on the roof in design of a Nantucket cottage with weathered shingles, cupola and wraparound terrace. New Marvin true divided light windows and a glass block wall highlight extraordinary open views through three exposures. Direct access to the private roof terrace from double french doors create a charming retreat and a rare offering in all of Manhattan. The cottage includes a full bathroom and kitchenette.

Asking price: $3.5 million

Images via Compass

Updated: 99 Miles to Philly is now The Joint on 3rd Avenue

There is a branding/name switcheroo at 94 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street ... where cheesesteak specialists 99 Miles to Philly are now The Joint.

EVG reader Kerry on E. 12th shared the above photo from Tuesday night. Per Kerry:

Looks like 99 Miles to Philly has re-branded as The Joint and is now serving burgers and dogs in addition to their awesome cheesesteaks. The team is the same and they treat their neighborhood regulars like family. Those guys put up with a lot of tough customers in the wee hours of the morning, but they take good care of their neighbors. Place looks a little spiffier and in the name of independent neighborhood journalism, I sampled both a burger and a hot dog: both great!

I reached out to the 99 Miles to Philly ownership to learn more. The quick-serve restaurant first opened here in February 2005.

Updated 10 a.m.

99 Miles partner Neil Barsky shared more about The Joint.

"After 12 years and outlasting every other cheeseteak joint that did not have a bar attached to it, we could no longer survive the costs of doing business in NYC with only having basically one product," he said via email. "We had a choice — close or take advantage of the vacancies left by the closing of Blue 9 and other restaurants in the area. We felt by rebranding with an expanded new menu, which will ... feature Pat LaFrieda's burgers, specialty hot dogs and monthly specialty sandwiches, we could continue to survive and keep good people employed."

UPDATED 'Port of Shadows (Quai des brumes)' Friday night in Tompkins Square Park

Updated 7/14 — The screening has been postponed due to the rain. New date: Sunday, July 16, at 8:30 p.m. ...

The Films on the Green series returns to Tompkins Square tomorrow night.

• Friday, July 14, 8:30 p.m.
"Port of Shadows (Quai des brumes)"
By Marcel Carné, 1938, starring Jean Gabin and Michèle Morgan
Film selected by Laurie Anderson, guest curator



Unfortunately, last Friday evening's screening was interrupted by the downpour.

Find the remaining Films on the Green schedule in other city parks here.

Reminders: The 'Not Another Starbucks Rally' is this evening

[Photo from July 3]

Via the EVG inbox...

Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, East Village Independent Merchants Association, East Village Community Coalition, other local businesses and residents will hold a rally and press conference calling attention to the proliferation of chain stores in the East Village, an area known for small, independently-owned and unique businesses, highlighting how chains promote homogeneity, take money out of neighborhoods, lead to vacancies as landlords wait for a national chain to pay exorbitant rents and put local independent stores out of business.

At the rally participants will call for the approval of a Special Retail District that would limit the size and number of chain stores and promote retail diversity that is currently under consideration by Community Board #3, promote a Shop Local campaign and draw attention to the need for a City Council hearing on the Small Business Jobs Survival Act.

Coffee will be served by local café owners.

What: Not Another Starbucks Rally
Where: 125 Saint Mark’s Place at Avenue A
When: Thursday, July 13, 5:30 p.m.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Steve Cuozzo: 'A new Starbucks will make the thriving East Village an even better place to live'

A look the incoming Starbucks on St. Mark's and Avenue A, site of a rally on July 13

Wednesday's parting shot

Manhattanhenge was not to be this evening.

There's one more chance tomorrow evening for a photo opp as the sun's evening descent conforms perfectly to the pattern of the city's east-west streets.

According to the American Museum of Natural History, at 8:21 p.m. tomorrow, half of the sun will align with the streets and illuminate half of the buildings. Weather permitting.

Photo on 14th Street at Avenue C tonight by Peter Brownscombe

Did you lose a parakeet?

A construction worker found the bird here earlier today in the vicinity of Third Avenue and Ninth Street... an EVG reader has custody of it at the moment ... let us know via email.

