Thursday, May 28, 2009

*Everyday Chatter

Not only is poet Frank O'Hara's last home being demolished for what neighbors say will be a new condo, it has also attracted a big rat:


The city officially begins the eminent domain process in Willets Point. [ITT]

As the city prepares to steal private businesses from Willets Point and replace them with luxury hotels and shops, it's training those skilled workers in how to properly serve the future customers of those luxury hotels and shops. How generous! [NYT]

Another upside to the economic crash, the monstrous tower planned for 8th Ave between 45th and 46th has been scrapped! Frankie & Johnnie's lives on. But, as Lost City points out, its neighbors were destroyed for nothing. [NYT]

When we lost Theatre 80 St. Marks, my heart broke. But at least it stayed a theater. Now it's shutting down to become "a commercial enterprise." [EVG]

Affluent teens may be forced to spend their summers babysitting or working at the local Hispanic community center. And the world will be a better place for it. [NYT]

Tipster Reed sent in a link to photographer Richard Friedman's treasure-trove of pics from late-60s, early-70s NYC. Can you spot the women's prison that once stood in the Village?

Our friends the Meatpacking Cats enjoy a breakfast of canned vittles--someone in that basement is taking good care of them:

5 comments:

Mykola Dementiuk said...

Yup, right next the Jefferson Library in the 3rd from last picture....amazing memories!

Jeremiah Moss said...

good eye. it's hard to find photos of that prison. seems like there are few out there.

Mykola Dementiuk said...

I can't recall if I sent you this or not...

This is from Ephemeral NY showing the Woman's Prison

http://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/when-they-took-down-the-sixth-avenue-el/

Grand St. said...

So much to see in that photo: jet-black 'Talamini Real Estate' sign; a little piece of the sign for the 'Ninth Circle' on the lower left; that garage looks very familiar, too.

Interesting, though, that it's labeled "Greenwich Ave.," since it looks like the perspective is NW toward 6th Ave. (not SW). Is it W. 10th.?

Grand St. said...

Don't mean to obsess, but I was in the area today.
The photo in question was taken from the corner of W. 4th and W. 10th, looking east on W. 10th.

The 'Traveller's Garage' is still there, just painted red.
An exciting branch of the New York Sports Club stands on the corner of W. 10th and 7th Ave. where 'Your Father's Mustache' once stood. Not sure what happened to that bad-ass Mustang parked in front...