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W. 13th St.GazetteVoice of the W. 13th St. 100 Block Association, Inc., 143 W. 13th Street, Suite 105, New York, N.Y. 10011

Issue No. 7 March 2001

Let There Be Light!

Hallelujah!

The Block Association is proud to announce that,pursuant to a grant it obtained from the City, decora-tive Victorian-style streetlamps now grace our block.

While this endeavor has been some three years in themaking, the end result was well worth the wait.

Our success in obtaining these charming lampswithout charge to block residents involved a genu-inely grassroots effort. This victory should serve asinspiration since it demonstrates that City officials areavailable to assist ordinary residents seeking to im-prove the quality of life on their block. First andforemost, Association Treasurer Bill Borenstein con-ceived the idea, researched how the Association couldget a City grant, and then, under the aegis of the Block

Association, applied for the grant.Obtaining the grant, however, was only the first

round in our efforts. Some two years passed duringwhich Bill and our President, Gary Tomei, were incontinuous contact with officials at the Department ofTransportation urging them to implement the installa-tion of the lamps.

The removal of the old lamps started on February24; the first of the new lamps were installed on Febru-ary 26; by March 1, the job was completed.

We thank all the public officialswho went out of their way to aid usin this endeavor. The Department ofTransportation, which is responsiblefor installing lamps, had missed sometarget dates. However, Iris Weinshall

recently became Commissioner ofthe DOT. When Gary alerted her to our predicamentshe cut through the red tape and delivered the goodsCommissioner Weinshall handled our entreaties withcourtesy and responded expeditiously. We offer ourdeepest appreciation.

Special thanks also go to: State Senator Tom Duanewho, when he was Councilmember, obtained theoriginal appropriation in the City budget; ScottMelvin of Duanes staff; Councilmember ChristineQuinn who finished the project; and Borough Presi-

dent Virginia Fields; the Greenwich Village AllianceElizabeth Shuldiner and Ann Amato (presidents ofneighboring block associations); and Arthur StricklerDistrict Manager of Community Board 2.

Showcase Y to Occupy Armory Site

The 14th Street Armory has been razed and con-struction of a mixed-use high-rise is underway in itsstead. The McBurney YMCA will occupy the ground

The new lights have arrived!!!

Lets celebrate at the

Annual Meeting:Election of Officers

Tuesday, April 3, 2001,

7:30P.M.At t he Cit y and Cou n t r y Scho o l,

146 W 13 t h St ree t

Iris Weinshall

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floor and lower levels. This 67,000 sq. ft. facility willbe the first Y to be built in Manhattan in 70 years.

The Y will be a full community service YMCA forall ages. It will offer a panoply of services including:

1. An extensive gym which will feature: a seven-

lane swimming pool; strength training equip-ment; aerobics exercise equipment such as re-cumbent bicycles and elliptical cross trainers;

aerobics classes and stretch rooms; saunas andsteam rooms; a state-of-the-art health and well-ness facility.

2. A computer center for youth and adults.3. Multi-purpose rooms that could convert into

classrooms, meeting rooms (available to the

community), youth areas, and a Teen Center.The Y anticipates opening in 2003. Membership

fees have not yet been set. For more information, as itbecomes available, residents can call Janet DeMarco,the Ys Membership Director, at 741-9218.

In addition to the Y, the building (containing a two-story base topped with one 12-story and one 6-storytower) will have some 275 apartments of which 62will be NYU faculty residences, and some 40 will bereserved for low-income tenants.

Last year, the chain bulk retailer Costco had at-tempted to occupy the space that the Y has acquired.However, a large coalition of community groups, poli-ticians, retailers, and a union, represented by Arthur

Schwartz, filed suit to halt Costco.Costco then abandoned this effort

to occupy the Armory site. TheBlock Association had approved ofthe lawsuit and would have joined

as a plaintiff had Costco notabandoned its plan. Wecongratulate all members of the

coalition for their success in convincing Costco torelinquish its claim on the site. Given that Costcowould only have sold bulk items and would not haveprovided any garage space, it would have been aninappropriate use of the space.

Attorney Schwartz deserves special mention be-cause he represented the coalition without charge.Mr. Schwartz has extensive experience representingcommunity groups and labor unions. He is also along-time resident of the West Village and has beenone of the two Greenwich Village Democratic DistrictLeaders since 1995.