Report: Cup & Saucer Luncheonette closing next week on the LES

[Photo from 2011]

The Cup & Saucer Luncheonette, the classic diner on Canal and Eldridge, is closing next week.

The Lo-Down has the scoop:

The reason for the closure is a steep rent increase, to $15,000 per month including real estate taxes. The last day in business will be next Monday, July 17.

The diner first opened in 1940. The current owners took over in 1988.

Developing: Activity at the Tompkins Square Park sinkhole; the Crazy Stallion connection

Thanks you for all the emails, tweets and Instagrams... noting that there is activity at the site of the Tompkins Square Park sinkhole at the Avenue B/Eighth Street entrance. The photos here are by EVG correspondent Steven. Updates to follow, unless nothing else happens.

And for those of you concerned about the status of the trashcan the sinkhole swallowed... it appears to be in good shape... ready to collect trash again after a stint in PT...



Also, we can exclusively reveal what else was inside the sinkhole...



Two empty cans of Crazy Stallion.

Updated





Evening update

Progress?



Thanks to @dens for the photo!

NYPD looking for help in identifying man found in the East River on July 4

[Photo on July 4 by Dave on 7th]

On July 4, a man's body was found in the East River near Sixth Street and the FDR.

Patch reports that authorities still haven't been able to identify the man. The NYPD released a sketch of his face on to try and find clues as to who he is....



Per Patch: "Police say the man is believed to be about 40 years old, and that he was wearing gray sneakers, jeans and a black Casio G-Shock watch at the time of his death."

A moment with Candy the Gem Spa cat this morning

Is that a busted look?





Photos by Derek Berg

Candy is on Facebook too.

Out and About in the East Village

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 or Lower East Side.



By James Maher

Name: Grace Kang
Occupation: Owner, Pink Olive, 9th Street between 1st and A
Photo Location: 8th Street
Date: Wednesday, June 21

I was born in Korea and we emigrated when I was 7 to Las Vegas. We later moved to California, then my father got a job for the City of New York. So we moved to New Jersey when I was in 7th grade. I grew up there and New York was the place where I came to start my adult life.

I was always in retail. I was a buyer for Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York. I was in the fashion space, which was competitive and fast-paced. I always said that if you can survive fashion in New York, you can survive anything.

The East Village has a very special place in my heart since it was [the location of] the first Pink Olive store. The East Village is where I feel like I grew up and found my home when we moved to the city. It was one of those places where I just felt comfortable. The city can be very overwhelming for a lot of people and the East Village is very neighborhoody.

I remember the East Village being a place where I could discover new things, whether it would be new inspirations or ideas. Especially Ninth Street, when it was starting to come into its own. Usually side streets are not the best location for commercial spots, it’s usually all about the avenues, but there was something about Ninth Street that felt like there was something happening. I wanted to be part of that, so when I found the space it was kind of a no-brainer to open my first shop. That was 2007. I just celebrated 10 years. We’re a whimsical gift and lifestyle boutique. We carry an eclectic mix of a lot of creative gifting ideas for little ones to loved ones.

I always thought I would open up a clothing store because that was my background, but looking back, I think I didn’t because that space is not only competitive, which I don’t mind, but it was also a different world back then from where it is now. To be honest, I’m not sure I would have survived that world, because it’s even hard for the big companies, not to mention the little ones. I managed to luck out with the landlords that I ended up meeting. That’s half the battle with any retail business.

There are still some good landlords out there, and when you find one of them, you have to jump on [the opportunity]. I’ve heard the opposite side of that — so many scenarios. I have friends with retail businesses and heard stories of going to court with landlords or getting booted out. It happened on Ninth Street near us. All of those businesses had to leave when Icon bought the building [at 441-445 E. Ninth St.]. It’s sad when that happens. Those were my neighbors, my friends — they really completed that Ninth Street experience.

James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.

Construction watch: Thirteen East + West

Over on 13th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue, two, 6-floor condos called Thirteen East + West are in progress in space that housed single-level garages.

The top photo shows the status of what is the East building (the former No. 442) ... apparently this one received all the attention first from workers. The West (the former No. 436) building remains in the pit stages...





