MacDonough St. Houses Report
From the Landmarks Conservancy comes some details about the battle to save 329 and 331 MacDonough St. in Stuyvesant Heights. The owner of 329, an attorney, quickly sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the DOB from tearing down both houses in the aftermath of his workmen causing the collapse of the party wall in…
From the Landmarks Conservancy comes some details about the battle to save 329 and 331 MacDonough St. in Stuyvesant Heights. The owner of 329, an attorney, quickly sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the DOB from tearing down both houses in the aftermath of his workmen causing the collapse of the party wall in the cellar. Through the auspices of the Landmarks Conservancy and the Historic Districts Council (HDC), several engineers were brought in to assess the damage. The Conservancy then brought in expert shoring contractor Richard Mugler in the next Tuesday, along with representatives from the DOB, who all sat down to plan the saving of the houses. The following Friday, concrete was poured into the trenches the workmen had dug, as well as elsewhere in the cellars, and plans are being enacted to further build the party wall back up, and stabilize the floors in both buildings. It was the concerted efforts of the homeowners, the community, the Landmarks Conservancy, the HDC, and the sympathetic ear of the court that made it possible for these houses to still be standing, now three weeks after the initial collapse.
Unfortunately, many preservationists and supporters of this cause feel that the Landmarks Preservation Commission did not come forth with the kind of help or support they should have. The LPC advocated for the preservation of the facades, after the inevitable tear-down, but did not come to bat for the homeowners and tenants by vigorously trying to find a way to prevent that destruction, as did the Landmarks Conservancy and the Historic Districts Council. Preservation should be about saving real people’s homes, as well as preserving pure architecture. Hopefully the bad press they received on this issue will resonate, and their stand in the future will be more far sighted.
Conservancy Fights to Save Historic Brownstones [Landmarks Conservancy]
Bed Stuy Residents Fight to Save Houses [The Brooklyn Link]
Update on MacDonough Street [Brownstoner]
Salvation on MacDonough Street? [Brownstoner]
Stay of Execution on MacDonough Street [Brownstoner]
MacDonough Street Update [Brownstoner]
Wall Collapse, Vacate Order for Bed Stuy Houses [Brownstoner]
Wouldn’t the homeowner insurance and the contractor/ architects insurance cover some of the costs?
I would strongly doubt it. the excavation work was illegal.
Wouldn’t the homeowner insurance and the contractor/ architects insurance cover some of the costs?
somewhere, there is a contractor who is wrapping up his underinsured business and starting anew to avoid paying up on the lawsuits that will occur.
the owner works for a white shoe law firm in manhattan. he is not without resources. this is not a poor block.
I think I misread the article. It wasnt the Conservancy slamming the LPC, but “many preservationists and supporters of this cause” which may or may not include the Conservancy. My point stands though. Opinions about preserving the buildings are important, but at this stage it looks like the most important factor will be cost of repairs. Looks like the Conservancy 9website) has a loan program suited to this sort of case. Anyone know if the owner(s) have access to it?
thank goodness, it’s about time. This should have happened two weeks ago. shoring should begin tomorrow. they were ready to demolish instantly but it has taken a month to get the temporary shoring work approved.
Good question Megason. The shoring job cannot be cheap, considering what it constitutes. I would bet the owner(s) will need some sort of financial assistance. Funny seeing the conservancy slamming LPC over their stance on preserving the buildings, but unless the Conservancy is offering grants or low interest loans (if needed), it all rings hollow because those buildings are still in trouble unless the repairs can be paid for. You can bet those contractors and structural engineers arent working for free, and that sort of work can take you well into the 100-200k range and beyond.
What’s been the involvement of the local politicians beyond getting favorable press? Have they been helpful in seeking funding for this project? Anyone know any of the owners?
“The DOB employees involved are bureaucrats as much as engineers and, IMO, should never be thought of as some sort of unquestionable gods, however much one frequent poster to this site becomes dyspeptic at the thought of questioning authority.”
Bob;
Go screw yourself, blowhard.
Press release on Forum, as per Amzi Hill:
February 11, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Crisis on MacDonough Street
UPDATE
FANTASTIC NEWS!!!!
Dear Neighbors and Friends:
As of a few moments ago, the Department of Buildings has approved the plans to repair 329 and 331 MacDonough Street. Prep work will began Friday-Monday with acutal repair to begin on Tuesday to stabilize aspects of the internal structure most impacted. Caution will still be required as the threat of collapse is still a concern. However, once the building has been stabilized and the party wall that was damaged has been reconstituted, we will be that much closer to the DOB lifting the vacate order that would allow our beloved neighbors, currently displaced, to return to their homes.
They don’t make structures like ours anymore; through excessive wind, rain, cold and most recently snow, those buildings held their ground and would not be moved. A blessing for us all that we have come this far together!!!
We of 327, 329 and 331 MacDonough would like to thank all of you – our neighbors and friends who sent email blasts and distributed fliers to amplify our our plight. Those of you who came to court to stand with us and make it plain to the powers that be that we would not budge, would continue to push and poke until we got it right. Many heart-felt thanks!!!