Let’s Vape

Communication network City24/7 launched its first “SmartScreens” booths today at ten locations around Union Square. The 32-inch touch screens are affixed to phone booths, and provide users with location-based local news, transit updates, current events, and entertainment listings like restaurants and shops for free. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the system is also providing information on volunteer opportunities. Over the next few months, a total of 250 screens will be installed throughout the city. The ATM-strength screens can withstand extreme weather, and they include back-up batteries if power is lost. City24/7 is responsible for the installation and upkeep for the booths, which also have free wifi.

Union Square just got a little more mysterious. Hidden beneath Mission Ceviche’s massive flagship restaurant, Sub-Mission is a new subterranean cocktail lounge that mixes speakeasy allure with Peruvian flair—and it’s shaping up to be downtown’s next late-night magnet.

The 1,000-square-foot hideaway, located at 7 East 17th Street, takes the phrase “below the surface” quite literally. Guests descend from the ceviche bar upstairs into a jewel-toned cocoon of gold, green and soft lighting. The centerpiece is a glowing U-shaped bar crowned by a chandelier and flanked by plush banquettes that seat 65. Fashion portraits, moody lamps and color-shifting backlit panels (yes, guests can choose the hue) complete the glamorous tableau.

This week (May 23 to May 27), Contractors will continue to excavate earth and rock, and load out material. We will complete the underpinning of the adjacent buildings. Installation of rakers, line drilling, lagging and sheeting around the perimeter will progress as well. Concrete foundation walls are scheduled to begin.

The following week (May 30 to June 3), we will continue line drilling, rock excavation, and loading out, as well as lagging and sheeting.

Concrete foundation walls will progress.

Next up in the new retail strip on the west side of University Place between 12th and 13th is Glaze, which will offer vaguely Asian fusion bowls, like this:

This week (June 6-10), contractors will continue to excavate earth and rock, and load out material. We will complete the underpinning of the adjacent buildings. Installation of rakers, line drilling, lagging and sheeting around the perimeter will progress as well. Concrete foundation walls are scheduled to begin.

The following week, we will continue line drilling, rock excavation, and loading out, as well as lagging and sheeting.

Concrete foundation walls will progress.

Next week (October 7 to October 11), material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on the academic floors inside the building. Additionally we will be using a lift on the sidewalk to wash the exterior of the building.

The following week (October 14 to October 18), material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on academic floors.

This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, October 5th for interior activities between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City.