Small Business News! CB 3 Meeting WED 4/25

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Join us to hear Cooper Square Committee’s information on the Commercial Lease Assistance Program and the City Council’s Planning for Retail Diversity Report

CB 3 Economic Development Committee
6:30 pm WED 4/25
University Settlement
Houston Street Center 473 Bowery

Despite the changes we see every day, our neighborhood is still a very special place!

Please help preserve what we have.

The City Council’s report expresses support for initiatives for which we have long advocated, and references EVCC’s

Preserving Local, Independent Retail: 
Recommendations for Formula Retail Zoning in the East Village

Several urban planning advocates have expressed strong support for implementing some form of formula retail use restrictions in New York City. 

At a joint hearing of the Committees on Small Business and Zoning and Franchises, the East Village Community Coalition presented its report“Preserving Local, Independent Retail: Recommendations for Formula Retail Zoning,” which calls for creation of a special permit for opening formula retail within an East Village Special Purpose District.

The report has the support of the Center for an Urban Future and the Greenwich Village Historical Society.

More Small Business Momentum

Mayor de Blasio announced he is “very interested in fighting for a vacancy fee or a vacancy tax that would penalize landlords who leave their storefronts vacant for long periods of time . . .” on WNYC as reported in The Post.

Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez reintroduced the long pending Small Business Jobs Survival Act (SBJSA).
Council Members Rafael Espinal, Jr., Margaret Chin, Carlina Rivera, and Costa Constantinides are sponsors.
Help ensure these vital initiatives reach fruition as soon as possible and with all their strength intact.

Support the Small Business Jobs Survival Act:
send GVSHP’s letter today!

Thanks for all you do.

Please Comment On LPC Rules Changes, Update On Keep The Cap

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Please comment on LPC Rules Changes!

There is still time to comment on LPC rules changes.
Public notice and the opportunity to comment are essential to good government.
Sign on to GVSHP’s letter today! 
Neighbors, elected officials, Community Boards and preservationists turned out in force to voice concerns about the proposed set of changes to Landmarks Preservation Commission rules.

With no public notice of applications or decisions made, and no opportunity to review or challenge applications, these will be presented as facts to LPC Staff, who are pressed to operate beyond capacity by the sheer volume of applications in today’s fast-paced market. Much to neighbors’ dismay, distressed historic family homes are being bought up and renovated for quick profit.

Rear yard and rooftop additions are of particular concern. Our shared courtyards were designed to bring light and air into our apartments. The trend toward converting this essential space into rooftop decks and rear balconies, to be used by a few, negatively impacts everyone else’s quality of life. Preservation is not just about how buildings look from the street: it’s about how buildings function, and what they were designed to do. Decisions that affect the public should include public input!

Read the Historic District Council’s comprehensive comments and testimony here. 

Read CB 3 Executive Committee’s resolution here.
Hear continued discussion at CB 3 Landmarks Committee meeting
Tuesday April 10 6:30p 

 

New York State Budget Keeps the Height Cap

For the second time in two years, the State legislature sought to lift a half-century old limit on the size of residential buildings.

STATE SENATOR BRAD HOYLMAN  issued a statement on the dangerous proposal to ELIMINATE HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ON RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN NEW YORK CITY:

“I am outraged that Senate Republicans proposed needlessly eliminating height restrictions by repealing the maximum Floor Area Ratio for residential buildings in New York City . . . This repeal would be one of the most dramatic changes in zoning law in the past 50 years, and it is unconscionable to try and push it through with no debate. I opposed this last year and will continue to fight tooth and nail to prevent this irresponsible proposal from becoming a reality.”

The NYS budget that passed last week will keep our height restrictions in place for now, but these ideas have a tendency to resurface when an opportunity appears. We will remain vigilant.

Love Our Local Merchants

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What’s not to love?

EVCC’s 2018 Get Local Guide is full of lovely spots for:

  • beautiful blooms
  • ironic tees
  • sweet treats
  • thoughtful gifts
  • vintage pops of red

Spread the Love

Share your finds on Yelp and Instagram

#VivaEastVillage
@evimanyc

For extra xoxo’s 

Sign GVSHP’s petition in support of the Small Business Jobs Survival Act (SBJSA):
https://secure2.convio.net/gvshp/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=131 
Thanks for all you do!

End-Of-Year Appeal 2017

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Dear Neighbors,

Thank you for your commitment to preserving the East Village.

My new role as Executive Director has taught me that the East Village Community Coalition is all about you: writing letters, making calls, attending events, staying informed, and shopping locally!
We invite you to keep in touch, share your thoughts on what’s important to you and how you’d like to help: Email us to pledge any amount of time in 2018.

Please help further our work in 2018 by making a year-end donation. Your support today helps us increase our impact throughout the coming year.
The East Village Community Coalition is a registered non-profit organization.
Make your fully tax-deductible contribution before the New Year!

