Report: Gregg Singer offers former P.S. 64 for use as a medical facility during COVID-19 crisis

ICYMI: Controversial landlord Gregg Singer has offered to donate the former P.S. 64 on Ninth Street to the city for use to potentially treat patients infected with the coronavirus.

As Crain's first reported, Singer conveyed his offer in a letter to Mayor de Blasio as well as to the offices of Gov. Cuomo and President Trump.

According to published reports, the city is seeking potential medical surge facilities, such as hotels, dorms and even the Javits Convention Center.

The city dismissed the offer to use the derelict building that has been vacant for more than 20 years between Avenue B and Avenue C.

“We’re not interested,” the spokeswoman told Crain’s “It doesn’t meet our needs.”

The building looks to be in disrepair, with broken windows and a crack in the facade on the western corner of the landmarked building.

However:

“We have an engineer’s report stating the building is safe,” Singer said. “It’s like when you build a makeshift hospital or triage center in an open field. This would be the same thing here, but indoors.”

Singer bought the property — the former P.S 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center — from the city during an auction in 1998. You can read the archives for more on the long history here.

Sunday's parting shot

Thanks to Goggla for sharing this moment of beauty today... the magnolia tree in the New York City Marble Cemetery on Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue is in full bloom...

Local community gardens are now closed to the public

[View of the 6BC Botanical Garden]

In response to Gov. Cuomo's PAUSE executive order, community gardens in the East Village and elsewhere in NYC are now only open to volunteers for "absolutely necessary maintenance."

Here's part of an email to gardeners from Bill LoSasso, director of the GreenThumb program:

I hope that you're all healthy and staying safe ... Effective immediately, and until further notice, all gardens on NYC Parks property are open to gardeners only, and only for absolutely necessary maintenance. They must remain closed to the public. While this will be disappointing to many, this is a necessary decision in order to help protect public health.

You can find the full policy and updates at this link.

Peace & Amnesty

As seen on Avenue A.

Thanks to Brian for the photo!

Week in Grieview

[Photo by Derek Berg]

Coronavirus-related posts this week included...

• NYC shutting down: public schools, restaurants, bars and movie theaters (Monday)

• Press pause: Gov. Cuomo says all non-essential workers must stay home (Friday)

• East Village Neighbors here to help during the coronavirus outbreak (Saturday)

• Updating: What's open in the East Village for takeout and delivery (Tuesday)

• Little Tong returns to service with donation-based takeout meals (Saturday)

• Local grocery stores with special hours for people 60 and over (Friday)

• These 2 East Village mainstays are open for now (Wednesday)

• San Loco's special delivery to 2 local hospitals (Friday)

• Daily bread at C&B Cafe (Thursday)

• A heartbreaking look at temporarily closed East Village businesses (Thursday)

• Ravi DeRossi's East Village restaurants are giving out free vegan lunches to NYC school kids (Tuesday)

• Materials needed for mask-making at Mary O's on Avenue A (Friday)

• Checking in on La Sirena Mexican Folk Art (Tuesday)

• Checking in on Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocery (Thursday)

• The return of Grant Shaffer's NY See (Thursday)

• St. Patrick's Day at McSorley's (Tuesday)

• Loews Village 7 likely closed for 6-12 weeks (Wednesday)

• The 1st Avenue fruit cart has departed (Friday)

• A new to-go window (aka the front door) at Bee Wine & Liquors on Avenue B (Saturday)

• A new era for Urban Etiquette Signs? (Friday)

• 911 calls in the coronavirus era (Thursday)

• Street signs of the times (Friday)

• March 19-21 (Saturday)

... and a nice aerial shot of Tompkins Square Park from 10th Street the other day via Daniel...



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far above

The other day, while watching the red-tailed hawks, peter radley and others spotted two bald eagles flying over Tompkins Square Park ... which inspired the following...

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far above

overly warm march

brings us eyes binoculed

hawk paparazzi cameras

search that moment individual

through park branches

captured mostly not

secondary to this moment

more than disbelief

far above what soars

two bald eagles

making taking our day

we their prey

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peter radley

The Tompkins Square Park Greenmarket is open today

The Greenmarket is open today along Avenue A at Seventh Street, as these photos by Steven show.

Signs are up reminding people about social distancing... and touching products...



Today also marks the last day for now to drop off food scraps at Tompkins Square Park ...



As EVG regular Daniel noted, New York State considers farmer's markets to be essential businesses that can stay open during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Union Square Greenmarket is expected to be open tomorrow.

You can monitor any changes to the Greenmarket schedules via the GrowNYC site.

A free coronavirus courier service

Several EVG readers have shared this flyer (spotted along Avenue A and First Avenue) ... a group of cyclists are providing a free delivery service during the COVID-19 crisis.

As the flyer shows, they'll make no-contact deliveries of items like groceries and medical supplies. (Quick note: While the delivery is free, you are expected to pay for the items via Venmo or another service.)

Those interested should call or text (929) 320-0660 or email.

A new to-go window (aka the front door) at Bee Wine & Liquors on Avenue B

Bee Wines & Liquors, 225 Avenue B between 13th Street and 14th Street, has a makeshift to-go system in place ... allowing for counter service without letting customers into the shop. Thanks to @12stTales for the tip/photo.

Little Tong returns to service with donation-based takeout meals

Last Sunday, Little Tong closed after three years on the southwest corner of First Avenue and 11th Street.

However, they are back, working with a nonprofit to serve donation-based meals.

Here's more via the EVG inbox:

Since closing over the weekend, Little Tong is now working with Rethink Food NYC, a nonprofit dedicated to feeding those in need, as the first restaurant to join the Restaurant Response Program.

The program will provide a $40,000 grant for 30 NYC-based restaurants at risk of closing operations due to the coronavirus outbreak. The expectation is that restaurants accepted to participate in the program will turn their restaurants into community kitchens, using the funds to prepare meals for affordable price points, continuing to employ team members and temporarily operate on a distributor model to help mitigate the effects of any food shortages.

Little Tong plans to cook 500 meals a day from noon to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. They will do this through April or longer if there is a need. All proceeds go to Rethink Food NYC. Food is available for pick up or no-contact delivery on Seamless or Grubhub.

Here is an updated list of East Village cafes-restaurants that are open

That are open for takeout and delivery. We started the list on Tuesday. Since then, a few places decided to throw in the towel. A few places decided to reopen after initially announcing a temporary closure.

As you can see in the top photo, Boulton & Watt at 5 Avenue A at First Street is open for takeout-delivery. You also get a roll of toilet paper with each order.

Meanwhile, find the work-in-progress open list at this EVG link.

East Village Neighbors here to help during the coronavirus outbreak

A group of residents have formed East Village Neighbors, a volunteer group to help out with activities, such as shopping and dog walking, for anyone who may need assistant during the COVID-19 crisis.

There is a volunteer form at this link.

They also have a Facebook Group here.

Flower petal power on 10th Street

A scene outside Crystal Garden and Evflorist at 247 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue... EVG reader Daniel shared these the other day... some positive vibes...



Updated 3/23

Evflorist remains open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Just two people can be in the shop at one time.

March 19-21

Three days, three discarded Christmas trees on Avenue A.