Daily News: DOB Chief Buried Scarano's Blunders
In return for architect Robert Scarano voluntarily bowing out of the self-certification program last year, DOB head Patricia Lancaster agreed not to make public any of the details of the department’s investigation into the architect’s role at 32 sites in Brooklyn, according to a Daily News article. In a signed document, Lancaster reportedly agreed not…
In return for architect Robert Scarano voluntarily bowing out of the self-certification program last year, DOB head Patricia Lancaster agreed not to make public any of the details of the department’s investigation into the architect’s role at 32 sites in Brooklyn, according to a Daily News article. In a signed document, Lancaster reportedly agreed not to give regulators “any information or documents that form the basis for the [department’s] assertions and allegations [against Scarano].” She also promised to not give the press any details “except to say that the matter has been resolved satisfactorily.” Now relatives of Anthony Duncan, a worker who was killed last year at one of worksites for which Scarano was the architect, are blaming the cover-up in part for the fatal accident. The article, however, implies that Lancaster’s actions were not illegal at the time. The no-referral practice was eliminated shortly thereafter, according to a mayoral spokesman, to “foster closer ties between the city and the [state] Office of Professional Discipline to better regulate licensed architects and engineers.”
Buildings Chief Hid Architect’s Mistakes [NY Daily News]
Another Death on a Scarano-Certified Site [Brownstoner]
If I was a General Contractor I would be happy to work on some Scarano projects. It’s easy and convenient: whatever you screw up in the construction site, all the blame will be invariably put on Scarano (and even on Lancaster). I think this is a dream for every G.C. around. No wonder why so many like to work with him – behid this escape goat you are safe and clean.
Lancaster helped kill a man. I hope she can live with herself.
How is the system now in place supposed to work?
Even if what she did was “legal” at the time, how can anyone now have any faith whatsoever in the DOB? Why even bother calling 311 to complain about anything at all if this is where said complaints might eventually morph into nothing but futility for the wronged? Why ask to speak to a supervisor or “higher-up” if this is what you’ll eventually get, no matter how bad the problem is?
I wonder how all the community groups feel – the ones who have worked hard to fight unscrupulous building practices in brooklyn…It makes sense why the DOB was, in their own words, always “at a loss” to explain how crazy and unacceptable buildings were approved, time and again.
Sounds like they need to clean house from the top on down, cause corruption is like cancer. Unless you remove it all, it will eventually come back.
Go DeBlassio!!!!!!!!!!!
What ever happened in going after the General Contractor? Why is the Architect responsible for this unfortunate death?
The Architect drafts construction documents for contractors to build from. The Means and Methods of how to build the design of the entire project is the sole responsibility of the General Contractor and not the Architect. The Architect has a limited role in the supervision of the project to make sure the contractor is following the guide lines of the design. It is the responsibility of the General Contractor to make sure all federal, state and local laws are followed to ensure the safe and well being of all his workers. In addition the General Contractor or owner of the project must hire a licensed engineer to sign off on the Technical Report to ensure that all aspects of construction was build to code and all local regulations. The safety of the project and the people who are working on the project is the responsibility of the General Contractor.
This is bad.
When we read about the Dirty Doctor Finkelstein and now this we should worry how well the entire regulatory system functions.
Loved the article, but the comment above:
“why she’s been secretive about the terms of the deal she cut with Scarano”
She’s not necessarily. The OATH hearing against Scarano, mezzanines and worker deaths included (outlined in the NY Times article by Willie Newman, summer of 2006) was the clincher in him VOLUNTARILY (it was not taken away) turning over his professional certification privileges in return, DOB would seal the case and not report him. Plain and simple.
FOIL request is in order. Want to spring for the for Mr. B?
The article only says she agreed not to produce incriminating documentation to the Education Dept (licensing authorities) and the press. The deal is between the City and Scarano (et.al). But the City doesn’t license architects, the State does. So what about John Q. Public? Now that the cat’s out of the bag, can’t anyone just FOIL the documentation from the DOB, turn it over to the State licensing authorities, and demand the suspension of these licenses?
It’s interesting to me that the state board, which loves to go after all kinds of quacks or malfeasance in other disciplines should be so hamstrung here by not having the evidence on the ground, as documented by the DOB.
It was drilled into my head at school that architects enjoy their monopoly on their small part of the building process only in return of being fiduciaries of the public good. Furthermore, the DOB clearly exists only to safeguard the public good. If one or more elements of this puzzle are suppressing information, that’s bizarre.
I’m not sure why Lancaster thinks she can or should do the state regulator’s job for them, or why she’s been secretive about the terms of the deal she cut with Scarano. What part of the public good has she advanced with these deals?