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]
I met Wilson Goode once.
Knock it all down! Fire bomb the block! That’ll learn ’em!
benson – it’s not just a safety issue. it’s fighting to preserve landmark buildings and property values. from what i understand if you don’t fight the city will just demolish – it’s easier for them. we need politicians to stand up to fight the city to save the buildings. they can be sured up.
I didn’t have my morning coffee. My last line should have been: “Overule engineers on a matter of safety?”.
I heard Al was out of the country. His office was supposed to be sending one of his people, but if it was the person he usually sends on these occasions, don’t expect much of anything of substance. Bkny is right. Those who re-elected Al are getting exactly the kind of attention we’ve gotten from him for years, not much. Too bad the rest of us have to suffer. If the people on his own block can’t get results, the rest of us don’t have a prayer.
Al Vann represents Al Vann. Letitia James is always there when these things come up, and she puts in the time and work. Mark would have been great- I still don’t understand how he could have lost.
I find the above report of the provceedings to be incomplete, particularly this line: “Mrs. Prince, the owner of 331 MacDonough St., has retained a lawyer and engineer in the hopes of saving her property.”
Where is this woman’s insurance company?? It would seem to me that they would have something to say about the matter,since we’re talking about a matter of safety.
I also object to those who call for politicians to become involved in a matter of safety. What do folks want them to do? Overall engineers on a safety issue?
MacD, the sad thing is that Al Vann represents our community, NOT Letitia james. 🙁
Leticia James was very involved yesterday, and seemed to be doing an outstanding job representing the interests of our community.