Now Open: Everything’s Jake

In a last-minute appeal, a judge on Friday hit the brakes on the city’s plan to ban private car traffic from a stretch of 14th Street, NY1 reports.

A judge granted the appeal, which was filed in the state appellate court division, and halted the pilot program for the second time in two months. The decision forces the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) to suspend its plans and likely move to appeal the sudden about face.

The ruling comes just three days after a judge lifted a temporary restraining order on the program and as DOT crews prepared to launch the 18-month pilot program between Third and Ninth avenues on Monday. The stalled pilot aims to block private car through traffic from the busy road to speed up bus commutes during work on the L train’s Canarsie Tunnel. Pick-ups, drop-offs, and garage access would still be permitted under the plan.

The busway was set to launch Monday at 6 a.m. It was originally planned for July 1.

Next week (December 5 to December 9), DOT approved street connections to underground utilities on Fifth Avenue will continue. Superstructure work will continue at 1st and 2nd floor levels. Sidewalk sheds will continue being erected around the perimeter of the site. The following week (December 12 to December 16), we will continue superstructure concrete and slabs. Street utility connection work will continue.

This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, December 3rd for superstructure related activities between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City.

Signs announcing “#SaltBae coming soon” have been plastered on a space at 220 Park Avenue South, near Union Square, where a location of Japanese chain Haru Sushi once stood. Salt-sprinkling, internet sensation Nusret Gökçe first brought his famed Turkish steakhouse Nusr-Et to NYC in January, opening a 150-seat restaurant in Midtown.

But if Gökçe is indeed responsible for this signage, it could be slated for something other than a steakhouse. In February, he announced plans for a new burger chain, to be aptly named Salt Bae, telling the New York Post he’s plotting multiple locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The signage on the space says just “saltbae,” accompanied by an illustrated version of the butcher.

Critics fell harshly on Nusr-Et, finding the theatrical dinner served overpriced, mediocre steaks. Eater’s own Robert Sietsema described the beef as “a little rubbery” and “low on flavor,” although Pete Wells from the Times seems to have enjoyed his dining experience, going as far as calling the steak “terrific.”

The chain has over a dozen locations around the world, but only one other U.S. location exists in Miami, according to its website.

Our former super Niall Cooney also happens to be a parter in a Hell’s Kitchen wine bar called Ardesia.

The New School says:

Next week (August 29 to September 2), Contractors will continue to excavate earth and rock, and load out material. Installation of bracing rakers and line drilling will progress as well. Concrete foundation walls will continue along the perimeter of the site. Interior core foundation work and underground electrical and plumbing will proceed. Contractors will be removing the interior earth ramp. A small cherry picker crane will be delivered to the site next week and will be stationed inside the Construction fence. This crane will remain there for approximately two months.

The following week (September 6 to September 9 ), we will continue with concrete foundation walls, line drilling, rock excavation, loading out, interior core foundation work, and underground electrical and plumbing. Concrete pours for the slab on grade are anticipated to start this week. The site will be closed for Labor Day weekend (Saturday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 5).

DEP will continue to repair the water main along 13th Street. As part of this work, the DEP may periodically shut water service off. This work is out of our control.

The New York Post offers this brief history of Union Square. It’s interesting to note that before the subway was built, the park was at street level. When the subway came through, the whole park was torn up and elevated several feet, which why you enter it via stairs today.