Construction update -- 2-29-12

The renovations are moving full speed ahead. The three new stalls have been framed out and wired and lots of folks have come up to me asking about availability and pricing, so I expect we will have some competition brewing! I will be leasing for food vendors only, excluding produce and grocery.

But I have been researching movable peddler carts and I think we can fit at least 4 into the new floor plan -- those will be available for non-food items, at a very reasonable rate.

3rd Stall, framed out -- there are 2 others to the right

Looking into the stall, towards the common eating area --

a counter will be installed with an internal security gate

A view inside one of the center stalls being reconfigured 

 

 Another view of the work in progress

Meanwhile, more mundane problems to deal with -- a broken flushometer in the bathroom and a clogged floor drain -- there's always something to repair at Moore Street Market!

Joan Bartolomeo

Moore Street Market

New banner with Moore Street logo

A 5 foot by 8 foot banner was delivered today, with the Moore Street logo. It will be hung on the Moore Street side of the market, where that bland beige panel currently makes a great palette for graffiti. Still working on a much larger sign previewing the Humboldt Plaza.

This logo was designed pro bono by Anne McBride, a talented graphic designer, incorporating the traditional colors of the market in a more modern design. Anne has since moved to Cold Spring, NY -- we miss her!



Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

No JOLI grant funds for Federal Fiscal Year 2013

Disappointing news today that the Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI) grant had not been funded in the federal budget this year. I was hoping that we could use the funds to start a culinary training program at the market and maybe enhance the commercial kitchen.

The only bright side is that I procrastinated so long in writing the grant application (originally due at the end of March) that not much energy has been wasted on this project!

Maybe some foundations will come on board -- lots of grant-writing to do.

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

104 Moore Street -- Vacant Lot to Urban Farm?

So we've had ongoing dissuasion with HPD about using the vacant lot at 104 Moore Street as an "urban farm" site. Although the lot is separated for the market by a pretty bad building, it actually backs up to the market on Varet Street, since the market is L-shaped. By opening a door in the building, we can directly access the farm.

HPD is working with us on this and hope we can have an agreement in place in the next few months -- a few community garden groups have expressed interest in working on this project.

Maybe we can grow and sell in the market? How about a collaboration between youth and seniors? So much potential.

104 Moore Street, looking towards the back wall of the market. 102 Moore is on the right, also a vacant building, privately owned. The building to the right of the market on this photo, on Varet Street, is on the market for $500,000. Would be great to annex it to the market!

The lot looking towards 106 Moore Street, a sort of occupied building with a liquor store. The fence has served as a makeshift "memorial" for a few of the store's denizens, who have succumbed due to their habits.

The market on the left, with 106 Moore Street to the right.


Imagine this all greened up and full of plants and gardeners!

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Renovation Updates -- week of February 20th

As promised, some updated photos from last week.

The first new stall is framed out, just past the Varet Street entrance!

Good-bye forever, grungy bathroom! On the schedule - new tile floors and walls. Maybe coin-operated locks? Bathroom one started this week -- when this one is done they start the second.

The cinderblock foundation is in for the other two new stalls, also on the Varet Street side.

More next week ---

Joan Bartolomeo, Moore Street Market

I was hoping to have some updated photos of the market renovations for you, but it's all taking place behind the construction walls! Bathroom number one should be in renovation mode starting today.

We had a great project meeting with NYC EDC, Turner Construction and the architect yesterday and everything is moving along as planned, for an early April completion date.

So of course, I got to take a "behind the scenes" tour and it is amazing how much space we gained by taking down stalls number 23 and 24 (right by the Humboldt Street entry)! I am very excited about the changes that will emerge over the next few weeks.

The construction has sparked a lot of interest from potential vendors. I am hoping that a new Mexican Restaurant is in the works, if the entrepreneur can pull everything together to make it happen.

I think that Councilwoman Diana Reyna will be very pleased by the work her funduing supported!

More to follow...

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

The Humboldt Plaza Project is also moving along, with all the requisite NYC approvals completed. NYC DOT and Department of Design and Construction have begun bidding the work.

I'm posting two graphics showing how the completed plaza will look. And yes, I know there's a typo in the title -- it's been corrected, but I don't have the electronic file yet!

While we're loking at what's to come, I thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures from the past as well. Turned up some great photos of Graham Avenue at the turn of the century.

The old Folly Theater, formerly at Graham Ave. and Debevoise Street, around 1910

Pushcarts on Moore Street, before the market

Mayor LaGuardia, opening the Moore Street Market in 1941

This is not Moore Street <arket, but a market of the same era. Moore Street would have looked like this before its many renovations

I know it's a little late, but I did want to put up some photos of the Christmas Holidays here at Moore Street. Thanks to a contribution from Con Ed, the market and the Graham Avenue BID went all out on decorating this year. The Graham Avenue Holiday Trolley stopped at the Market and over 200 kids visited Santa.

We gave away over 700 cups of hot cocoa and several pounds of cookies to thank our customers.

Thanks to the support of HealthFirst, we had over 200 people dancing to the music of the Three Kings Parade Parranda band on Sunday, December 18th.

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Today, we welcomed back the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene to renew their winter "Healthy Eating" classes and demonstrations -- happy to have them!

They were having a  tough time today, "selling" the market customers on the virtues of "greens", but their cheerful and persistent nudging may have won over a few converts.

I have a photo of their poster here.

They'll be here every Friday for the next few weeks -- stop in and watch a demonstration and say hello.

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

I've posted photos of the work completed the week of February 13th:

• Temporary construction walls were built
• Plumbing and electrical were scoped out
• Demolition begins behind the temporary walls

Good riddance forever, useless center stalls! Be prepared for food-certified spaces with sinks, hot water, new lighting, roll-down gates, and solid surface counters!

Work is going smoothly so far. Looks like NYC EDC hired several Minority/Women contractors -- way to go! Many of the workers said they had come to the market as children, with their grandmothers, so it was like "old home" week.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Joan Bartolomeo
Moore Street Market

Construction Photos -- Week of February 13, 2012

After 5 years, the renovation of Moore Street Market started on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, with temporary walls going up around the spaces to be renovated. It was an exiting moment -- not in the least bit anticlimactic, as I'd expected! I'll be taking pictures to show the progress of the work, which is supposed to be completed by the end of March or early April.

We will be updating some awkward and unusable stalls, and constructing 3 new stalls, all ready for rental to the right tenant by May of 2012

Soon to some, exterior renovations and a 24/7, 250 square foot commercial kitchen for food entrepreneurs, rentable on a per diem or hourly basis. Check for updates.

And how about an urban farm and some basement-grown tilapia? Lots on tap for the Market and environs.

Then we move onto the work on the Humboldt Public Plaza, which got all the NYC approvals after 3 years! The design looks great; I will be hanging a 5' x 30' banner on the building within the next few weeks to give the public an advance view of what the finished product will look like -- stay tuned.

The construction work is supposed to start in late summer, with occupancy for Spring 2013. There will be 6 seasonal vendor tents available for rental plus a great piece of public art designed by Bushwick artist Austin Thomas.

Just installed some new exterior security cameras, too -- thanks to the Graham Avenue BID's donation. Big Brother is now watching you!

I'm at the Market Wednesdays and Fridays -- come and take a tour with me!

Joan Bartolomeo
Market Manager