As we pointed out in previous posts, each building has six floor-through homes, all with private outdoor space. Pricing will start at $2.3 million; $3.4 million for the penthouses. The penthouses at each building will have their own private garages and roof decks. And like most East Village apartments, all units will be finished with white oak flooring, oversized windows and black lacquer Lualdi doors from Italy, and kitchens are fitted with Thermador- and Bosch-brand appliances.

Finally, a look at the final product via the rendering on the plywood...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Tracking the coming changes to East 13th Street between Avenue A and 1st Avenue

A look at the new luxury condos coming soon to East 13th Street

Temporary art and future condos on East 13th Street

Demo time for East 13th Street garages that will yield to luxury condos

A look at the residences coming to Thirteen East + West on East 13th Street

Your chance for enjoying Summer Streets and Smellmapping Astor Place coming next month

[4th Avenue on July 1]

Yesterday, the city/Citi announced plans for the annual Summer Streets ... coming up on Aug. 5, Aug. 12 and Aug. 19.

Per the Summer Streets site:

Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City’s most valuable public space—our streets. On three consecutive Saturdays in August, nearly seven miles of NYC's streets are opened for people to play, run, walk and bike. Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation. In 2016, nearly 300,000 people took advantage of the open streets.

Summer Streets is modeled on other events from around the world including Ciclovía in Bogotá, Colombia and the Paris Plage in France and has since inspired other such events around the world such as CicloRecreo Via and London's Regent Street Summer Streets.

Held between 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, Summer Streets extends from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, along Park Avenue and connecting streets, with easy access from all points in New York City, allowing participants to plan a trip as long or short as they wish. All activities at Summer Streets are free of charge, and designed for people of all ages and ability levels to share the streets respectfully.

As in previous years, the car-free, Street-Festival-Free zone includes Lafayette, Astor Place and Fourth Avenue.

There will be several activities at Astor Place:

To explore all of your senses, the Astor Place Rest Stop will for the first time feature The Citi Experience inviting the public to tap into all of their senses with a 360 degree Mt. Everest VR experience and a New York-centric mini golf course.

And!

Smellmapping Astor Place
DOT Art and the Village Alliance have partnered with designer Kate McLean to produce a Smellmap of the Astor Place neighborhood. Three smellwalks were hosted over the past few months with local residents and stakeholders to gather smell data/information. Participants were asked to explore the environment strictly through their sense of smell by smell catching (receiving smell info), smell hunting (searching for smell info) and lastly free smelling (a mini smell research project). Mclean has collected all the smell data and visualized the findings as a colorful smellmap. McLean will be on-site to lead two walks at 9 am and 11 am to continue building on this research and invites participants to incorporate their findings into a large-scale smellmap available on-site.

Take the #smelltour ( not kidding) at #SummerStreets 2017. Yes, dog poop and garbage is in the list #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/tYxVFxAkww

— Juliet Papa (@winsjuliet) July 11, 2017

Head over to the Summer Streets site for more details.

Looking at the new-look 29 Second Ave.

[The old-look No. 29]

You may have noticed that 29 Second Ave. between First Street and Second Street has a new look... outside...



... and inside as well.

The three-bedroom residence above the (two-floor) retail space recently arrived on the market via CitiHabitat:

Welcome to 29 Second Avenue, a building recreated with newly renovated interiors. The residences at 29 Second Avenue boast all of the essentials of new construction: central air conditioning and heating, washer and dryer in the unit, custom kitchens with luxury appliances, white shaker cabinetry, quartz counter tops and backsplashes, and porcelain tile-clad bathrooms with custom vanities and glass-enclosed showers. The apartment features extra wide white oak plank floors throughout, solid core wood doors with chrome hardware, LED dimmable lighting with smart technology capabilities, USB electrical outlets, an HD video intercom, exposed brick and ample closet space.

The custom Chef’s Kitchen features a coordinated LG stainless steel appliance package, complete with dishwasher, built-in microwave with vented hood, and garbage disposal. The countertops and backsplash are Calacatta Quartz with a luxurious book matched waterfall enhancing the shaker style solid wood cabinetry with soft closing hardware. The vast living space is perfect for home entertaining with a custom built-in bar, complete with a wine chiller and an ice maker.

