Vacant lot from East Village blast on the market for $9.7M

The owner of one of the buildings destroyed in the East Village gas explosion last March put his vacant lot on the market for $9.7 million.

After the explosion, George Pasternak’s five-story, three-unit rental building at 123 Second Avenue was demolished by the city. The building between East 6th and 7th streets was also home to two stores, including Pomme Frites.

The city charged Pasternak over $350,000 for the demolition.

An illegally-installed gas line at the 8,500-square-foot 121 Second Avenue caused the explosion that left two dead and 25 injured. Building owner Maria Hrynenko and four others have been arrested and charged with manslaughter and negligent homicide for their alleged role in the blast, the New York Post reported. Hrynenko’s two building were also demolished.

The three properties are now vacant land in Tax Class 4 instead of apartments in Tax Class 2, the Post reported. Rates are expected to increase for the owners starting July 1.

The three lots, which includes 119 Second Avenue, could each hold 10,000 buildable square feet for apartments or residential condominiums and retail, according to the Post.

Compass has the listing.

“We…understand that the development community has a certain interest,” Compass brokers Gabriele Sewtz and Sarah Kruse told the Post. “The timing is right [for the owner] to let go and start over and give someone else a chance to develop the property.”

It is not clear if Hyrenko’s insurance company will pay for claims if she is found guilty. [NYP] — Dusica Sue Malesevic