Eviction at 889 Broadway Ruffling Feathers
On August 6, the Department of Buildings issued vacate orders to the residents of 889 Broadway in Bushwick, a three-story building containing at least 15 apartments (the number varies with different reports, strangely). Residents were given three hours to vacate, after which their doors were padlocked. The DOB cited several violations such as illegal plumbing,…
On August 6, the Department of Buildings issued vacate orders to the residents of 889 Broadway in Bushwick, a three-story building containing at least 15 apartments (the number varies with different reports, strangely). Residents were given three hours to vacate, after which their doors were padlocked. The DOB cited several violations such as illegal plumbing, lack of a sprinkler system, and illegal conversion to a residential building. Even though the building has been a residential property for over ten years, these troubles began two weeks ago during a routine fire inspection. Now, BushwickBK and The Village Voice report that the building’s management company, VJ Holdings, is working with the DOB to rectify its violations and correct for faulty paperwork; it has also set up a Twitter feed for tenants, in addition to daily e-mails. The company has offered $100 per day to its tenants for housing, and the Red Cross was able to find temporary housing for about 9 tenants. Other tenants are staying with friends, family, or lovers. Shawn Gallagher, one of the displaced tenants, told BushwickBK: “Yes, the landlords are at fault for allowing these conditions to exist, but there was no reason why the DOB couldn’t have talked to the landlords first and maybe come up with some kind of resolution without kicking innocent people out on the streets like that … I’m very mad at the city right now.” GMAP
Tenants Blame City in 889 Broadway Eviction [BushwickBK]
Evicted Bushwick Kids Still Homeless [Village Voice]
Residents Mass Evicted on Broadway [BushwickBK]
DOB Shuts Down Converted Building in Bushwick [NY1]
Photo by Jeremy Sapienza, via BushwickBK
city of new york has over 800,000 parcels
no agency can follow that… only when issues arise do they vacate, most illegals are left alone sort of like being the woods, most people don’t get bit bah bares, but sum do
“I’m very mad at the city right now.”
C’mon – I’m willing to bet this guy knew it was an illegal conversion with violations. Too bad he got thrown out, but he and others had to know it was a possibility. If he (and others) didn’t, well shame on them.
BHO- I think the DOB has been inept far longer than that 🙂
“Even though the building has been a residential property for over ten years…”
About the time the DOB has been inept. It’s catch up time!
***Bid half off peak comps***
this is a commercial building? tenants at risk in those situation as illegal to use them and unsafe landlord also at risk of huge damages resi use of commercial drives out commercial tenants and raises rents for the remaining
CAVEAT EMPTOR
3 hours from notice to get out. The building wasn’t falling down or on fire. What are people supposed to do in 3 hours? Why are the tenants punished for the landlord’s mistakes? The conditions were known or years- yes the city is irresponsible, not just the landlords but its the tenants who get punished. Go figure.
Wow…. “I’m very mad at the city right now.” he should be more mad with the landlord that has been collecting rent for the past ten years and for not making sure the building was up to code.
Its crazy how people expect the city to protect them from any possible injury or even annoyance, but complain when the city does protect them. Fires and collapses don’t give warnings, it would be irresponsible for the city to “give the landlord a warning” in dangerous situations.
Yet if someone was injured in a fire they’d be suing the city…