Here’s a look at what EVCC accomplished this year:

PRODUCED The 11th Edition of the GET LOCAL GUIDE to East Village Shops and Services. Our independent merchants need your support. Please shop locally in 2018! Spread the word about your favorites on FaceBook, Yelp and Instagram.
COLLABORATED with Community Board 3 and Council Member Rosie Mendez’ office to support the Mayor’s interest in returning CHARAS/ El Bohio / Old P.S. 64 to the community.
WORKED with preservation groups and neighbors to further zoning protections for 3rd & 4th Avenues and a Special District for the East Village, defended height restrictions for 432 E 14th St, and encouraged registry or landmarking of several unique East Village buildings.
COLLABORATED with Community Board 3 and local Block Associations to maintain balance between nightlife establishments and daytime retail that supports the needs of local residents.

What you can do now:

  • DONATE to EVCC today! by check, PayPal, Network for Good
  • FUN TIP: Use EVCC’s Get Local Guide to find perfect last-minute gifts right in the neighborhood! Thanks so much for your support. Look forward to working with you in 2018!

    Best Wishes,



    Laura Sewell 
    Executive Director

Rally TODAY! 5:30pm 3rd Avenue & St Mark’s Place

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Join GVSHP, LESPI, Cooper Square Committee, EVCC, Bowery Alliance of Neighbors and others to save our neighborhood from becoming a glassy Silicon Alley!
A $150 million deal has been signed for a “boutique office building” to rise at 3rd Avenue and St. Mark’s Place.Multiple office buildings, hotels and high-rise condos are planned for this area, pushing out longtime residents and businesses.

The East Village Community Coalition strongly supports the rezoning
of 3rd and 4th Avenues. We call for timely community planning that is accountable to the people who live here, before it is too late.

Celebration Rally for CHARAS / El Bohio / Former P.S. 64

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Rally 12pm Monday NOV 6 
CITY HALL STEPS

Join Us As We Mark the Anniversary of the late Community Leader and
CHARAS Co-Founder Armando Perez’s Birthday and
Celebrate the Mayor’s Announcement of His Intent to
Reacquire CHARAS / EL BOHIO / FORMER P.S. 64!
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RALLY & PRESS CONFERENCE

With speakers Councilmember Rosie Mendez, Carlos ‘Chino’ Garcia,

CHARAS, Inc., Andrew Berman, GVSHP, Laura Sewell, EVCC and others!

Wake up Loisaida, defend what’s yours!
– Armando Perez

Old P.S. 64 CHARAS / El Bohio News

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Mayor Bill de Blasio, Town Hall, October 12, 2017:

I understand now that there’s been, for over a decade-and-a-half, a controversy and a problem over the CHARAS building, and that the decision made a long time ago by the Giuliani administration was a mistake.
For the Giuliani administration to put that building into private hands failed miserably, and we’ve seen the negative effect that that has had on the community.
So I’m announcing tonight, the City’s interest in reacquiring that building.
We are ready to right the wrongs of the past, and we will work with Council Member Mendez and her successor to get that done.

A thrill went through the Town Hall crowd that heard these words, and nothing can diminish the value of the Mayor’s public recognition of the truth.

The East Village Community Coalition looks forward to working with the Mayor’s office, Council Member Mendez and her successor, Community Board 3, CHARAS, GVSHP, our coalition partners and our neighbors to see this cherished landmark returned to true community use.

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Save The 3rd And 4th Avenue Corridors 6:30PM WED 9/13

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Critical CB 3 Meeting: Rezoning the 3rd & 4th Avenue Corridors  

Save Third & Fourth Avenues in the East Village!
Join GVSHP and neighbors at the
Community Board 3 Land Use Committee Meeting
Wednesday, September 13 6:30pm

Rutgers Community Center 200 Madison Street (btwn Rutgers & Pike Streets)
F Train to East Broadway; M 15 Bus (1/2 Ave) to Pike & Madison

Meeting begins at 6:30 pm; this is item #4

GVSHP will be presenting its proposal for rezoning the 3rd and 4thAvenue corridors to prevent oversized commercial development in this area, such as the 300 room, 13-story hotel under construction at 112-120 East 11th Street, at this upcoming Community Board 3 Land Use Committee meeting. GVSHP is proposing and seeking zoning protections for the area between 5th and 3rd Avenues, Union Square and Astor Place,which is unique within the Village and East Village for its lack of adequate zoning and landmark protections. Community Board 3 ONLYcovers the area east of 4th Avenue, so Wednesday’s meeting is solely focused on 3rd and 4th Avenues.
(Community Board 2 covers west of 4th Avenue, and is already STRONGLY on record in support of our proposed zoning protections for Broadway and University Place.)

If you oppose overdevelopment in this area, it is vital that you attend. This is not a public hearing, but residents of Community Board 3 may speak in support of zoning protections for Third and Fourth Avenues. Thank you, and see you there!

3rd4th_Aves_wMoxy

Old P.S. 64/CHARAS – Time for a Change – Sign THIS Petition

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For two decades, Old P.S. 64 has lain fallow and allowed to deteriorate, when it could have been serving our community.

We all agree it’s time for  change! So let’s get serious and ask the Mayor again to restore our treasure and return it to community use. Start by signing THIS petition.

Read carefully when asked to sign a petition, because there are two! THIS is the one you want to sign to support the return of Old P.S. 64 as a true community facility!

PS64_Heart
Mayor De Blasio, give us back our community center!

Stay tuned for news about opportunities to help showcase the rich history of old P.S. 64 and celebrate what it could be today!