Bruce Monroe

Good morning, East Village.

New York University finally showed us yesterday what Washington Square could look like by 2031 through what it describes as “subtle interventions.”

Having withdrawn plans for a fourth building on the landmarked Silver Towers site, the university now envisages meeting its core expansion requirements. Seven floors of dorms above a public school replacing the current Morton Williams supermarket, together with a major tower on the site of the Coles Sports Center at Mercer and Houston, are part of the new design, as well as lower rise buildings on the north side of the park. As anticipated, the university continues to leave open the possibility of further developments in the neighborhood around the core, which includes – of course – the East Village.

In other neighborhood news, today, of course, is St. Patrick’s Day, and local bars are dressing up for the occasion; according to EV Grieve, some bars on Avenue C are sporting identical signs over the battle for “official party headquarters.” And for those of us who prefer inebriation in the form of sugar, Butter Lane is offering Jameson icing and free icing shots to those clad in green.

In other news, DNAinfo reports that comedy troupe Upright Citizens Brigade has finally agreed to remove its “Hot Chicks Room” sign from its space near East Third Street, following angry complaints from some neighbors who felt it the sign was more fitted for the old Times Square or the Red Light District, than the East Village.

And on a more somber note, East Villagers are offering aid to Japan following the devastating earthquake and ongoing nuclear crisis that began last Friday. A donation box has been placed on the counter of Takahachi restaurant on Avenue A. Have you seen other donation stations around the East Village? Leave a comment and let us know where to find them.

Expect a gorgeous high of 62 degrees today, with another beautiful day to follow.