Tree Report

Vandals!The Block Association, as part of its continuing

program to beautify and improve this area, arrangedwith individual homeowners (at some expense) tohave flowers planted in the pits on our block. Shortlyafter the May 2000 planting, some despicable personpulled these plants out of their pits!

Although the New York City Department of For-estry maintains our trees, individual property ownersown the tree pits. No one may remove plants or a treefrom the tree pit without the permission of the land-owner. Anyone who does so has violated the law, isguilty of vandalism, and is subject to criminal penal-ties, including heavy fines.

What We Do for Our TreesOur block is adorned with a variety of beautiful

trees. There are honey locust trees, London planes

saphora, mulberry, and pear trees.All the trees in our tree pits on the sidewalks areregulated by the City of New York. No one may trimor alter these trees without the express consent of theCity. The Block Association had all of the tree pitsprofessionally fertilized this past autumn to help fur-ther their health and growth.

In addition, the Block Association had all of the

trees trimmed of dead branches and overhanginglimbs. One tree needed to be cabled and a few wereinspected for caterpillars.

Harm to Three TreesA truck broke off a large branch of a tree at 111 W.

13th. Another truck did such extensive damage to thetree in front of the City and Country School (146 W

Before and after: Gary Tomei with new tree nearCity & Country School

Arthur Schwartz

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13th) that the tree had to be removed and replaced(see photo above). The Block Association also hashad a dead tree replaced at 130 W. 13th.

Major Alterations at 156 W. 13th St.

Major alterations are under way at 156 W. 13thStreet. The Block Association opposed the originaldesign at the Landmarks Commission because it was

not in keeping with the historic character of the build-ing and our block. After several hearings and meet-ings in spring 2000, changes were made to the origi-nal plan, which would have included a structure onthe roof of that building visible from the street.

Although the revised plans call for the rear portionof the 1846 building to be altered in a way that willsomewhat increase its depth, the Block Association issatisfied that the basic integrity of the building and itsdesign have been preserved and thus we have not op-posed the most recent plans.

Our Executive Board members have closely moni-tored this situation, attending all of the LandmarksCommission hearings. We feel confident that an ap-propriate compromise has been reached. Our newneighbors have demonstrated that they are truly inter-ested in preserving the best of our neighborhood andwe welcome them enthusiastically.

The building will be the residence of CandidaSmith and her family. Candida is one of the daughtersof renowned sculptor David Smith (subject of a recentrooftop exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum ofArt). The main reason for adding space to the build-

ing is to house the family of Ms. Smith and her hus-band. The new owners also expect to exhibit severalsculptures by Ms. Smiths father.

Subway Exit

Our subway exit (near 175 W. 13th) to the SeventhAve. line has been in disrepair. Our contact at the

MTA has reported to us that thisstation is due for a renovation inabout one year, so they do notwish to do major repairs on it at

this time. At our urging, however,they did agree to spruce up theexit for us. In addition, they havedone some spackling of tiles,

fixed and painted the handrail, removed the graffiti,painted the ironwork, and repaired the stairs.

Sewer Backup

The sewer drain at the northwest corner of 13th andSixth Ave. was not clearing water from that cornerand a very large puddle, i.e., a small lake, was form-ing making it very difficult to cross in any directionThe Department of Sanitation responded quickly toour call and cleared the problem, permanently wehope.

Katharine House

Katharine House at 118 W. 13th Street has closedFinal transfer of ownership is scheduled for May2001. Our sources tell us that the new owners plan aresidential condominium. This being in a landmarkedarea, the faade of the building should remain exactlyas it is. Be assured that our Association will scruti

nize any plans for renova-tion.

The Ladies Christian

Union began in 1858 toshelter young workingwomen. The KatharineHouse at 118 W. 13thstarted to serve the organi-zation in 1910 as a singleold brownstone. Mr. Jo-seph Milbank gifted thebrownstone to the organiza-tion. Shortly thereafter, the

two adjacent properties were acquired to accommo-

date more young ladies. Later, all three buildingswere razed to make way for the present Georgian-typeresidence, which welcomed its first guests in 1931.

Of historical significance: To address the issue ofemployment for their young ladies, the Ladies Chris-tian Union opened an auxiliary in 1870 called theYoung Ladies Branch. By 1872, this auxiliary hadcompletely absorbed the employment work of LCUand became the prosperous and independent institu-tion called the Young Womens Christian Associationin 1875. By 1958, the YWCA had over 1900branches in the United States alone.

