Great New Bakery Arrives on E. 16th St.

Dear Board Members, Residents, & Building Staff,

While we are enjoying the nice rain-free weather lately, New York experienced truly little rainfall in October. In fact, it is the second-longest dry spell we have seen in 155 years. This means we are potentially facing water shortages if either the weather does not change and/or we do not cut back on water usage. This past Saturday, Mayor Adams asked city agencies to implement “water savings plans” and suggested that New Yorkers consider cutting back at the tap. While his announcement does not mandate any restrictions on water use, we want to be mindful of the situation. And as we manage hundreds of properties in the five boroughs, we feel it is important to pass along this message. For New Yorkers living in AKAM managed properties interested in doing their part, please consider the following water-saving measures:

In the Bathroom:

• Taking shorter showers will save 5 to 7 gallons a minute.
• When taking a bath, fill the tub only halfway and save 10 to 15 gallons.
• Install water-saving toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators.
• Place a plastic bottle filled with water in your toilet tank if you cannot switch to a low-flow toilet.
• Turn off the faucet while shaving, washing your hands, or brushing your teeth. Faucets use 2 to 3 gallons a minute.
• Do not use the toilet as a wastebasket, and do not flush it unnecessarily.

In the Laundry Room/ Kitchen:

• Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Save even more by using the short cycle.
• Install faucet aerators.
• Turn off the water while washing dishes. Kitchen faucets use 2 to 3 gallons a minute. Filling a basin only takes 10 gallons to wash and rinse.

Outside:

• Use a self-closing nozzle on your hose.
• Sweep your sidewalk or driveway instead of using water.
• Water plants before 9am or after 7pm and do not overwater them.

Other:

• Repair leaky faucets and turn taps off tightly. A slow drip wastes 15 to 20 gallons each day.
• Do not open fire hydrants.
• If you see a leaking or running fire hydrant, please report it to 311 or fill out this online form so we can follow up.

There will be another messy and smelly street fair on University Place on August 8.

The Strand has made it a lot easier to get what you need without having to dig for it in the store. Just order what you want online and pick it up at the store a couple of days later. You’ll save the shipping fee and all the time it takes to poke through the stacks. Of course, if you’re an inveterate browser, as many of us are, feel free to keep exploring. That’s what makes the Strand so much fun.

Women’s Wear Daily recently wrote about trends in real estate, shopping, and dining in the Union Square area.
Read all about it here. 

Chick-fil-A is negotiating a lease for a Union Square location formerly occupied by popular restaurant Bluewater Grill. The fast-food chain, known for its chicken sandwiches and controversial support of antigay groups and issues, is likely to open an outpost at 31 Union Square West. Tthe landlord had been asking for nearly $2 million in annual rent, which is what drove Bluewater Grill to close. It isn’t clear whether Chick-fil-A will take the entirety of the roughly 11,000-square-foot vacancy and what the Atlanta-based chain is agreeing to pay in rent.

Note that the entire western side of 3rd Ave. between 10th and 11th Streets save for the southernmost building has been bought up and is destined to meet the wrecking ball. The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation says there are significant buildings with important stories on the block, but it seems unlikely the city will step in to stop redevelopment.