A lot has been written about the 200 people, mostly artists, evicted from their live-work studios at 475 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg last January after the fire department found a potentially explosive matzo ball factory in the basement. But little has been said about the Hasidic girls school in the neighboring building, which judging by the litany of violations listed on the Department of Buildings’ website was equally as dangerous. Together the two buildings have 141 violations with 101 still open, many from decades ago. The Department of Buildings’ violations have almost no information available online, but the Environmental Control Board issued violations at the school for: an improperly maintained boiler system that lacked an emergency fuel cut-off switch; holes in the boiler room ceiling; a disconnected sprinkler system and no carbon monoxide or fire detectors; no emergency lights in the staircase; and a crumbling facade with no sidewalk shed for protection, among other things. Some work must be getting done though: during a recent visit to the school we found trash bags filled with toys deposited by the curb.

As far as the lofts and businesses at 475 Kent, “[The owners] haven’t accomplished even half of what they need to do,” said a building code and zoning consultant who has studied the case for months. While both the loft building (#475) and the school (#485) were operating illegally, a change in use has been requested for only the school, according to DOB filings. The zoning consultant gives “5:1 odds no resident is back in that building before June 1st.” A former resident, who as a fire gaurd has made regular visits to the building, said he thinks they could be in within a couple of weeks. Do you think the time-table will be affected by yesterday’s resignation of DOB Commish Patricia Lancaster?
Artists Could Maybe (not) Return to Matzo Factory by May [Brownstoner]
Glimmers of Hope for 475 Kent Residents [Brownstoner]
475 Kent Avenue: How It All Began [Brownstoner]
Big Showing From Pols at 475 Kent Vigil [Brownstoner]
Closing Bell: Moving Out at 475 Kent Avenue [Brownstoner]
‘Commune of Creative Types’ in the Burg is Emptied Out [Brownstoner]