Big Summer Update from The New School

It’s farewell to Souen on 13th St. It’s been around a very long time. Is more of the south side of the block doomed to be demolished?

The Wall Street Journal has a lot to say about what’s happening in our neighborhood. For example: ““I think the area was quite spectacular and bohemian to begin with, but it’s becoming a bit more adult,” said Madeline Hult Elghanayan, a broker at Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “You now see a new, luxury-oriented clientele that’s looking for places to live in this immediate area.“

The latest from the New School:

Next week (January 17-21), Urban Foundations will continue to drill solder piles on 14th Street. The pile driving rig is scheduled to arrive on site, and will begin driving piles on 5th Ave, moving South. Loading out of debris and earth from the site will continue. Hand chopping of the existing foundation wall in the South East corner of 65 Fifth will also be taking place. Installation of the fence along the USC Courtyards will take place, followed by the removal of the existing protection.

The following week (January 23 – 28), Urban is anticipated to continue driving piles along 5th Avenue, then continuing to 13th Street moving East. Excavation of earth and installation of timber lagging between piles on 14th street is planned to begin. Loading out of debris and earth from the site will continue. Demolition of existing foundation wall in SE corner of 65 Fifth by hand chopping will continue.

Souen, the slightly funky smelling organic/vegan/macrobiotic restaurant on the other side of 13th St., has closed for what it says will be a months-long renovation. Will it return? Only time will tell.

The magazine shop and discount store on the north side of 14th west of 5th are both gone. What is next?

Huge news as The New York Times reports on plans to pedestrianize the block of Broadway above Union Square as well as 17th St. in front of Barnes and Noble. Opinions are divided on this one. What do you think?