We bid a fond farewell to our Katharine Housewhich served as our Block Associations meetingroom for years.

Disturbances

The building at 144 W. 14th is in the process of amajor renovation. Pratt Institute will be the major occupant. The building has activated an exhaust venthat blows air and creates loud disturbing noise into

A lady enters Katharine House

Reminder:Reminder:Reminder:Reminder:

Mail in yoMail in yoMail in yoMail in your Dues.ur Dues.ur Dues.ur Dues.

Support your Block Association!Support your Block Association!Support your Block Association!Support your Block Association!

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the backyards of 13th Street brownstones (151-155).The Block Association has been in contact with theowners of that building to rectify this problem.

Graffiti

Periodically the Block Association has the graffitiremoved from mailboxes, lampposts, signs and thewall of the John Adams. If you see anyone engaging

in this act of vandalism, please ask him or her to stop.

New Garbage Can Enclosures

Attractivenew garbagecan enclo-sures are nowin place at thefour cornersof our block.In addition,there are twomore acrossSixth Ave.courtesy ofthe Green-wich VillageAlliance.The GVA iscomprised ofa number oflocal blockassociations

(of which we are one) and was formed to wield moreclout on neighborhood issues. The GVA is trying toraise funds for more of these enclosures on Sixth Ave.The Sanitation Department has been extremely coop-erative in these endeavors.

Personal Notes

The Block Association, along with residents of theblock, wishes Marshall Allen a very speedy recovery.In addition, we offer our sincere condolences to BruceTuchman on the passing of his wife, Lois Kasper.

Comings and Goings

106 W. 13th is no longer the site of Sieglers store,which has closed its doors. Posted in the window:Time to say goodbye after 106 years in the Village.According to The Villager, a fine arts gallery willopen in the space. It will be owned by John Amato,who until recently ran Synchronicity Space theaterand arts center on Mercer Street.

124 W. 13th has been sold and the new owner tellsus that there will be no restaurant at the ground levelwhere part of Zinnos used to be. The building is being renovated for the occupancy of the new owner.

126 W. 13th, which housed part of Zinnos formany years, is now the site of Gradisca restaurant.

154 W. 13th will house a new restaurant now thatCuisine de Saigon has departed. The new

French/Italian restaurant called Domicile will openas soon as renovations are completed. It will be runby one of our local residents.

We also note transitions of favorite shops on 6thAve. between 13th and 14th Streets. The biggest lossis Second Hand Rose, a renowned second-hand recordstore that is now the location of a seller of electronicgadgets. Mr. Dees shoe store formerly on that sameblock became a store that sells fragrances. A 99-censhop is a relatively recent arrival on that same blockSoon to come on the other side of the street: a branch

of the national clothing chain Urban Outfitters.An Equinox gym will soon occupy the site of theArt Greenwich theater at Greenwich Av. and 12th St.

Real Estate Update

The year 2000 was a banner year for the real estatemarket in Manhattan. Statistics for years end showthat residential real estate sales reached new highsOn our block, townhouses sold for $2.45 million$2.75 million, and $1.3 million. In January of thisyear, Katharine House at 116-20 W. 13th was sold bySothebys for almost $15 million. (see story above).

Coop sales for our block were strong, with two-bedroom units selling in the $400Ks and one-bedroom units selling from the $200Ks to $400Ks.

Currently two-bedroom, two-bath coops on ourblock range in price from $599K to $860K. (Aboveinformation provide by Block Association member

Kitty Sorell, Corcoran Group, 539-4968.)Correction:

In the last issue of the GAZETTE, we mistakenly re-ported that 152 W. 13th had been sold in January1998 for almost $3 million. Actually, it was 157 W

13th that had been sold. We apologize for the error.

Officers of the Block Association: Gary Tomei, President; NancyDeckinger, 1st Vice-President; Alan Jacobs, 2nd Vice President; Harriet Brand, Secretary; Bill Borenstein, Treasurer. Steering committeeincludes Officers plus Dorothy Graham (Beautification Committeechair); Larry Fruchter (Community Relations chair); Sal Cont(Crime chair).

Newsletter published by Alan Jacobs, 727-7462, oajacobs@nyc.rr.com. Contributions in this issue from Nancy Deckinger, Bill Borenstein, Gary Tomei, and Kitty Sorell.

Bill Borenstein gets us canned

mailto:ajacobs@nyc.rr.commailto:ajacobs@nyc.rr.commailto:ajacobs@nyc.rr.com