[10th Street side]
The Department of Buildings recently put into place an amended rule governing exterior wall inspections and repairs for owners of buildings higher than six floors who fail to upkeep their properties.
This change came about after architect Erica Tishman was killed by falling debris from a Midtown office building in December.
However, as the Daily News reported, this new rule doesn't apply to the long-vacant P.S. 64 on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C.
Per the News:
Because the school is lower than six stories and now has the proper protections up, including several sidewalk sheds, it won’t be newly scrutinized, building officials said.
"Stabilization work in the building has been performed, and the Department of Buildings continues to closely monitor the situation to protect pedestrians," said Jane Meyer, a spokeswoman for Mayor de Blasio.
But the vacate order from last February is still active, DOB records show — which leave people who live nearby skeptical of the city’s claims.
"There's a lack of oversight that is going on," said Carolyn Ratcliffe, 77, who is president of the 9 BC Tompkins Square Block Association. "We really feel like we're being blown off."
Read the full article here.
[9th Street side]
Developer Gregg Singer bought the property — the former P.S 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center — from the city during an auction in 1998. The landmarked building has been empty for years. You can read the archives for more on the long history here.
Are there not any laws on the books that can force landlords to deal with decrepit buildings? It seems insane that have a sidewalk shed up permanently is an acceptable solution. The corners of Houston and B / 3rd and C are prime examples. Can't the city condemn them / force the owners to do something?
ReplyDeleteTear it down already, crimony. Get rid of the sidewalk sheds and make a park.
ReplyDeleteCity could go i and make repairs and bill owner, why they have not done that here is amazing.
ReplyDeleteAnyway Singer hasn't paid back the $45 million he borrowed from the similarly suspicious Madison Realty Capital who took over Toledano buildings like mine, so good old Gregg will be gone from the scene soon anyway. Then we will see what happens. meantime go and repair it and fine SInger!
Yeah, De Blasio's on it.
ReplyDeleteIt would be kismet if this was torn down and playgrounds moved from Thompkins into this lot and restore the grass areas in Thompkins. I can dream....
ReplyDeleteSinger has owned the place for, what, 20 years now? And still the same nonsense year after year.
ReplyDeleteNYC should take the building back by eminent domain and use it for something the community needs ... never mind, that needs to wait until De Blah-sio (and his developer 'friends') are gone.
Meantime, tell Singer to go whistle; he can battle this in the court system until the cows come home and it won't get him anywhere.
de Blasio's brother-in-arms James Capilano lobbied for Singer/PS 64 for years, and maybe he still does. Capalino was also a lobbyist for Rivington House. Where Capilano roams, special treatment follows.
ReplyDeleteAt least the birds get to enjoy Charas...
ReplyDeleteGreat point Eden. It's a bird sanctuary if anything.
ReplyDelete