Raid This Morning at Burg Artist Enclave 475 Kent

Gothamist is reporting that the FDNY, DOB and Brooklyn DA’s office banded together to raid Williamsburg’s 475 Kent Avenue earlier this morning in an apparent attempt to gain access to landlord Nachman Brach’s office. The building, which is known for housing artists, was evacuated in early 2008 after it was discovered that Brach was running an illegal matzo factory out of the basement; the residents were allowed to return a few months later. According to Gothamist, the brouhaha this morning seemed to follow from the FDNY being under orders “to forcibly enter Brach’s office,” though it’s unclear why those orders were issued: “One resident said that Brach was ‘hiding in the loading dock’ and refusing to open the office; another resident, who declined to be identified, told us he saw officials from the tax department at the scene.” Whatever the reason, it doesn’t seem like the tenants are in danger of being booted once again.
More Drama At 475 Kent, That Big Semi-Legal Bohemian Building [Gothamist]