One Month Until Scarano's Day in DOB Court
What is causing the DOB to finally focus on architect Robert Scarano’s conduct? If you believe the man himself, it’s jealousy. “We’ve changed the face of what Brooklyn buildings look like,” Scarano told Brooklyn Papers recently. “With change comes resistance.” On the heels of this winter’s charges of self-certifying designs that were larger than what…
What is causing the DOB to finally focus on architect Robert Scarano’s conduct? If you believe the man himself, it’s jealousy. “We’ve changed the face of what Brooklyn buildings look like,” Scarano told Brooklyn Papers recently. “With change comes resistance.” On the heels of this winter’s charges of self-certifying designs that were larger than what zoning laws allowed for, Scarano has more recently been accused of negligence at three job sites in Brooklyn and one in the East Village. In particular, he’s charged with failing to adequately oversee excavations that made adjacent buildings “structurally unsound.” Scarano will have a chance to defend himself–and try to prevent his self-certification privileges from being revoked–when an administrative trial convenes July 12.
More Charges Hit Architect [Brooklyn Papers]
DOB Turns Up Heat on Scarano [Brownstoner]
Heads up to buyers – one of the buildings that has legal problems regarding negligence as regards unsafe excavation is 38 7th Avenue, which was featured on Brownstoner within the last couple of weeks (brownstone converted to condos, units for sale by Corcoran and Aguayo & Heubener). I’d checked out a duplex there over the Memorial Day weekend and went back two weeks ago during an open house for a second look. At that time the owners of 40 7th Avenue had a notice posted outside their building warning potential purchasers of the pending litigation. DH and I asked our A&H broker about it; she first said she knew nothing about a lawsuit, then later got a copy of the relevant legal filings but said the developer didn’t want to give them to us until and unless we were ready to put in an offer (!!). We made it clear that the filings were a matter of public record and if we were forced to go down to the courts ourselves to get a copy, they could kiss any sale buh-bye. Since then we’ve received an incomplete copy of the papers (we don’t have the defendants’ responses, only the plaintiff’s papers) and have been reviewing them.
If you are considering a unit at 38 7th Avenue, make sure to press your Corcoran or A&H broker for this information.
Since the issue of development, brownstone neighborhoods and politics are so intertwined it would be hard to imagine how they can be separated on any blog. In the meantime there is the forum for those who really just want to talk about corbels and fireplace restoration and it is under used. That is certainly not brownstoner’s fault.
If you read Scarano’s comments he claims to have changed the face of Brooklyn. Obviously hot air from an overblown ego but nevertheless it is the changing face of downtown brooklyn neighborhoods that is of interest here.
Frankly I think most of few of Scarano’s building are quite attractive and maybe some that aren’t are because of wishes/constraints of his clients.
Nevertheless his stretching of the law is of interest. An older building on my block was lost because of construction next door (not Scarano job) couple years ago. And the height of some buildings because of devious ways around law effects brownstone blocks.
If you read Scarano’s comments he claims to have changed the face of Brooklyn. Obviously hot air from an overblown ego but nevertheless it is the changing face of downtown brooklyn neighborhoods that is of interest here.
Frankly I think most of few of Scarano’s building are quite attractive and maybe some that aren’t are because of wishes/constraints of his clients.
Nevertheless his stretching of the law is of interest. An older building on my block was lost because of construction next door (not Scarano job) couple years ago. And the height of some buildings because of devious ways around law effects brownstone blocks.
above by
–an architect in Brooklyn
I don’t understand the replies that ask for Scarano posts to be put elsewhere. If you don’t want to read about him, or Brownstoner’s low opinion of him, then don’t. Harping about what Brownstoner posts or doesn’t is silly, because if you don’t like it, start your own blog.
I’m interested in this “case”, but I really wonder what kind of stick the DOB has. Revoking Scarano’s self-certification priviledge amounts to Scarano having some other licensed individual in his firm do it for him. Not a huge blow, I would think.
Wow, Ann Coulter, so glad you could join us.
I wonder if the widows of the dead construction workers who were killed while working on his buildings have a opinion as to whether Brownstoner should mix politics with home decorating tips. Those widows will most likely milk every chance they get to exploit their husbands deaths and criticize Scarano.
But Brownstoner is not simply “keeping us posted”, he is pushing is own agenda about Scarano. If Scarano is tearing down historic building to put up some yucky modern thing, then sure tell us. But can’t we leave the general Scarano bashing posts to http://www.brooklynrecord.com/ ?