Green Roof Reno

« Judgement Day . . . Maybe The Meeting »

March 23, 2008

Tomorrow and the D.O.B.

Sorry to have not followed up on our last post . . .We had some minor scheduling issues with our structural engineer (actually his secretary made a mistake and we were stood up). But we finally have our meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Sound like déjà-vu? Yeah, us too. But we’ve looked for the silver lining in this small setback and expecting tomorrow to be great!

The delay did give us an opportunity to do a little extra research. We realized it might be a good idea to take a trip down to the DOB and try to find the original plans and/or structural modifications to the building. I followed the instructions found in a great comment here:

http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2008/02/help_finding_in.php

We know our building was built in 1920 and was last modified in 1987. We were hoping that the original plans might be on file. We were also hoping to find any drawings relating to the structural modifications in ’87 which we believe included reinforcing the staircase and adding a central beam in the basement.

So the DOB is quite an adventure . . . After getting my block and lot number via PropertyShark.com, I headed downtown last Wednesday. A friend told me if I had my block and lot number I should just go directly to the 1st floor. Well, that turned out to be wrong . . . They sent me to the 2nd floor, who sent me to the 7th floor who sent me to the 8th floor where I finally found the correct window, only to be told that I needed to get a ticket and this form signed at that other window before they could help me. I felt like I was in one of those futuristic movies of bureaucratic hell (a la Brasil) . . . finally, though, when I reached the person who brought up the records, they were very helpful and the process only took about 15 minutes.

Unfortunately for us, we totally struck out. Our building had no microfiche plans and the folders of past DOB filings only included permits and an old basement plan from 1946. We’re hoping the structural engineer can tell us more . . .

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.brownstoner.com/mte/mt-tb.cgi/4304

Comments

Green roof ? What a waste of time and money

Posted by: guest at March 24, 2008 3:21 PM

I think it is fantastic that you are doing a green roof, and am really interested to see how your project turns out. (But there are a lot of really grumpy people who read this site, unfortunately).

Posted by: guest at March 24, 2008 8:18 PM

Going to the DoB is facinating. 99% of the people coming and going know each other at least by sight, having spent most of their daylight hours waiting for some folder/file/plans to be copied approved and stamped. For someone making their first trip down there the frustrating part is that you have to actually know EVERYTHING that you could possible want before you know what you need. When you go to get your building's folder you need a ticket... When you need something from the microfiche room you need another ticket...Need to pay for some copies, another ticket. Each time going back to the security desk. In the mean time you have all these expeditors cutting the line because they know the guy in records and he has everything already waiting for them. My favorite two rules... no cell phones and no using the available seats for a desk top.

Posted by: guest at March 25, 2008 4:41 PM

Posted by: guest at March 25, 2008 4:42 PM

Hi, I appreciated your story concerning the DOB. If you think the DOB is bad try the SCA (School Construction Authority). I've worked with several schools trying to get green roofs for educational purposes and it's very frustrating and at times impossible. If you don't already have a company whose doing the installation consider www.alivestructures.com.

Posted by: guest at April 1, 2008 10:19 PM