Development Botch: 528 Bergen Street

How can people get away with this? It's heart breaking? If evidence exists that someone "ILLEGALLY" tore down a structure, why would they not be required to replace said structure, or at least GO TO JAIL?

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 10:33 AM

as much as I don't agree with illegally tearing down a building how long are people supposed to let a decrepit building stand? people are here to make money if Brownstoner and the rest of you who are so quick to condemn people for putting up new structures that don't have the "character" you like why don't you start developing stuff? I'm no developer but I do understand that the point is to make money and not everyone sees the point in restoring a building when its much more profitable to build something else. it is what it is too bad. you people are ridiculous with this stuff. poor million dollar brownstone owners who must tolerate the eyesore of not so fancy developments for people who can't afford a brownstone in clinton hill and fort greene and park slope. if you're so concerned brownstoner and co why don't you rent out your apartment to a low income resident? of course not, you'll probably be charging 1600 for someone to live in the apartment in your brownstone just like everyone else (including this developer) trying to squeeze as much money as they can out of every situation.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 10:47 AM

"It's just so comforting to see that he's replacing the historic structure with such a beautiful building that will bring joy to area residents for years to come."

Hmm. This building is being built for the people who will be living in it. Not, for nosy people passing by. Brownstoner, you’re one blow-hard, self righteous, ignoramus xenophile out their. Conformity to your narrow views is what matters most according to you. Your blog blows.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 11:29 AM

No one has the right to flat out break the law. Sorry if the process of getting the proper permits "takes too long". Tough. Knocking down a building without the proper safey in place is wrong not matter what. A stop work order is just that. Stop work. Wow when did everyone get the right to ignore the law 'cause they want to make a buck. Guess i will just go out and steal what i want cause i can't wait to get paid. sheesh!

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 11:51 AM

No one has the right to flat out break the law. Sorry if the process of getting the proper permits "takes too long". Tough. Knocking down a building without the proper safety procedures and document in place is wrong not matter what. A stop work order is just that. Stop work. Wow when did everyone get the right to ignore the law 'cause they want to make a buck. Guess i will just go out and steal what i want cause i can't wait to get paid. sheesh!

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 11:54 AM

anon 10:47 here - as far as I'm concerned in the true sense there's no such thing as being screwed over in NYC you know the deal when you move here. you get little product for a large price. for the most part people are trying to make the best of what they can paying 2 grand to live in 1 bedroom apartments, paying 40 dollars each time you forget to move your car to the other side of the street for alternate side parking and getting fined for putting a mayo jar in the trash instead of recycling this city is setup to squeeze money out of us all its capitalism for sure if you don't like it move somewhere else where all of the buildings are restored to their former glory. in the meantime get real no one has time for that nonsense that brownstoner preaches about restoring these properties people have money to make they have kids to send to uppity private schools or properties to buy on the right street so their kids can go to PS 321. this is new york city love it or leave it, its the way it is. how is it that you people have the nerve to throw stones at this situation when you're not doing anything better? Brownstoner has a blog pointing out how crappy developments are and eats off that he's just like the rest of us sitting behind our computers commenting on the situation and not doing anything about it. you don't like it? turn your fabulous park slope brownstone in district 321 into a 3 family and put section 8 tenants in there and maybe they will stop builiding ugly fedders buildings mostly occupied by low-income tenants. you people go on and on kicking and screaming about rent stabilization in properties that you would otherwise consider a good but you're not willing to do anything for the people out there who need these kinds of developments. the bottom line is when a developer spends more money to restore a building that gets passed down to the people who will eventually live there.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 12:00 PM

lp you make a compelling point but if that happened where would all the people go who were unwilling to pay a little more for a quality building simply because they don't have it? some people really don't have the luxury to choose.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 12:24 PM

Construction on this building has barely begun and you guys are already condemning it. Further proof that this site exists primarly for you people to bitch and moan about any and every building erected after 1935. Yea, I'm crushed that the old carriage house was torn down. I mean, doesn't everyone want a decrepit, graffiti-covered, urine-reeking building on their block?

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 12:45 PM

These developers aren't building affordable housing, in these new construction condos! What kind of crack are you people on?? HELLO. Every time you all want to win an argument, any argument, whether it applies or not, you whip out the ole "affordable housing" defense because it makes others sound like ogres for criticizing these buildings.

The guy who said breaking the law is breaking the law, was right. That post should have been the very last comment on this thread. 'Nuff said. If the permits take too long then developers should be working with the DOB to make the process faster. Not breaking the law. And if developers don't like it there are plenty other professions they can enter. They need to be grown, adult, responsible members of society and just deal with the situation properly.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 1:02 PM

Maybe it's time to start picketing these illegally or unethically developed buildings, at the time they are marketing and trying to sell the units inside. Doing that even just once or twice could move the balance of power more to the center, away from being SO totally developer-focused.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 1:16 PM

the argument isn't being made about "affordable housing" specifically. I don't think this is affordable housing but these types of developments are usually cheaper than a building with more "character" and I'm certain that they will be much cheaper than if the original building had been restored. although the developer is looking at the bottom line and I'm sure isn't concerned too much about the poor the fact remains that these types of developments are usually rented for a far cheaper price than a brownstone apartment or building maintained in its original form especially if it needs to be restored.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 4:38 PM

They might be rented or sold for lower prices than brownstones or new luxury developments, but they're still not affordable for low income people. Not as rentals, not as homes to buy.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 5:34 PM

Well iceberg, unfortunately we have to have "positive" law because people like these developers don't have the scruples or ethics to do the right thing simply as responsible members of society. Things changed because people changed. Greed rules.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 5:39 PM

Hey Mike, how do you know these are going to be rentals? Are there plans posted anywhere on the web?

Posted by: Anonymous at December 19, 2006 11:06 AM