Bowery Boogie | A Lower East Side Chronicle

87 Rivington is Upgrading

Elie — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:34:00 +0000

Last month, we received a scare after seeing crews unloading debris into a dumpster outside 87 Rivington Street. At the time, it seemed that all signs pointed to demolition – the yellow box with RO drawn on shuttered gates, boarded windows, and constant site activity. However, freshly renewed DOB permits issued a few weeks ago indicate otherwise.

In fact, a residential renovation is in the works to upgrade the five-story tenement structure; a so-called “change of use and layout” to transform the fourteen-unit dwelling into just eight units. Late last week, we received some visual confirmation in the form of a bendy crane delivering plywood through the windows. Luxury condos on the way?

Meanwhile, it appears the worksite snack of choice is beef jerky! Though no word yet on whether the bombed-out payphone will remain post-renovation.

Norry Signage Erased

Elie — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:25:23 +0000

Utilizing chalkboard signage to mark a storefront is not the smartest of ideas, as evidenced by The Norry at 78 Rivington. Their nameplate was all but erased during the washout of this past weekend.

The Umbrella Cemetery

Elie — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:18:03 +0000

Today, during the third consecutive day of rain and gale-force winds, the Lower East Side is a flooded umbrella cemetery. The skeletal remains of umbrellas litter the streets – most are upturned and in precarious positions near garbage cans, or in the middle of traffic. Herewith, a few choice snapshots of the carnage.

The Delancey Junkyard

Elie — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:13:42 +0000

At the southwest corner of Delancey and Forsyth Streets, in the shadow of Templo Adventista del Septimo, a tiny parcel of Sara D. Roosevelt Park has become a colorful junkyard of sorts.

Indeed, a random assortment of discarded garbage and household items is visible behind the brush. Everything from closet hangers, cardboard boxes, and empty bottles, to hula hoops, clotheslines, and even a mattress. Garbage pile or outdoor living room?

Early Edition: March 15

Elie — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:00:49 +0000

Weekend Edition: March 14

Elie — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:25:31 +0000

Week in Review: March 13

Elie — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:44:46 +0000

The Landmarks Preservation Commission is considering landmark status for the Russian Orthodox Cathedral on East Second Street [Russian Orthodox Cathedral Considered for Landmarking]

A partial stop work order is in effect at the now-demolished 185 Bowery [Stop Work Order Issued at 185 Bowery]

Diesel’s “Be Stupid” ad campaign continues to irk [Yes, Diesel is Stupid]

Bowery Presents is expanding its music empire to the Boston region [Bowery Presents Expands to Boston]

A new seasonal neighborhood flea is coming this spring – the Hester Street Fair [Coming Soon: Hester Street Fair]

Weekend Edition: March 13

Elie — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:12:34 +0000

[Photo via ibexclusive]

Nabe News: March 12

Elie — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:23:10 +0000

Federal Reserve tagged, Ray is the line in the sand, and St. Mark’s hawks, all in today’s neighborhood news roundup!

In a piece about the recent battle between Ray’s Candy Store and the changing East Village, The Observer is quick to point out that “local residents feel they have seen every quirk of their neighborhood ironed out and turned into a Chase Bank.” The paper quotes Reverend Billy’s remark that Ray is “a line in the sand.” [Observer via EV Grieve]

Jeremiah reports that P.J. Hanley’s pizza shop is on the precipice of opening in the old Cosmos Parcels space on First Avenue. With a big garden out back, will this become another offender in the downtown noise wars? [Vanishing NY]

The woman fatally struck by a northbound 6 train at the 77th Street station while attempting to retrieve her dropped bag was a resident of Stuy Town. “Rose Mankos lost her life trying to retrieve a nylon LeSportsac bag filled with exercise clothes, toiletries and her cellphone, sources said.” [NY Post]

Hawks flying high above Second Avenue and St. Mark’s Place [GammaBlog]

The Federal Reserve building in the Financial District was recently tagged with the phrase “Audit Me.” [EV Grieve]

Stop Work Order Issued at 185 Bowery

Elie — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:32:48 +0000

Demolition of the century-old townhouse at 185 Bowery has hit the proverbial wall. Last Friday, March 5, the DOB issued a Stop Work Order to halt all work on premises.

However, just yesterday, the edict was reduced to a partial order. According to the official paperwork, the owners need to “make site safe, remove & secure all debris, secure fence & remove any loose material; seal facade; seal stairway.” That’s a pretty big laundry list…