FCR Sued, Issued Violation for Pacific Street Demo
Forest City Ratner was given a violation yesterday in connection with a Stop Work Order issued on Saturday at 620 and 622 Pacific Street. DOB found several code violations on site–including a defective safety fence–when it visited the site last weekend after calls from disgruntled neighbors at 624 Pacific. The rent controlled tenants at 624,…
Forest City Ratner was given a violation yesterday in connection with a Stop Work Order issued on Saturday at 620 and 622 Pacific Street. DOB found several code violations on site–including a defective safety fence–when it visited the site last weekend after calls from disgruntled neighbors at 624 Pacific. The rent controlled tenants at 624, at least one of whom is a member of DDDB, had filed a civil lawsuit last week over alleged improper usage of a backhoe during demolition work. The Atlantic Yards Report wrote yesterday that the residents would be seeking to file a criminal complaint in upcoming days. As for the violation, the maximum penalty is $2,500 which must really be keeping Bruce up night.
FCR Cited for Not Stopping Demo Work [NY Times]
Criminal Complaint to be Filed [Atlantic Yards Report]
Photo by David Gochfield
Yes, they should be following the rules. But me thinks we are going to get exagerated scrutiny with every step on this project. I clearly see construction site on my block where they just demolished garage – with backhoe, etc adjoining walkup apt building on side and house from behind.
And I doubt people next door are trembling in fear.
yo – pro-ratner anons:
these are people who were sleeping when a freakin’ backhoe started scraping the side of their homes at 7 in the morning! this is not about the stupid arena, it’s about not being killed by idiot contractors and a cut-throat development company.
“and one other things. these aren’t “anti-Ratner” folks, these are rent-stabilized tenants trying to make sure their building doesn’t collapse due to an illegal demolition method.”
The article clearly states at least one tenant is a member of DDDB, which is the most anti-Ratner group in existence.
I agree with Anon 12:13. This is a lot to do about nothing. This project is moving forward nicely given the city and state budgets both contain the small public investment in infrastructure that is needed to get it kick started.
and one other things. these aren’t “anti-Ratner” folks, these are rent-stabilized tenants trying to make sure their building doesn’t collapse due to an illegal demolition method.
anon, you don’t get it. FCR was demolishing a building abutting a residnetial building owned by FCR. FCR’s contractors were supposed to do this by hand, that is the permit they had, yet they did it with machines, risking the safety of the tenants in the abutting building owned by FCR. AND FCR told its contractors that nobody lived in the abutting building of which FCR is landlord.
all the while, FCR has said they are doing these demolitions to protect public safety. their concern about public safety always seemed insincere, and with this demolition they have shown that to be so.
the point isn’t the fine. the point is that once again, it is demonstrated that FCR cannot be trusted and FCR gives a hoot about the public and its safety.
$2500? That’s like the average citizen getting fine a penny. Yet another meaningless gesture by the anti-Ratner folks. This, too, shall pass and have absolutely no effect on the realization of the AY plan.
11:12. Ratner is shorthand for Forest City Ratner. FCR is responsible for the demo. so the above posters are right. and you know that.
Yes, I’m sure Bruce Ratner himself is supervising directly the demolition. Why would he contract out? – it is such stimulating work and I’m sure that is what he must have studied for years to do. He solely and individually ordered that backhoe and said don’t bother checking the safety fence.