W. 13th St.

Gazette
Voice 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
The new lights have arrived!!! Lets celebrate at the

Annual Meeting:
Tuesday, April 3, 2001, 7:30 P.M.
At the City and Country School, 146 W 13th Street

Election of Officers

Let There Be Light!

Hallelujah! The Block Association is proud to announce that, pursuant to a grant it obtained from the City, decorative Victorian-style streetlamps now grace our block. While this endeavor has been some three years in the making, the end result was well worth the wait. Our success in obtaining these charming lamps without charge to block residents involved a genuinely grassroots effort. This victory should serve as inspiration since it demonstrates that City officials are available to assist ordinary residents seeking to improve the quality of life on their block. First and foremost, Association Treasurer Bill Borenstein conceived the idea, researched how the Association could get 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 during which Bill and our President, Gary Tomei, were in continuous contact with officials at the Department of Transportation urging them to implement the installation of the lamps. The removal of the old lamps started on February 24; the first of the new lamps were installed on February 26; by March 1, the job was completed.

We thank all the public officials who went out of their way to aid us in this endeavor. The Department of Transportation, which is responsible for installing lamps, had missed some target dates. However, Iris Weinshall Iris Weinshall recently became Commissioner of the DOT. When Gary alerted her to our predicament, she cut through the red tape and delivered the goods. Commissioner Weinshall handled our entreaties with courtesy and responded expeditiously. We offer our deepest appreciation. Special thanks also go to: State Senator Tom Duane who, when he was Councilmember, obtained the original appropriation in the City budget; Scott Melvin of Duanes staff; Councilmember Christine Quinn who finished the project; and Borough President Virginia Fields; the Greenwich Village Alliance; Elizabeth Shuldiner and Ann Amato (presidents of neighboring block associations); and Arthur Strickler, District Manager of Community Board 2.

Showcase Y to Occupy Armory Site

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

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floor and lower levels. This 67,000 sq. ft. facility will be the first Y to be built in Manhattan in 70 years. The Y will be a full community service YMCA for all ages. It will offer a panoply of services including: 1. An extensive gym which will feature: a sevenlane swimming pool; strength training equipment; aerobics exercise equipment such as recumbent bicycles and elliptical cross trainers; aerobics classes and stretch rooms; saunas and steam rooms; a state-of-the-art health and wellness 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 it becomes available, residents can call Janet DeMarco, the Ys Membership Director, at 741-9218. In addition to the Y, the building (containing a twostory base topped with one 12-story and one 6-story tower) will have some 275 apartments of which 62 will be NYU faculty residences, and some 40 will be reserved for low-income tenants. Last year, the chain bulk retailer Costco had attempted to occupy the space that the Y has acquired. However, a large coalition of community groups, politicians, retailers, and a union, represented by Arthur Schwartz, filed suit to halt Costco. Costco then abandoned this effort to occupy the Armory site. The Block Association had approved of the lawsuit and would have joined as a plaintiff had Costco not abandoned its plan. We Arthur Schwartz congratulate all members of the coalition for their success in convincing Costco to relinquish its claim on the site. Given that Costco would only have sold bulk items and would not have provided any garage space, it would have been an inappropriate use of the space. Attorney Schwartz deserves special mention because he represented the coalition without charge. Mr. Schwartz has extensive experience representing community groups and labor unions. He is also a long-time resident of the West Village and has been one of the two Greenwich Village Democratic District Leaders since 1995.

Tree Report
Vandals! The Block Association, as part of its continuing program to beautify and improve this area, arranged with individual homeowners (at some expense) to have flowers planted in the pits on our block. Shortly after the May 2000 planting, some despicable person pulled these plants out of their pits! Although the New York City Department of Forestry maintains our trees, individual property owners own the tree pits. No one may remove plants or a tree from the tree pit without the permission of the landowner. Anyone who does so has violated the law, is guilty of vandalism, and is subject to criminal penalties, including heavy fines. What We Do for Our Trees Our 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 are regulated by the City of New York. No one may trim or alter these trees without the express consent of the City. The Block Association had all of the tree pits professionally fertilized this past autumn to help further their health and growth. In addition, the Block Association had all of the

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

trees trimmed of dead branches and overhanging limbs. One tree needed to be cabled and a few were inspected for caterpillars.

Harm to Three Trees A truck broke off a large branch of a tree at 111 W. 13th. Another truck did such extensive damage to the tree in front of the City and Country School (146 W.
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13th) that the tree had to be removed and replaced (see photo above). The Block Association also has had a dead tree replaced at 130 W. 13th.

Sewer Backup
The sewer drain at the northwest corner of 13th and Sixth Ave. was not clearing water from that corner and a very large puddle, i.e., a small lake, was forming making it very difficult to cross in any direction. The Department of Sanitation responded quickly to our call and cleared the problem, permanently we hope.

Major Alterations at 156 W. 13th St.

