When Gas Stations are Deserted

There was a gas station on the corner of East Houston Street and Avenue C that was deserted some time ago:

Deserted gas station.

Well, it's not actually deserted, it's just not a gas station any more.

However, when they moved out their belongings, someone forgot to take these shrubs:

Abandoned shrubs.

One of them, as you can see, did not survive.

The unintended consequences of change… in the East Village Today.

(This is my first-ever post with no exclamation points!)

#eastvillage #houstonstreet #avenuec #gasstations

Structural Failure

A couple of weeks ago, I told you about the uncool gas station on Houston Street and Avenue C. This afternoon, I passed by it again, only to find this:

Point of failure.

My guess is that the air pressure grew inside the enclosed area, to the point where the plywood boards could no longer contain it, and it burst at its weakest point, which was towards Avenue C.

This is what it looks like from the inside, looking eastward:

Looking eastward.

Because the air pressure was now equalized, it was safe for me to go inside — East Village Today goes where others fear to tread!

#eastvillage #avenuec #gasstations #houstonstreet

NIMEVBY

Here's a picture of another closed gas station in the East Village. This one is (was) on Second Avenue at East 1st Street:

Local artists have decorated a closed gas station.

Let's face it: gas stations are not cool. They smell bad, and they cause erratic traffic patterns, as cars speed in and out of them.

They're necessary if you have a car, but they can be located elsewhere — somewhere that's not cool!

#eastvillage #gasstations #secondavenue #1ststreet

Uncool Gas Station

At the corner of Avenue C and East Houston Street there is a plywood barrier that hides what used to be a gas station:

Former gas station.

This is the kind of thing you would expect to see on the outskirts — part of the reason why I don't walk across Houston Street. I did walk up and down Avenue C from time to time though, and across East 2nd Street, when I needed to, so I was no stranger to this station, and I can tell you I don't miss it!

The two fences border two streets: East Houston Street on the left and East 2nd Street on the right. I'm taking the picture through a hole cut into the plywood barrier, at the entrance on Avenue C. Cars entered and left this station from three different streets. What a mess!

As someone who only takes Citibikes or the subway, I never had need for a gas station anyway.

Goodbye uncool gas station!

#eastvillage #houstonstreet #avenuec #2ndstreet #gasstations