The apartment includes three full bathrooms with radiant heated flooring, imported Italian tile, linear shower drains, rain shower with additional hand shower on slide bar, full glass enclosures, quartz counter tops with fully wrapped waterfall over custom vanities, and recessed medicine cabinets.

The asking rent is now $11,995 after a $1,505 price reduction earlier this week.

Meanwhile, the retail space has been asking $23,000-plus change ... the previous tenant here, The Cock, moved a few blocks to the north in December 2015.

Earlier this year, Highpoint Property Group purchased the building for $4.55 million from Jared Kushner's Westminster Management, according to public records.

Tuesday's parting shot

In the rain late this afternoon on Avenue B and Ninth Street...

Photo by Bobby Williams

Report: Man sentenced to 40 years in 2011 shooting death of teen outside Campos Plaza

Hockeem Smith, who gunned down a teen outside the Campos Plaza Housing Complex on 12th Street near Avenue C in October 2011, has reportedly been sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Smith, who was 24 in 2011, received a 25-year sentence for manslaughter and an additional 15 years for criminal possession of a weapon, as Town & Village reported.

The victim, 18-year-old Donovan “Keith” Salgado (pictured), was a senior at Washington Irving High School who lived on Ninth Street, a block away from Smith.

The Lo-Down reported at the time that Salgado's mother was the leader of an anti-violence youth group. The shooting reportedly occurred following a game of late-night dice. Smith attempted to rob Salgado prior to the shooting, per DNAinfo.

[Photo via the Daily News]

An outpost of the Ainsworth vying for former Pourhouse space; E.Vil is not coming

The owners of the Ainsworth, an upscale sports bar with multiple NYC locations, is vying for the former Village Pourhouse space on Third Avenue at 11th Street.

Team Ainsworth (Matthew Shendell is the principal owner) will appear before CB3's SLA committee next Monday night.



According to the questionnaire on file at the CB3 website, the Ainsworth East Village is seeking hours of 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday to Sunday.

The Ainsworth is also looking to license the sidewalk for outdoor seating. The application shows seven tables seating 14 people for the outside. (The Village Pourhouse also had a license for the sidewalk.)

And now, you may be wondering what happened to E.Vil, a rock-inspired bar expected to open here at 64 Third Ave. "where you go to hear Aerosmith, the Clash, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, ’80s/’90s rock, the Cult," according to Page Six back on March 20.

E.Vil's Instagram once noted an April 17 opening date. The account, mostly iconic photos of everyone from David Bowie to Johnny Thunders to the Sex Pistols, hasn't been updated since early April. At one point, the account showed a June 1 opening date ...





Perhaps E.Vil will turn up elsewhere. In May, someone spray painted E.Vil on the side of the former Pourhouse...



The legend lives on.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Village Pourhouse still looks like the Village Pourhouse outside, but E.Vil is on the way

Village Pourhouse is closing on 3rd Avenue; E.Vil is coming soon

E.Vil is coming to the East Village

A few more details on the end of Webster Hall in its current format

The current owners of Webster Hall offered more details about the closure of the club in a Facebook post early yesterday via Gerard McNamee Jr., director of operations...

Sad but true, the legendary and world-famous Webster Hall has been sold and will close as we know it for its final club night on Saturday August 5th, 2017, which just so happens to be my birthday, which is certainly somehow apropos. It will be closed for an undisclosed period of time for demo, reno and transition to corporate ownership under Barclays/AEG/Bowery Presents. I highly recommend that you all stop by before the end of this era to pay your respects to the Ballingers and the building for providing us with a lifetimes worth of memories.

The Ballinger family has owned and operated Webster Hall since 1989.

Anyway, so the last club night is Aug. 5. As we noted back in May, the last concert date was listed on Aug. 8 (Michelle Branch: The Hopeless Romantic Tour). A record release show with Marateck is now on the calendar on Aug. 9 in the Studio. And that's it.

