Development Watch: 214 25th Street
In response to a report from a neighbor about a collapsing parapet, the DOB slapped the conversion project at 214 25th Street in Greenwood Heights with a Full Stop Work Order on Wednesday (even though not much work has been going on). (We even hear that a homeless guy has been camping out here.) The…
In response to a report from a neighbor about a collapsing parapet, the DOB slapped the conversion project at 214 25th Street in Greenwood Heights with a Full Stop Work Order on Wednesday (even though not much work has been going on). (We even hear that a homeless guy has been camping out here.) The action followed an “Emergency Declaration” two weeks earlier based on unsafe work conditions. Now the big question is whether HPD will step in and have to tear the whole thing down. GMAP DOB
The City never steps in until the building collapses or is in imminent danger of collapsing. Its private property and they can’t make people repair it only issue summonses and fine them. There is some movement to change this at the City council but it hasn’t passed…yet…
Total POS environment. Having passed by this site countless times I wonder whether the owner is purposely letting it goto pot.
If you look on BIS, it’s supposed to be a commercial/residential conversion. So much for that if the building is taken down by HPD.
Shame that viable existing buildings are opened to the elements and allowed to revert to tear-downs.
Shameful.
I have a friend who lives on that block. They don’t know anything about a collapsing parapet, but the new owners slapped up a cheap, ugly plywood fence that has now blown down twice in the last couple of months. The building is completely open to the street and no actual work has been done on it in months (other than looting of anything of value that may have been inside).
The previous owner tried to get the zoning changed so he could add several floors to the building and make it a condo, but never got approval. I wouldn’t be surprised if the new owner is hoping it collapses so he can try again for a rezoning.
I live next door to this building and have personally called 311 4 separate times over the last month about this building. It is becoming a trash dump and is definitely dangerous since it is wide open. I have never seen the homeless man who “lives” on our block inside or near the building, although if he did take shelter there at least the building would serve some useful purpose. Right now it is just awful.