An urban planner who has been looking around for ways to make the city more pedestrian-friendly (and to open up more space for protesting) wrote “Union Square could be greatly enhanced by following through on a 2010 plan to pedestrianize Union Square West. Also pedestrianizing University Place would be a bold step that could link Union Square and Washington Square Park, merging two vital public spaces into a permanent platform for open expression.”
That would certainly change the neighborhood.
Looking west on 13th St. at the corner of 5th Ave., 1915
The flowers are back on sale at the corner deli on 13th. Problem solved.
Information is sketchy, but it appears that Pan Am Equities, the real estate company that owns the collection of “True North” apartment buildings, including one on our 13th St. block, is now in the process of reconfiguring 24-26 East 13th St., the former home of the New York Health and Racquet Club, into 39 apartments, up from the previous 24. The ground floor and basement may once again hold a fitness facility. It’s unclear if the overall size of the building will change, but it appears not.
This week (May 16 to May 20), Contractors will continue to excavate earth and rock, and load out material. We will continue to underpin the 13th Street adjacent building. Drilling of tie-backs, installation of rakers, line drilling, lagging and sheeting around the perimeter will progress as well. Preparation for concrete foundation walls is scheduled to begin.
The following week (May 23 to May 27), we will continue line drilling, rock excavation, and loading out as well as, lagging and sheeting. Concrete foundation walls will progress.
The northeast corner of University and 13th St., looking east, circa 1935. That’s the corner with the Basics hardware store. Fascinating!
