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.”

Next week (April 11 to April 15), Contractors will continue to excavate earth and rock, and load out material. We will continue to underpin both adjacent buildings with DOB approval of our means and methods. Drilling of tie-backs, lagging and sheeting around the perimeter will progress as well. The following week (April 18 to April 23), we will continue rock excavation and loading out, as well as underpinning both adjacent buildings, lagging and sheeting.

The East 12th and 13th Street Block Association is fighting against the arrival of Caliente Cab Co. at University and 12th on the grounds that they expect it to be a noisy all-night boozefest. The owners had petitioned for 4AM closing 7 nights a week, open windows, and sidewalk cafe. They’ve backed off, but that’s still not good enough for those who are against it.

You can speak your mind at the licensing meeting on April 12th at 6PM at 268 Mulberry St.

The complete Community Board meeting is APril 21st at 6PM at 116 West 11th St.

The corner of University and 10th will soon be graced by Amorino, a very upscale French purveyor of fine gelato. Just in time for spring.

Standing on the southeast corner of 13th and 5th, looking west across 5th and down West 13th St. What would a townhouse like that be worth today?

The deli at the corner of University and 13th will become Qdoba, a chain of Mexican fast food. More chain stores in the ‘hood. Signs of the times.

Looking east from across 5th Avenue down 13th St. All those lovely buildings are now the gaping pit of the New School construction site.

Curbed.com is reporting on a terrible HVAC noise problem being caused by the system installed by Vapiano last summer. Watch the video, and you’ll see and hear the problem. Here’s the report:

There’s nothing like a good noise controversy to round out the day, so here’s a tipster’s accusation that University Place chain restaurant Vapiano is destroying neighbors’ eardrums: “For the last seven months, residents of 48 East 13th Street, 107 University Place and 35 East 12th Street have been living with an egregious noise condition created by Vapiano’s HVAC system. Attempts to correct this with the various NYC agencies (DEP, DOB have thus far have not been effective. Vapiano has been issued 3 noise violations thus far by the DEP, has been the subject of TV news coverage (NY1 & Fox5), has been found in violation of the Building Code (twice!) and yet the residents are still subjected to the loud illegal noise levels from early morning to well into the late. This has been going on every day since July 16th of 2010.” Precise! So what do the locals plan to do about it? >> The neighbors have a plan: shame the restaurant via blog, video, and petition. Says our tipster about the video, “there is nothing wrong with your speakers, that’s actually what Vapiano’s HVAC system sounds like. If the noise is too loud and you can’t understand what people are saying just turn up the volume!” Noise wars: on.

Laura Maniec, one of only eighteen female master sommeliers in the world and, at 31, currently the youngest, is about to open her own studio and wine bar. Maniec, who served as wine director at BR Guest for ten years and has just launched the wine program at Niko, has signed a lease on a space at 13 East 13th Street in Union Square and plans to unveil Corkbuzz in May. “It will be an extension of your living room and a place for all things wine,” she tells us. In addition to serving vintages from all over the world, Corkbuzz will offer small plates from oysters and sea urchin to pastas and cheese. The 2,500-square-foot space will also host classes, tastings, and events.