Major alterations are under way at 156 W. 13th Street. The Block Association opposed the original design at the Landmarks Commission because it was not in keeping with the historic character of the building and our block. After several hearings and meetings in spring 2000, changes were made to the original plan, which would have included a structure on the roof of that building visible from the street. Although the revised plans call for the rear portion of the 1846 building to be altered in a way that will somewhat increase its depth, the Block Association is satisfied that the basic integrity of the building and its design have been preserved and thus we have not opposed the most recent plans. Our Executive Board members have closely monitored this situation, attending all of the Landmarks Commission hearings. We feel confident that an appropriate compromise has been reached. Our new neighbors have demonstrated that they are truly interested in preserving the best of our neighborhood and we welcome them enthusiastically. The building will be the residence of Candida Smith and her family. Candida is one of the daughters of renowned sculptor David Smith (subject of a recent rooftop exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art). The main reason for adding space to the building is to house the family of Ms. Smith and her husband. The new owners also expect to exhibit several sculptures by Ms. Smiths father.

Katharine House
Katharine House at 118 W. 13th Street has closed. Final transfer of ownership is scheduled for May 2001. Our sources tell us that the new owners plan a residential condominium. This being in a landmarked area, the faade of the building should remain exactly as it is. Be assured that our Association will scrutinize any plans for renovation. The Ladies Christian Union began in 1858 to shelter young working women. The Katharine House at 118 W. 13th started to serve the organization in 1910 as a single old brownstone. Mr. Joseph Milbank gifted the brownstone to the organizaA lady enters Katharine House tion. Shortly thereafter, the two adjacent properties were acquired to accommodate more young ladies. Later, all three buildings were razed to make way for the present Georgian-type residence, which welcomed its first guests in 1931. Of historical significance: To address the issue of employment for their young ladies, the Ladies Christian Union opened an auxiliary in 1870 called the Young Ladies Branch. By 1872, this auxiliary had completely absorbed the employment work of LCU and became the prosperous and independent institution called the Young Womens Christian Association in 1875. By 1958, the YWCA had over 1900 branches in the United States alone. We bid a fond farewell to our Katharine House, which served as our Block Associations meeting room for years.

Subway Exit
Our subway exit (near 175 W. 13th) to the Seventh Ave. line has been in disrepair. Our contact at the MTA has reported to us that this station is due for a renovation in about one year, so they do not wish to do major repairs on it at this time. At our urging, however, they did agree to spruce up the exit for us. In addition, they have done some spackling of tiles, fixed and painted the handrail, removed the graffiti, painted the ironwork, and repaired the stairs.

Disturbances
The building at 144 W. 14th is in the process of a major renovation. Pratt Institute will be the major occupant. The building has activated an exhaust vent that blows air and creates loud disturbing noise into Page 3

Reminder:
Mail in your your Dues. Support your Block Association!

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

Graffiti
Periodically the Block Association has the graffiti removed from mailboxes, lampposts, signs and the wall 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

Attractive new garbage can enclosures are now in place at the four corners of our block. In addition, there are two more across Sixth Ave. courtesy of the Greenwich Village Alliance. The GVA is comprised of a number of local block Bill Borenstein gets us canned associations (of which we are one) and was formed to wield more clout on neighborhood issues. The GVA is trying to raise funds for more of these enclosures on Sixth Ave. The Sanitation Department has been extremely cooperative in these endeavors.

124 W. 13th has been sold and the new owner tells us that there will be no restaurant at the ground level where 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 for many years, is now the site of Gradisca restaurant. 154 W. 13th will house a new restaurant now that Cuisine de Saigon has departed. The new French/Italian restaurant called Domicile will open as soon as renovations are completed. It will be run by one of our local residents. We also note transitions of favorite shops on 6th Ave. between 13th and 14th Streets. The biggest loss is Second Hand Rose, a renowned second-hand record store that is now the location of a seller of electronic gadgets. Mr. Dees shoe store formerly on that same block became a store that sells fragrances. A 99-cent shop is a relatively recent arrival on that same block. Soon 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 the Art Greenwich theater at Greenwich Av. and 12th St.

Real Estate Update

The year 2000 was a banner year for the real estate market in Manhattan. Statistics for years end show that residential real estate sales reached new highs. On our block, townhouses sold for $2.45 million; $2.75 million, and $1.3 million. In January of this year, Katharine House at 116-20 W. 13th was sold by Sothebys for almost $15 million. (see story above). Coop sales for our block were strong, with twobedroom units selling in the $400Ks and onebedroom units selling from the $200Ks to $400Ks. Currently two-bedroom, two-bath coops on our block range in price from $599K to $860K. (Above information provide by Block Association member Kitty Sorell, Corcoran Group, 539-4968.) Correction: In the last issue of the GAZETTE, we mistakenly reported that 152 W. 13th had been sold in January 1998 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; Nancy Deckinger, 1st Vice-President; Alan Jacobs, 2nd Vice President; Harriet Brand, Secretary; Bill Borenstein, Treasurer. Steering committee includes Officers plus Dorothy Graham (Beautification Committee chair); Larry Fruchter (Community Relations chair); Sal Conti (Crime chair). Newsletter published by Alan Jacobs, 727-7462, or ajacobs@nyc.rr.com. Contributions in this issue from Nancy Deckinger, Bill Borenstein, Gary Tomei, and Kitty Sorell.

Personal Notes
The Block Association, along with residents of the block, wishes Marshall Allen a very speedy recovery. In addition, we offer our sincere condolences to Bruce Tuchman 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 will open in the space. It will be owned by John Amato, who until recently ran Synchronicity Space theater and arts center on Mercer Street.

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