Latest New School Construction Update

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.”

The New School says of its upcoming building:

“Although gardens are rare in a place as densely built as Manhattan, the designers of the University Center found room for a front lawn of sorts: On the setback between the seventh and eighth floors will sit the Green Roof, carpeted with a leafy green flower called sedum. And in true New School fashion, the Green Roof’s purpose is interdisciplinary, providing both decoration and a boost to sustainability. The sedum plantings help cool and heat the center by providing an extra layer of sustainable insulation. Further, sedum allows the roof to absorb 40 percent of the rain falling on the building, which reduces impact on the city’s water system. The Green Roof, which is just one part of an overall water conservation strategy for the University Center, will reduce the building’s potable water usage by 74 percent and sewer discharge by 89 percent.”

It’s at this time of the year that street life returns to our sidewalks, and with it comes litter, especially on 13th St., where fans of Joe Coffee linger on our stoop, smoke up a storm, and drop their butts. Such is life in the big city. The big problem with this is that we sometimes get sanitation tickets that aren’t our fault. The Board of Directors has a very cordial relationship with Joe’s owner, Jonathan Rubenstein, who is a good guy and a great example of a successful local entrepreneur fighting off the big chains. He’s busy expanding his empire, but he does care and responds to our complaints. In the meantime, feel free to remind visitors to our stoop not to drop their trash, and if you have the time, call 311 to complain because city inspectors will get Joe’s attention.

Tacos on 12th St., strangely enough in the same location that used to house The Big Enchilada. What’s old is new again.

Sounds like the long-vacant restaurant space on the west side of University between 11th and 12th (next to Grey Dog) will soon become a 66-seat Thai restaurant.

The City Tavern across 13th St. has closed.