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November 1, 2007
Another Structural Accident on Ratner's Watch
Just around the corner from where the parapet of Ward's Bakery collapsed last April, another Forest City Ratner-controlled property in the Atlantic Yards footprint began falling apart yesterday, necessitating the evacuation of several tenants. At some point yesterday afternoon, the facade at 540 Vanderbilt Avenue (an 8-unit building which Ratner bought for $2 million in 2005) began "peeling off," according a tipster. When we arrived around 5 p.m., an employee from the scaffolding company confirmed the story. A well-lubricated homeless bystander slurred, "What does it matter—they're going to tear the f#$@ing place down anyway." We haven't checked, but we assume there's a scaffolding up by now. GMAP P*Shark
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Comments
I wouldn't say "the facade...began 'peeling off'" since it looks like it is simply a case of a detached cornice. Still, it is a shame. "Shame"? Many might be wondering if this was intentional or at least a result of intentional neglect. Hhhh...
I'm still PISSED OFF that they're getting away with closing streets and the Carlton Ave. Bridge effectively cutting off Fort Greene from Prospect Heights, Flatbush Ave. and pedestrian access to Park Slope. If anything, the Flowers-that-Bee should require some sort of pedestrian crossing be created (and maintained!) for the duration of any bridge closing--just like it probably would be in Manhattan during any major bridge closing. It's not a case of "Sidewalk Closed. Use Other Side". There ain't no other side. The detour for peds will take 20 minutes or more effectively doubling the time it takes to get between neighborhoods.
I passed a young man crossing the bridge this past weekend. He joked that he lives right there in Prospect Heights and his girlfriend lives right over Atlantic in Fort Greene but that if the bridge closes they'll have to think of breaking up...it was morbid humor but, no doubt, they will be very much impacted.
FG/TGL
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 9:39 AM
Everytime I pass these buildings I walk in the street rather than under the scaffolding because I've always suspected they want them to 'accidentally' fall down so they can be demolished. I don't want to be the one under this 'protective' scaffolding when they do!
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 10:41 AM
it's a shame that ratner hates brooklyn this much
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 10:48 AM
i took a photo of this building on 10/29, and the cornice was already gone, so the latest issue with this building really might be about the facade "peeling off". or maybe the cornice fell off because the facade was crumbling?
see my photo here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracy_collins/1802220177/
i'll have a look at the building later today to see if i notice something else.
Posted by: threecee at November 1, 2007 10:58 AM
interesting...if anyone's nearby it would be interesting to know if a scaffolding is now up.
Posted by: brownstoner at November 1, 2007 11:09 AM
I thought only brand new condo buildings fall apart and that any prewar building lasts forever.
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 11:22 AM
It does not take 20 minutes to walk down Vanderbilt or Sixth Ave. instead. Stop with the drama. If this guy's relationship is so weak that having to take a few extra minutes to reach his girlfriend's will end it, then it was doomed anyway.
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 12:47 PM
Slightly less sarcastically than 12:47, I have to agree: it does not take 20 minutes to walk from Carlton and Pacific to Sixth Avenue, across the bridge, and up Atlantic to South Portland.
btw, I have learned that DOT is not going to create an auto detour for Carlton, because it wants drivers to find a range of routes that suit each one best. However, a posted bicycle detour may be created.
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 2:02 PM
I believe this is yet another example of Rat-hassment.
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 2:14 PM
Maybe not 20 minutes, but those are long blocks, so you're talking at least 10 and maybe as much as 15 minutes. The point is that Ratner's convenience is again being placed above all others'.
And if his contractors are creating the number of problems they are during minor pre-demolition, it's not really boding well for the construction of 8 million square feet of buildings now, is it?
Posted by: guest at November 1, 2007 2:26 PM
just walked by there about an hour ago and didn't notice anything new other than a sidewalk shed has been built in front of the building.
as far as the facade peeling away, i did notice what appears to be a crack running down the northeast corner between the facade and the side wall. checking my past photos, it seems like this crack has been there since at least feb 2007, when i took this photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracy_collins/384977046/
you'll have to look at the original size of the photo (click the "ALL SIZES" icon) to see the crack.
maybe this crack has grown, and if so, i would guess that it would have to do with the demolition of the buildings on either side.
Posted by: threecee at November 1, 2007 4:22 PM
i meant to say "running down the *southeast* corner..." in the previous comment.
Posted by: threecee at November 1, 2007 4:25 PM
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