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Stoop Removal Planned at 106 Rivington; Security Cameras Installed

Posted on: December 5th, 2012 by

The stoop (Dutch for “step”) – an urban social gathering spot – is a dying breed on the Lower East Side, and the classic one at 106 Rivington Street will itself become fodder for a landfill.

Despite recent setbacks at the hand of Community Board 3 (i.e. full board overturn), local business owners Jose Orlando Rodriguez and Robert Payne are still moving forward with their plans for a Latin “restaurant.” The plywood scaffolding combo was constructed onsite during Thanksgiving weekend, signaling the commencement of remodeling activities. DOB permits don’t reveal much, but imminent is the installation of French windows and the death and dismemberment of the elegantly antique stoop. All to accommodate a “second entrance” to the top floor of the establishment.

Diem Boyd of the Lower East Side Dwellers NIMBY tells us that applicants said the “stoop removal is a necessary component of the overall plan”, and this particular storefront renovation would “enhance the neighborhood by modernizing the building.”

However, during an October meeting, before the media circus SLA subcommittee hearing, Boyd argued to keep the defining piece of entrance architecture, stating its cultural significance to the character of the neighborhood. The plea fell on deaf ears.

Another new onsite fixture – security cameras. LES Dwellers also alerted us to the recent arrival of surveillance equipment, purportedly in response to a recent “break-in.”

As it stands, 106 Rivington can only serve wine and beer until a midnight closing. They will likely circumvent the red tape of the advisory committee and head straight for the State Liquor Authority. That hasn’t happened just yet.

And for posterity, our urban historian, Allison, dug up this gem of 106 Rivington:

  • LES Dwellers

    It is truly heartbreaking that the 100 year old stoop at 106 Rivington Street, one of the last of its kind, is about to be destroyed (unnecessarily) so that a new “restaurant/bar/lounge” can be more accessible. What
    little character left on the LES is slipping away fast(er) these days. The “stoop” is a quintessential symbol of NYC and the LES. Sitting on stoops and watching the world go by, is a unique part of our culture. Please help save the stoop: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/320/989/578/stop-the-demolishment-of-106-rivingtons-stoop/

    • LOVELYLESGUEBOLAND

      Tell d.boyd why she let the stoop in her building get removed why didn’t she sign a petition then? Oh I know why because she has it in for the applicants and the owner of the building,that’s why,you people get me sick with nonsense,I applaud boweryboogie for even posting this garbage of a story! If you knew any better look at the permits an its clearly being removed so they could put in a lift for the disable YOU BUNCH OF IDIOTS!!!

  • Meagan B.

    How does destroying the neighborhood’s history “enhance the neighborhood”??? The restaurant owners at 106 Rivington keep claiming to be caring members of the LES. And yet they’re willing ruin the facade of a neighborhood by turning it into everything the LES residents despise.

  • Callie T.

    French windows (ie open to flood the street with “drinkin’ tunes”) and a second floor entrance? How big is this” restaurant”? That’s half the building! Hooray, another club! This has got to be the last remaining spot in this neighborhood to wedge a club into. What a disaster. Who the f**k keeps okaying the decimation of this neighborhood? No surprise that the plea to save this tiny bit of character “fell on deaf ears” (though to be fair that stoop needs some serious work). Half of the community board are deaf to anything that cares for the residents. Just google “CB3 is a joke”. While you’re at it google “CB3 bribery”. Nuff said. [on a lighter note, how awesome is that spanish record shop, and where can I buy that dress?]

  • RobertB

    It would be nice if decisions about local development and alterations were left up to local residents rather than business owners, all of whom have a vested interest in establishing businesses that no one in the community has expressed a desire for. Just another example of outside interests running rampant over local needs. Bars and restaurants are the last thing this area needs. We don’t need a “nightlife” industry, we need a “daylife” industry and a few promoters of basic community needs.

