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]
Yes steel or Wood frame construction (although a new “brownstone” would likely be steel.)vs…masonry construction (i.e. structural load bearing mason walls). Sorry Brother you can study all you want in almost every scenario – the frame construction is stronger (wind, earthquake, loss of major structural element, etc…) and the WTC bxgrl is not relevant because of its unique stell tube construction (actually similar to masonry in the sense that the exterior walls were load bearing)
being put out on the street with nothing but the clothes on your back at 80 years old is better than having a dispute with the DOB about your C of O from the comfort of your home? I see the point you are trying to make, but I suspect you’ll have a lot more notice before being put out on the street.
Community involvement has its place in this process, as does the involvement of local politicians. However, make no mistake, the judge is looking at the structural engineering side of this as the basis of his decisions. So, at this point, it is moot whether any of us want to politicize the process.
However, it should be acknowledged that the only reason the judge has control over this process at all is because the owner of 329 went into court and applied for a stay! The DOB refused to even meet with them prior to that. Did local politicians advise the owner to go to court? Was the community rallying involved in helping him realize that court was an option? who knows. For that reason, i wouldnt be so dismissive of those efforts to block or at least questions the DOB’s apparent rush to condemn.
-a few weeks later, the building does indeed collapse.
Who would be responsible, in such a situation?
Or it doesn’t and the DOB has been called out on it and hopefully the whole department gets a massive restructuring
Bxgrl;
Both the WTC and Empire State building are made of steel frame construction. I think what you are referring to is the type of steel frame construction.
Arkady;
Let’s do a thought experiment of where this might go:
-DOB engineer states that the building is in imminent danger of collapse. Orders that it be torn down.
-owner brings in engineer, who states that the building is not in imminent danger of collapse, and can be saved;
-Al Vann sees a way to raise his popularity among the constituents. Runs with the owners’ engineering report, and demands that the DOB allow the building to stay up. Community rallies are organized.
-DOB buckles under community pressure, and rescinds the order.
-a few weeks later, the building does indeed collapse.
Who would be responsible, in such a situation?
benson, I hear you about your condo. I think the public reaction in this case makes sense because of the imminence of the decision and its irreversible situation. Yours is ongoing, which is not to minimize the gravity of the issue.
pig three- weren’t those comparisons made after the WTC collapsed, as opposed to what they think would have happened if the Empire State Building had been hit?
I don’t see how you can say it’s politicized, Benson. What was called for immediately was further investigation of the site & a stop order on the DOB who wanted to demolish it immediately. No one suggested that if it were hazardous it should be kept.
The cancer/2nd opinion metaphor is excellent. All that anyone called for was the opportunity to have disinterested engineers look at the buildings & evaluate them.
Jeeezzzz, slopefarm. Must you be so reasonable? 🙂