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
Yes, Last Exit bar on Atlantic between Henry and Clinton. People will start showing up at 6-630ish and I guess will be there till @1130ish at least.
Did I hear there was drinking going on tonight? I could probably use one later on.
That is so sad MacD, especially for the lady at 331. Thank you for taking the time to give more details at what I’m sure is a stressful time for you as well.
I do hope that Brownstoner will follow up as this situation develops and hope that you are able to keep us updated with news of the folks that lived there.
I am by no means the official rep. of the block, but I do know a litte about the residents. The folks at 329 consisted of the owner (a lawyer, I belive) and his girlfreind (both super nice), and 331 is owned by the nicest woman (I’d say she is older, perhaps from one of the Islands originally, a gardner and baker) and yes she did have tenants. Neither of these buildings were rent stab. (sorry, Rob, your radar is off on this one), and I too am worried about where these folks are going to live and what is going to happen to them and their property. I was always under the impression that the lady from 331 owned the property without a mortgage, and that this was her retirement plan. The couple from 329 just moved in, and seemed to be doing everything by the book.
Al Vann lives across the street, so I would guess he is on this situation.
Emotions aside for the moment, this will make one hell of a case study. What does happen in cases like this on historic blocks with landmark designation?
first of all Al Vann lives on this block. Not sure who DIBS is referring to as the ‘unoffical mayor’ but also the owners of Akwaaba and some SOLA shops live on this block. there has to be outrage! this is horrible.
what about the occupants! they may loose their homes! who is responsible for their well being in the meantime and for rebuilding their home!
Legion, i suspect that is already in the works. There’s a lot of “clout” living on that block.
MacD,
I’m sorry to hear of this problem on that beautiful block,
I would say it is not too soon to get the local councilman or assemblywoman involved. These are historic buildings in a historic district. If this were near Mayor Bloomberg’s townhouse on the Upper East Side,you know there would be alot being done to preserve not just tear down and destroy.
MacD, nice to see you. I was hoping you would chime in. i saw the firetrucks there yesterday morning but had no idea. i did not notice the barricades on my way to work this morning.
This is a very grave situation and I hope these buildings are salvaged.
What has happened with the inhabitants of 329??? Is it one family???
Hi guys: I lost my password and needed to get another. Thanks B-stoner. I have no additional information, other than the entire block is just sick over this and we are doing everything we can to stop these buildings from getting torn down. I, for one, am calling a structural engineer to my house to look at my basement. Seriously, it seems like putting additonal support down there is a no brainer for 100+ old buildings. Everyone says “these buildings are sound, been around forever, don’t worry …” Well, the proof is in the pudding.
BTW – There are new coops next to 329, and I believe they dug out the basement, too. I wonder how this will impact them? I hope they are safe and sound, but how do you condemn and tear down a building and not have it impact your neighbor?
Any alternative ideas to tearing these buildings down would be greatly appreciated. We are an active block association and will lobby for whatever idea makes the most sense.
Any structural engineers out there care to weigh in?