When Phillip Morris Was Our Neighbor

Thanks to Chris Heald for digging up two more photos of the “good old days,” when 14th St. was quite rough around the edges.

News from the University Place dining scene: Nino Selimaj has turned one of several Italian restaurants bearing his given name into a nuevo Latino bistro, with Ricardo Cardona as the consulting chef: Osso Buco in Greenwich Village will become Scarpina Bar & Grill (Nov. 4): 88 University Place (12th Street), (212) 645-4525.

After 13 years, Corkbuzz, our downstairs neighbor, is done. Its other location, in Chelsea Market, will remain open.

Soon to arrive on East 13th. St. in the former Blick Art Space is HGL Art. Here’s how they explain themselves:

“HGL ART provides support for parents/guardians by having children explore the World Art School through a fully immersive bilingual art curriculum focusing on the arts, dance, and music. The program is designed to alleviate the stress of finding courses or activities that provide both safety and a strong foundation for education and creativity. We know that every parent and child’s breaks and schedule vary which is why we offer semesterly admission for the courses and accompanied sessions for the weekend activities to accommodate whatever format works best.”

Next week (September 26 to September 30), contractors will continue to excavate earth and rock, loading out material. Line drilling will continue as well in limited areas. Concrete foundation walls at the South East corner of the site and slab on grade work will continue. Interior core foundation work and underground electrical and plumbing will continue. Removal of the interior earth ramp will be completed. DOT approved street connections to underground utilities on Fifth Avenue will progress. The cherry picker crane on site will be removed upon installation of the Superstructure Contractors Crane which will be stationed inside the Fifth Avenue fence.

The following week (October 3 to October 7 ), we will continue with concrete foundation walls and slabs, line drilling, rock excavation, loading out, interior core foundation work, street utility connections and underground electrical and plumbing. Formwork for superstructure concrete construction will proceed.

DEP has completed the water main repair along 13th Street. As part of this work the DEP will be completing related road repairs.

This weekend in addition to the site being open on Saturday, September 24th for foundation related activities between the work hours of 9AM and 5PM as permitted by the City, there will also be a crane installation crew assembling a crawler crane for use by the concrete superstructure contractor.

Crane installation will involve a partial street closure on Fifth Avenue between E. 14th and E. 13th Streets, as well as a full closure of E. 13th Street between University Place and Fifth Ave. As permitted by the City this activity is to occur between the hours of 6 AM & 9 PM with Sunday, 9/25/11 as a backup date. We don’t plan on needing Sunday for the crane installation unless the weather effects us on Saturday or something else that’s unpredictable prevents the completion of assembly on Saturday. It is anticipated that this work should be completed by end of work day but it could extend until the time allowed.