An Update On the Uncle George’s Space

We’ve been watching both online and in person the Uncle George’s space (33-19 Broadway), which closed over a year ago in Summer 2013. They closed mainly because they owed $55,000 in back rent, but when I inquired among the long-time Astoria Greeks I know, they agreed that the place went way downhill over its final few years, after the original owner sold it to one of his employees. In any case, it’s sat empty for some time. And changes are coming.

Back in June there was some movement on the space, and paperwork was submitted, as per the DOB—this is what they wanted to do:

AN EXISTING 3 STORY- TWO FAMILY DWELLING AND COMMERCIAL FLOOR TO BE CONVER TO 5 DWELLING UNITS AND COMMERCIAL FLOOR. TO ADD AN HORIZONTAL ENLARGEMENT FOR SECOND AND THIRD FLOORS AND ADD A VERTICAL FOURTH FLOOR.

Their plan exam was disapproved on November 7. Subsequent paperwork was filed for the property, and was approved:

PROVIDE UNDERPINNING AND NEW FOOTING AS PER ATTACHED PLANS. OBTAIN OT/GC PERMIT. OBTAIN EQ/FENCE PERMIT. NO CHANGE IN USE, EGRESS OR OCCUPANCY. THIS UNDERPINNING IS NECESSITATED DUE TO ALT 1 APPLICATION 420980763 FILED FOR NO. 33-19 BROADWAY BY GERALD CALIENDO, R.A. (REF. JOB#: 4682).

The email address attached to this is sales@omonioacafe.com, so we now know the Omonia folks are involved—this was the original rumor on the street. We hear also that the tenants that have been there have not had their leases renewed, and that a modern renovation is going to happen.

We’ll continue to keep an eye on things.

One Comment

carol Lee November 12th, 2014

It’s all about the MONEY

Reply