Wall Collapse, Vacate Order, Maybe Demo on MacDonough
The Department of Buildings issued vacate orders yesterday for the two brownstones at 329 and 331 MacDonough Street in Bed Stuy due to unstable conditions caused by illegal construction work in the basement of Number 329. ANC Contracting, which had been gut-renovating 329 MacDonough, was issued three ECB violations (for failure to protect the adjacent…
The Department of Buildings issued vacate orders yesterday for the two brownstones at 329 and 331 MacDonough Street in Bed Stuy due to unstable conditions caused by illegal construction work in the basement of Number 329. ANC Contracting, which had been gut-renovating 329 MacDonough, was issued three ECB violations (for failure to protect the adjacent property, for work contrary to approved plans and for unsafe conditions). The cause of the structural failure was damage to the party wall as well as water and gas pipes in the basement. A tipster told us that a DOB inspector on-site yesterday evening said the buildings would be torn down, and the photo on the jump from 11 p.m. shows a fence erected, but as of the end of the workday yesterday DOB officials were not able to confirm the course of action. More to come. It will be really sad if these beautiful buildings have to come down. GMAP
See that is why I love this part of the Stuy.
I am confident that anyone with any pull is doing everything they can. I just spoke with Ms. Kendall at LPC who said they are well aware of what’s going on and are taking care of it. You see, while I am at work blogging away, my neighbors are back home making all the real progress. Damn, they’re good!
MacD, I’m sure Monique and the Atwells are all over this.
Thank you for the suggestion, Grand Army. I just sent Ms. Daly an e-mail, but got an out of office message reply. I then sent the same message to her assistant, Claire Kendall, who I hope is able to take action despite Ms. Daily’s absence.
Dave – No comment.
Al Vann lives in the gray house on the southeast end of the block. I’ve never seen him in the neighborhood either.
I really do hope they can save those buildings – that block is so beautiful as it is.
MacD, I didn’t know Al Vann actually lived on that block. No wonder I’ve never seen him in the neighborhood with him being so far away!!!! 3 blocks. Jeesh.
If the block is indeed landmarked, contact the Landmarks Preservation Commission asap. LPC trumps DOB so no demolition can occur without their approval — once they get involved. Try Kate Daly, executive director. I believe her email is kdaly@lpc.nyc.gov. TYou can also get through to LPC via 311 or check out their website. Good luck!
Okay, but I don’t know your e-mail addresses (I sent one to MM, but it got bounced or sent to spam a few months back). I can be reached at: skr200@nyu.edu. Sorry to take the focus off the topic, which is the tragedy of what is going on with the two brownstones on the block. Back to that …
MacD- please come. MM and I haven’t seen you since we all went to red Hook and we’ve been talking about getting hold of you to do another outing. If you want to come with us, email Montrose or me.