  • mblack

    Another one bites the dust… soon the LES community as we know and love will all be a memory. Smoke and dust and Enron style buildings cause that’s the wave of the future. Oh, I know this sounds cliche but I really miss the old days, before the hipsters, before the trust funders and drunk ya-hoos from god knows where…
    Maybe, I should listen to all the snooty drunk kids telling me “if you don’t like it, MOVE!” when I ask the clubs, lounges, bars and their patrons to please keep it down because I need to sleep. I think I will move… it is so sad what has become of our beloved neighborhood.

  • Troutman

    The STOOP MUST STAY. One of the last pieces of old Lower East Side sidewalk architecture should not be swept away by the short sighted dreams of the wisky crowd.

    Far too much of our community’s integrity as been destroyed by complete oversatuation of liquor licenses.

    Enough with the nightclubs already..we have had too much of their destructive impact.

  • Allison

    Sign the petition! Save our stoop!!! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/320/989/578/stop-the-demolishment-of-106-rivingtons-stoop/. Thank u for your support!

  • The Real L.E.S.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a free country. Everyone is free to invest their own money to keep their neighborhood’s character in the manner in which they like. LES Dwellers, Allison, Troutman, mblack, RobertB, Callie T, and Meagan B are all free to buy properties or rent retail spaces in the Lower East Side so that they can have what they want in their neighborhood and keep the building facades in it’s original state. Until then, you should all understand that the owners of the Latin Bistro coming to 106 Rivington Street and one of which was born and raised in this neighborhood, has the right under the law and under the regulation of the DOB to do with the facade what he wishes. So good luck with your petition.

    • Allison

      Wrong. Just plain wrong. This entire neighborhood is comprised of historic buildings and history itself. Go educate yourself please! Why open anything in LES if you don’t respect that this is the gateway to America, the heart of NYC? I seriously want to verbally annihilate you, but out of respect for Boogie and their rules, I will not. There is nothing “real” about you or your comments. P.S. born and raised and still wants to destroy the stoop? Doubt it. No real New Yorker especially from LES would forgo a stoop for a French window,

      • The Real L.E.S.

        Allison, it is unfortunate that you think that any other individual (outside of the government) should have the right to tell you what you can or can’t do with your property. Obviously with your picture of the Jamaican flag with the words “One Love” you probably think we should all hold hands and sing a song and we will all get along. Guess what? You would get along better if you didn’t think you could tell someone else what he/she can or can’t do with their property. As for you being from NYC born and raised like the owners, don’t think so.

  • AaronW

    Removing the stoop will not enhance the neighborhood at all. It will actually lower the monetary value of the building, not to mention making it less aesthetically pleasing. Check out this NY Times article, that likens removing a stoop to “cutting the nose off a face.”

    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/nyregion/town-houses-stoops-have-aesthetic-and-monetary-value.html

  • Adam

    it’s not a Jamaican flag its a rastafari flag and who are h to judge people when ur too scared to give ir own name
    At least she isn’t afraid to be who she is and love this neighborhood. My ancestors were born here and so was I and u truly r ignorant

    • The Real L.E.S.

      Adam, you seem to have anger in your heart. I would tell you only one thing: there were no Adams when I was born here and I was growing up. The only Adams were driving into this neighborhood trying to buy drugs. So welcome to my neighborhood.

      • D. Boyd

        I know I should respect Bowery Boogie rules, and I really shouldn’t stoop to your level , but I have to let you know you are f***ing idiot! What are you talking about – no Adams were born here when I was going growing up… they only came to buy drugs?? “Welcome to my neighborhood”? What do you mean your neighborhood- what is this so called “authentic” Real L.E.S. you are the de facto leader of? How does this “group” you seem to be the mouthpiece for have anymore legitimacy than anyone else who is part of this community- regardless or not if they were born here or how long they have lived here. Please educate yourself – you are neither clever or insightful in your comments. You contribute nothing of value to this discourse or any other message board we have had the pleasure of you weighing in on…Please tell me again how this is “your neighborhood” and no one else has any legitimate claim to it if they voice concerns/opinions that may be in opposition to the “Latin Bistro coming to 106 Rivington Street “? You are so transparent. You are truly daft – and this is me being kind.

