Daniel Maurer

Daniel Maurer Work at Amato Opera House

The Bowery was abuzz this afternoon, as workers installed a new billboard above B Bar. Say hello to Questlove, folks. On the opposite corner of Bowery and East Fourth Street, scaffolding went up at 3 Cooper Square. The application for the construction permit indicates the owner is simply patching and repairing defective concrete spandrels.

A couple of blocks south, at Bowery and East Second Street, workers were spotted hauling pipes and garbage bags into the Amato Opera House building. We asked one of the contractors what was happening and in broken English he said “make new,” and motioned up and down the building. He shrugged when asked for details.

Daniel Maurer 3 Cooper Square.

Last month, The Local broke news that Steve Croman had filed an application to convert the former opera house into a residential building. According to its Website, the Department of Buildings was still examining the plans as of Friday.

Last week, we spotted a new newsstand in front of the former opera house. EV Grieve noticed it too, and today posted a photo of it with the sadface headline “The Bowery just got a little more bland.” Cheer up, guy: maybe the newsstand will stock Ramones sticker books.

Daniel Maurer