With the embarrassing photos of the make-shift plywood mezzanines at The Washington Condo posted on this blog and later picked up on by the mainstream media, the DOB kinda had to talk a little tough when Brooklyn Papers phoned them up to ask press them on their stance. The mezzanines do not comply with the department’s requirements, said Jennifer Givner, a Buildings spokeswoman. Thanks for doing a crackerjack job, there, Jen! It turns out that while reducing the ceiling height of the mezzanines from seven to five feet did (unbelievably!) cure the FAR issue, the use of plywood instead of steel and concrete could hold up the issuance of a final C of O. Scarano claims that the plan was to use concrete all along which, to be fair, may be theoretically possible. According to the article, only one of the mezzanine apartments has a buyer. We thought the building was sold out. What gives?
Scarano Told to Get Up to Code [Brooklyn Papers]