        • LOVELYLES

          D.boyd i feel the truth of what the real l.e.s said has somewhat bothered you,And the used of the “F” word shows how much class you grew up with.What’s funny here is you an your writers are claiming this stoop. have you seen this thing thats the best thing there doing is removing this stoop,funny how you an these other writers didn’t say anything when the one in your building got removed well just like yours got removed this is no different,but since its the applicants doing it then its such a “big thing”,OMG!!! THERE REMOVING THE STOOP LETS SIGN A PETITION!!!! I could see how transparent your being.You should get a life!!!

        • The Real L.E.S.

          D. Boyd, I did not post a response over the weekend because I have a life. It’s funny how you state “shouldn’t stoop down to my level” and then you go on a classless rant. You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig.

          In regards to the stoop. I said it already and I’ll say it again: If you want to keep the stoop there, you and your friends should all get together chip in and buy the building from the current landlord. Until then, you should all remember that in these United States, everyone has the right under the law and any regulatory agency, to do what they want with their property. So please, tend to your business and let everyone tend to theirs.

          By the way I speak for no one. I’m an avid reader of the Boogie and I write my posts as I see fit. Unless you think you can control what people say on their posts as well.

      • Kyle McCormick

        Listen alleged Real LES- You sound to me like a bar owner OR someone whose mommy and daddy are paying for them to live in this city OR just a plain rebel rouser. Do we really need a bar here? The Latin Bistro will not make it at 106 Rivington Street …I repeat many bars come and go..and this will be one of them. We will lead a formal petition outside this place and this place wont make a cent. You are heartless and have no sense of appreciation for history. You are truly an ignoramous and would benefit from education. I can recommend some good books on LES and do you know what they say, those anuses like yourself who do know or appreciate history, should get his or her head out of their belly buttons, or they will repeat it

        • The Real L.E.S.

          Kyle, it sounds like you are also angry. I’m neither a trust fund baby or a rebel rouser. I was born and raised here and I’ve been working since I was eleven. Probably before you were born or knew the meaning of hard work. Worked full time, studied full time and earned myself a degree. Done good ever since and understand the meaning of personal property. I’m sure the current owner of that building probably busted his tail to buy it. Now you and a bunch of your friends want to tell him what he can or can’t do with it. This is where we disagree. My statement is as follows: if you want to keep the stoop, approach the owner and tell him you want to buy it. Cut a deal with him/her and you can keep the stool till your hearts content. Until then, this is America and the person who owns this building has the right under the law and regulatory agencies, to do as he pleases with his property.

  • Kyle McCormick

    Listen alleged Real LES- You sound to me like a bar owner OR someone whose mommy and daddy are paying for them to live in this city OR just a plain rebel rouser. Do we really need a bar here? The Latin Bistro will not make it at 106 Rivington Street …I repeat many bars come and go..and this will be one of them. We will lead a formal petition outside this place and this place wont make a cent. You are heartless and have no sense of appreciation for history. You are truly an ignoramous and would benefit from education. I can recommend some good books on LES and do you know what they say, those anuses like yourself who do know or appreciate history, should get his or her head out of their belly buttons, or they will repeat it.

    • jeff

      pigs are beautiful. add lipstick … irresistible.

  • LOVELYLES

    History does repeat’s itself from a latin owned record shop to a latin own restaurant!!! good luck guys you deserve it! Don’t let these people push you out and tell you when an where to invest your hard earned dollars…

  • The Real L.E.S.

    D. Boyd, I did not post a response over the weekend because I have a life. It’s funny how you state “shouldn’t stoop down to my level” and then you go on a classless rant. You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig.

    In regards to the stoop. I said it already and I’ll say it again: If you want to keep the stoop there, you and your friends should all get together chip in and buy the building from the current landlord. Until then, you should all remember that in these United States, everyone has the right under the law and any regulatory agency, to do what they want with their property. So please, tend to your business and let everyone tend to theirs.

    By the way I speak for no one. I’m an avid reader of the Boogie and I write my posts as I see fit. Unless you think you can control what people say on their posts as well.

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