Artists Could Maybe (not) Return to Matzo Factory by May

According to two former 475 Kent Avenue residents—who along with 200 others were forced to vacate their lofts last January because of a dangerous matzo ball situation in the basement—there’s some hope that the building’s problems could be resolved by May. But they’re skeptical. It’s already been 12 weeks since they were forced out into the cold, with the landlord promising compliance as quickly as possible. “The FDNY is projecting they will lift the vacate order when the sprinkler system is done. It’s taking longer than they expected at this juncture. However, it now looks as if the work will be done at the end of this month, but we worry about how work will stop for Passover,” one artist, who asked not to be named, wrote in an email. “There is still work that needs to be done with the electricity and the gas lines after the sprinkler system is fixed, but FDNY says we can still move back in before all that work is done.” That person said later, in a phone conversation, “There are guys in the Department of Buildings who are saying, ‘No we can’t live there anymore.’ … The Fire Department wants us back in there, they’re trying to help us get back in there.” Another former tenant said, “Truthfully, [it’s] still up in the air. But the landlord told friends three weeks, a week and a half ago. I’ve seen May 1st written about on our email chain but people who know about Buildings etc. have expressed scepticism in return. And everything requires clearance by FDNY still.”

Fire Department spokesman Jim Long said, “There is several violations and issues at that location and the onus is on the landlord to correct them, and once those have been corrected … then they’ll probably be allowed back in. But it’s on the landlord.” The Buildings Department didn’t get back with an answer after several attempts. And Morris Hartman, vice president of 475 Kent owner Sheila Properties, said, “I can’t comment on that exactly right now.”

Meanwhile, 22 former residents are holding a “475 Kent Lives” exhibit at the Queens Museum of Art satellite gallery Bulova Corporate Center, 75-20 Astoria Boulevard in Jackson Heights. There’s an opening reception tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. with performances by musicians from the building.
475 Kent Tenants to Bloomberg: Let Us Back In! [Brownstoner]
Glimmers of Hope for 475 Kent Residents [Brownstoner]
Hard times at Kent lofts[Metro]
Top photo by brucelabounty.