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May 22, 2008

Ward's Bakery: SWO But Well Beyond Salvation

wards-bakery-0508.jpg
When we snapped this photo of the rear of Ward's Bakery earlier this week, we did so simply because we were struck by how far along the demolition actually was; from the front, one would have no idea. Now, per Atlantic Yards Report, news comes of the project being hit with a Stop Work Order after a member of the demolition crew was injured on Monday. Other than remedial safety work, demolition may not recommence until the structural engineer gives the thumbs-up. And here we had deludedly held out hope that the recent delays and problems with the Atlantic Yards project as a whole might have opened up a window to save the historic building. Silly us.
Stop-work order at Ward Bakery [Atlantic Yards Report] GMAP
Ward's Watch: Prepping By The Parapet [Brownstoner]
Ward's Bakery Demolition Imminent [Brownstoner]




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:59 AM | Comments (16)
Categories: Development, Prospect Heights

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Comments

Apparently the floor collapse leading to the SWO was caused by a rotted beam, and inspectors have noted that the building itself is unsafe. But this would contradict the party line so it goes unmentioned here and by Goldstein and Oder.

Posted by: guest at May 22, 2008 11:22 AM

When you say, "Apparently the floor collapse . . . " what makes it apparent? What's your source of information? If it's a documented bit of information, please share the source. Even "the party line" has to yield to facts sometimes.

Posted by: guest at May 22, 2008 12:23 PM

The source is the SWO itself, which states "possible cause rotted beam."

http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2008/05/stop-work-order-at-ward-bakery.html

Posted by: guest at May 22, 2008 12:29 PM

The building was not declared unsafe any time over the past 3 yeas that Forest City Ratner has owned it.

Posted by: guest at May 22, 2008 1:15 PM

So it's "possible" that it was caused by a rotted beam, not apparent. Moreover, that's just listed in the comments, but if I'm reading it right (and I could be wrong here) the reason "leading to the SWO" isn't the collapsed floor but the demolition's "undermining [the] adjacent building."

There's more than just one party line on this issue . . .

Posted by: guest at May 22, 2008 1:15 PM

ratner >> wards bakery.

brownstoner - if you're concerned with the health of workers you should do a piece on the numerous exploited laborers being used to renovate brownstones over the years throughout brooklyn.

Posted by: BrooklynLove at May 22, 2008 1:27 PM

These comments from the inspector are entirely omitted from AYR, DDDB and Brownstoner's analysis. Brownstoner, Oder and Goldstein imply that the poor condition of the building and the injured worker are the fault of the developer, and that the building is a viable candidate for "saving." A preexisting rotted beam leading to a floor collapse directly contradicts this stance.

Obviously more detail will be needed to determine the true cause of the collapse. But if Oder and Goldstein are going to start crying every time Ratner or the NY Times refer to the "Vanderbilt Yard" by the wrong name or fail to disclose that the project opponents have only lost 11 rather than 18 lawsuits in a row, it would be nice if they fairly disclosed the facts unfavorable to THEIR position.

P.S. Oder has now stated in a separate post that "[t]he stop-work order suggests a rotted beam as a possible cause for the collapse of a section of the floor." An hour after my post here...

Posted by: guest at May 22, 2008 1:33 PM

Yeah, the reason the building is falling down is due to a rotting beam, not because Ratner has a bunch of guys with jackhammers and pickaxes wailing away on it. Or never mind that the wall supporting that floor had already been removed. And leaving the windows open on buildings from which residents and businesses were forced would have nothing to do with it, either. All to tear down a building in a portion of the project for which no state construction deadline even exists.

That beam is the least of what's rotten with Atlantic Yards.

Posted by: guest at May 22, 2008 2:15 PM

Don't think we implied that, 1:33. We have no idea whose fault it is, if anyone's.

Posted by: brownstoner at May 22, 2008 3:03 PM

2:15, I was *so* happy that Ratner was merely "wailing" at the building, showing he had a change of heart, no-more-done-deal, no AY monstrosity... then reality struck..."waling?" to raise marks on (the skin), as by whipping?

Posted by: cmu at May 22, 2008 3:08 PM

Well said, 1:33.

Another AY-related topic that Norman Oder has failed to investigate is the removal of Patti Hagan from DDDB. I've read two articles on the subject and in both Daniel Goldstein refused to provide the reporter with more detail about the expulsion, which was seemingly done without Ms. Hagan's knowledge or input. It's incredibly hypocritical of him, given how he has demanded for years that Ratner be more honest, inclusive, and "transparent" in his dealings. Obviously, Mr. Goldstein does not live by his own rules. This is also the reason why the DDDB press release about Goldstein's racist "wealth whtie masters" comment is absent from the DDDB web site, even though every other DDDB press release is available for viewing.

Do as I say and not as I...

Posted by: guest at May 22, 2008 3:10 PM

The Ward Bread Building is a very large structure with facades on Pacific and Dean Streets. The Dean Street side is largely gone now as the photographs show. The more distinguished Pacific Street facade is nearly all intact and although the interior has been cleared out that part of the building largely stands independent of the rest.

The building was recently renovated, in excellent condition and full throughout with an operating business until it was purchased by the developer Boymelgreen after Atlantic Yards was announced. Boymelgreen then turned around and sold it to Forest City Ratner Companies. It has been down-hill for the building since.

Even in the course of demolition work, the Ward Bread Building is supposed to remain safe so that no workers are hurt. That is why the Department of Buildings has asked FCRC's engineering firm to draw up a new demolition plan because the one they were using obviously created unsafe conditions. The cause of the floor collapse may have been a rotted beam as the preliminary inspection suggested. On the other hand, it may also have been caused by unsafe work practices. Presumably the Department of Buildings is looking into that very real possibility.

Posted by: Guest 1 at May 23, 2008 11:48 AM

D-O-N-E-D-E-A-L!!!

Posted by: guest at May 23, 2008 2:47 PM

Posted by: guest at May 22, 2008 3:10 PM

Maybe they failed to investigate because....who cares? The inner workings of DDDB is so unimportant, they are a grassroots org made up of people who never intended to be doing this. Not like Acorn, or FCR or any other fully funded entity.
Which press release do you refer to, the one from opportunist Al Sharpton? Ratner is a wealthy master. That is just a fact, not racism.
Patty is white.


snooze.

Posted by: guest at May 24, 2008 9:22 AM

Do as I say and not as I...

Posted by: guest at May 22, 2008 3:10 PM

Patty, is that you? Have you learned to use the computer?

Posted by: guest at May 24, 2008 9:23 AM

dan goldstein you are pos

Posted by: guest at May 25, 2008 2:55 PM

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