After that, the new owners, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment along with AEG-backed The Bowery Presents, will begin renovations at the landmarked building on 11th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

An EVG reader was at the recent CB3-SLA committee meeting in which Spectrum Catering and Concessions was applying for a new liquor license. (The 25-year-old company provides concessions for a variety of venues and festivals nationwide. In NYC, they manage Terminal 5, the Music Hall of Williamsburg, Rough Trade and Brooklyn Steel.)

Per the reader:

No more club/late night parties.
No more Marlin Room.
Reducing capacity due to the addition of elevators.
Minimum closure of 18 to 24 months starting August 11th

DNAinfo has some background on the liquor license application here.

Finally, as noted last Friday, a group of filmmakers, who are also working at the venue, hope to make a documentary on Webster Hall's last month.

Webster Hall was built in 1886. Alex has a post here yesterday about when the venue was the Ritz.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The plan to document the last month of Webster Hall's existence

Speculation about Webster Hall's closing date

Raphael Toledano-owned East 6th Street building returns to the market for a few million more

The 6-story walk-up building at 332 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue is back on the sales market.

Here's part of the listing, via Cushman & Wakefield:

The entire building underwent a gut renovation in 2016 that included the build out of an expansive resident accessible rear deck space, upgraded common areas, and fully updated mechanicals. Current ownership also has approved plans for a restoration of the facade from Landmarks they are currently undergoing.

The apartments feature Chef's range kitchens, custom granite countertops, dishwashers, stackable washers/dryers, wide plank oak floors, and custom lighting. 8 of the units are 3-BRs and 4 are 2-BRs. Upon being renovated, the units were leased immediately at near market rents showing the high demand for apartments in the immediate vicinity. Furthermore, each unit has a gas boiler (tenants pay) reducing operating expenses in perpetuity. There is potential upside in the RS units along with adding an an addition using the 2,950 SF of air rights subject to Landmarks approval.

This is a great opportunity to acquire a low maintenance and high cash flowing multi-family asset in the heart of the East Village.

Asking price: $10.5 million.

In early 2016, presumably pre gut renovation, the building was seeking $8 million. At that time, of the 12 units, nine were empty and three were rent-stabilized.

Public records show that Raphael Toledano's Brookhill Properties bought the building in January 2016 for $4.5 million. (This was owned by the Tabak family, though not part of the larger portfolio they sold to Toledano.)

As previously reported, Madison Realty Capital has replaced the controversial landlord as the property manager of his remaining East Village buildings while a deal to transfer the ownership is worked out.

Here's what's coming to 222 1st Ave.

An outpost of the hearing-care company HearUSA is opening on the east side of First Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Street.

The space was previously a hair salon.

Tompkins Square Park sinkhole awaiting new pipe

On Saturday, workers began digging out the 4-week-old sinkhole at the Eighth Street/Avenue B entrance to Tompkins Square Park.

A worker said that he was making way for the plumbers to fix the vitrified clay pipe (guessing!) installed during the Cleveland administration that broke.

Unfortunately, the plumber apparently couldn't make it today. The hole remains uncovered, awaiting new pipe...





The good news is the trashcan that the sinkhole swallowed has been safely retrieved.

Noted

[Courtesy of Dallas BBQ]

Via the EVG inbox...

Come out to Dallas BBQ and celebrate National Piña Colada Day today!

Even though piña coladas originated in San Juan, Puerto Rico, you don’t have to travel to the Caribbean for a delicious, refreshing piña colada. Stop by any of Dallas BBQ 10 popular locations throughout New York City to enjoy DBBQ most popular piña coladas, the ‘Blue Hawaii’ with blue raspberry flavor or if your taste buds wants something a bit stronger, try the ‘Beach Bomb,’ a Blue Hawaii topped with frozen pineapple crush with a healthy shot of 151.

No need to go to the beach, stop by Dallas BBQ today and celebrate National Piña Colada Day TEXAS-SIZE!

Dallas BBQ is on the corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place.

Work on new Avenue A entrances to the L train looks to be getting underway

Starting today, the MTA is relocating bus stops for the M14A and M14D between First Avenue and Avenue B.

For instance, the eastbound M14A will now pick up and drop off passengers on Avenue A between 14th Street and 13th Street ... the signs kind of explain the new system...



