Stay of Execution on MacDonough Street
The second hearing about the future of 329 and 331 MacDonough Street, the two Stuyvesant Heights brownstones threatened with demolition after the collapse of a party wall last week, was held yesterday afternoon at 360 Adams Street. Here’s a report we received from a resident of the block: The Judge called in the lawyers and…
The second hearing about the future of 329 and 331 MacDonough Street, the two Stuyvesant Heights brownstones threatened with demolition after the collapse of a party wall last week, was held yesterday afternoon at 360 Adams Street. Here’s a report we received from a resident of the block:
The Judge called in the lawyers and engineers leaving the public in the hall to wonder what was happening. After an hour the public was allowed in and told that the engineers would have until Wednesday Jan. 27th to present a plan to save the properties. Mrs. Prince, the owner of 331 MacDonough St., has retained a lawyer and engineer in the hopes of saving her property. The Judge has told the public that he is aware of their concerns but, the issue will be resolved by the engineers and our presence in court on the 27th will not be necessary.
Meanwhile, we also contact the Landmarks Preservation Commission to get a better sense of their position and ability to act as advocates for preservation in this case. Here’s the response we got:
Members of our staff have visited the site, and are communicating extensively with the Department of Buildings about these important buildings. Under the Landmarks Law, no Landmarks approval is needed for measures the Department of Buildings must take to address public safety issues. We are advocating for saving as much of the buildings as is safely possible, while deferring to the Department’s engineering knowledge and experience in public safety matters. Landmarks and Buildings have a long history of working together to save historic buildings, and this case is no exception.
We’re also curious to hear how active a role (if any) Councilman Al Vann, who owns a house on the historic block, has taken in the situation. Can anyone tell us?
MacDonough Street Update 1/25/10 [Brownstoner]
Wall Collapse, Vacate Order, Maybe Demo on MacDonough [Brownstoner]
goodbye benson. if your only objection to my post was where i said that the DOB rushed to their condemnation decision to cover their asses, thats a fair point to object to. That is a matter of opinion. However, having seen the myrtle collapse last summer, it seems to me that the DOB has gone from one extreme (do nothing) to the other (rush to condemn). What I have seen in this case so far has done nothing but confirm my suspicions. If that is “taking the cake” as you put it, then perhaps I’m a little less dramatic than you. The cake remains where it was as far as I’m concerned.
MM – “disagree that these houses are less well made than more modern homes.”
They aren’t “less well made” – they are just not as inherently strong – due to advances in modern structural engineering.
Benson,
Do you work in the private or public sector?
You dodged the question. That says it all. Now you want to dive into LAW. Btw, I think it is silly when people type in all capitals to raise their voice. If you want to start a conversation about law, let’s start at the beginning – The Constitution.
benson- I spoke the truth, and you would know about the DOB if you have read the papers. I certainly wasn’t demonizing- i was pointing out that the DOB has been known to be shady (fact, not fiction) and the blithe “tear ’em down” of their inspector makes one wonder. But as dibs says- you just want a rise out of everyone.
Benson, the remark about the inspector rolling in was not made by bxgrl, it was made by me, and I stand by it, and everything else I’ve said.
The only one being shrill here is you, who refuse to even consider that those who advocate for the chance of rescue and repair, my actually know what we are talking about. For the record, I would be advocating that the houses be saved whether they were in a historic district, or not. I care more that people are not uneccessarily and summarily tossed from their homes because that is the easier road. The age or provenance of the home is not the point.
Pig three and Guvna;
This conversation has come to a dead end. I stated that I am a mechanical engineer to make you aware that I familiar with the issues at hand (for your information: mechanical engineers and structural engineers start out in the same course of study concerning applied mechanics.). Having that familiarity, I am appalled at those who would run roughshod over the proper process for making such a determination.
Nowhere in the thread above do I make an opinion about whether or not these buildings can be saved. I actually stated that I HOPE they can be saved.
What I object to is the politicization of an engineering determination. Contrary to what pig three just stated, it is the LAW of our city that the DOB makes the ultimate determination of the building’s safety.
This case is in the news because of the landmarking, the age and long time ownership of the neighbor, and the cause of the damage – a contractor f-up of major proportions. It is also well known because of an active and vocal block with people who have the acumen to make sure lawyers, media, public officials, and independent engineers could be brought in, something other buildings torn down recently may not have had. This is a unique situation, and in my opinion, an excellent case study for why landmarking is important, and more importantly, for why tightly knit blocks and communities are necessary for pulling together when problems and disasters arise. This block is made up of old timers and newcomers who are all supporting their neighbors, however possible, by being vocal, by writing letters and emails, and making sure what can be done, is done. Bed Stuy can be proud of this block.
I disagree that these houses are less well made than more modern homes. Since the disaster, the houses have survived high winds, lots of rain, and court delays, and they are still standing. Empty shells with greater damage stand for years. In my neighborhood, a block away, a semi-detached brownstone that had been boarded up for at least 30 years was totally rehabilitated. Empty shells in Harlem and Bed Stuy are rebuilt all the time. These buildings are strong, and can last, if given the chance.
Benson,
A mechanical engineer could be someone who designs transmissions for small robots or designs heating systems for igloos. You get the idea, I hope.
Not sure what question you answered by stating you are a mechanical engineer.
If it was the amount of structural work you have done with your own hands, then I are still waiting for an answer.
I am not a preservationist in the sense of “Landmarks”. I am a preservationist in the sense of lets, as a community of homeowner, let this homeowner save his effen home if it is remotely possible. If that is his choice, not the DOBs choice.
My message to our government. If your hand is in our pockets to the extent it is and will be in the future, then we have a say in how you use that money and power.
Oh, please explain why Guvna’s post “takes the cake”
Benson, until you have been inside the houses to inspect the damage, how are you in a better position than the structural engineers who have been there? They are putting their reputations on the line, not you. If they say a controlled demolition is not possible without shoring the wall, how can you say they are wrong when you havent been there? As for level of margin, again, you have not been there and they have, so I would suggest that they have a much better idea where that level is, while you havent the faintest clue speaking from your armchair.
In the end, the judge will decide it based on what he hears from the lawyers, structural engineers, and contractors of all parties. At least he appears smart enough to know that the DOB’s argument about imminent collapse was bogus. How imminent could it be when the DOB was walking in and out of the houses all day every day? and why have they now gone from seeking to demolish 4 houses down to 2? You may have the luxury of believing everything the DOB says, but those homeowners dont. Good for them that they have representation.