This is all apparently in preparation for building new entrances at Avenue A and a new power station at Avenue B for the L train. The MTA has said that the Avenue A entrances would serve 60 percent of the station’s ridership. (The First Avenue station sees 24,286 daily weekday riders, according to the MTA's website.)

As previously reported, this work is starting ahead of the L train shutdown between Bedford Avenue and Eighth Avenue to repair the Sandy-damaged Canarsie Tunnel. The shutdown of the L is expected to last 15 months with a start date of April 2019. The MTA signage on 14th Street notes a completion date of the fourth quarter of 2020 at a cost of $900 million.



Here's part of an MTA news release from March:

Prior to the tunnel closure, extensive station work will be performed that will increase operational efficiency and improve accessibility and circulation. Station improvements at the 1 Av and Bedford Av L Subway stations will include new stairways, and four ADA-compliant elevators and other work to improve customer flow.

Construction of a new Avenue B substation and other infrastructure will address power requirements that, combined with the existing CBTC signal system, will allow more trains to run on the line to accommodate growing ridership.

There's no word how long this First Avenue/Avenue A station work will last. Presumably you won't be able to take advantage of these new entrances until the fourth quarter of 2020 when the L train tunnel rehabilitation is complete.

And here's a look at where some work has already started taking place, such as across from the Associated Supermarket...



... and outside the diner on 14th Street...





... and just east of Avenue B, there are barrels set up around the Citi Bike docking station, which likely seems to be a candidate for a relocation...



Workers have also removed the bus shelters on 14th Street, in an unannounced move. Town & Village noted this back on Friday. The MTA gave this convoluted statement to them:

The existing bus stops on the westbound side of 14th Street on the island at Avenues A and B have shelters which were removed this past Friday in advance of the two bus stops being relocated this week. Both of these stops which are on the west side of the intersection now and will be moved to the east side of the intersection. The bus shelters will not be installed at the temporary stops but will be replaced at the end of the project when the stops are relocated back to their permanent location.

The existing bus stop on the eastbound side (south side of 14th Street) at Avenue A does not have a shelter. This stop will be moved this week as well. The bus stop for M14A will move around the corner on Ave A. The stop for M14D will be move to the east side of Avenue A intersection, however, since there is a building construction project occupying that space for the next nine months the bus stop for M14D at Avenue A will be eliminated until next spring (one stop is at First Avenue and the next will be at Avenue B). M14D customers who want to exit at Avenue A will be advised to take M14A bus while the bus stop for M14D at Ave A is not available.

So no bus shelters here until the work is complete.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Avenue A L train entrance closer to a reality … some day

CB3 and Sen. Squadron to address frequency and reliability of M14A bus service

Speaking of the MTA and the M14A... During CB3's Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee meeting tomorrow night, State Sen. Daniel Squadron's office will provide an update on requests for improved M14A service — specifically the frequency of the buses.

This is also a chance for residents to speak out about the issue. CB3 tweeted last week: "Concerned about frequency & reliability of M14A bus in your neighborhood? We need 2 hear from u!"

Upon continuing to hear complaints about the frequency of the M14A, Squadron took another crack at improving service late last year. Per The Lo-Down last November:

In a letter to Veronique Hakim, president of New York City Transit, he explained, “M14A and M14D bus service is critical to the Lower East Side community. These lines provide much needed public transportation to a transit-starved area. My office receives complaints about long wait times for buses, bus bunching, and unexpected scheduling of the two lines.”

In 2014, the MTA dismissed requests from residents for more frequent 14A service.

Cooperatively Yours, the LES-based blog for tenants, had this to say about the situation the other day:

It’s happened to all of us: waiting 30 minutes or more for the M14A at Union Square while watching bus after bus after bus marked M14D pick up passengers. The MTA says there’s a 3-to-1 ratio. The question is, why the disparity?

The MTA then reviewed ridership and decided that the frequency of buses was consistent with the count of riders. Advocates ... said those counts were flawed because of how many people at Union Square just give up on getting an M14A and hop on the M14D instead.

The committee meeting is tomorrow (Tuesday!) night at 6:45 at Downtown Art, 1st Floor Theater, 70 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery. This is the third item on the meeting docket.