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Residents of 784 Columbus Avenue are saying "I told you so" as the Department of Buildings continues its investigation into the retaining wall collapse at 808 Columbus Avenue. Residents at 784 have been complaining about the new constructions for some time and detailed how they've been wearing earplugs and noise-canceling headphones.
A wooden retaining wall at the new construction site had been shoring up the land next to 784 Columbus; when the wall collapsed Wednesday evening, part of 784's foundation was exposed, leading to an evacuation of the building. Later, the DOB found it was safe for most of 784's residents to return, save ones whose apartments are close to 808 Columbus. We hear that residents who have returned do not have gas yet.
The DOB has "logged 51 complaints about construction work" since December, according to the Post, but now the question is whether the DOB acted upon complaints properly. Apparently, on Monday, there were complaints about dynamite blasting "without proper notification" and because "buildings are not protected" but the DOB's response was "NO ACTION NECESSARY BASED UPON PHYSICAL OBSERVATION." And on Wednesday, Daily News says that just before the collapse, there were a few calls about the blasting; one person called, "Part of one of the retaining walls looks as if it is going to collapse." Resident Melanie Cooper-Leary said, "We called 311 many times." Here's a list of complaints from the DOB
The blasting is an early hypothesis as to why the wall collapsed, though the Fire Department disagrees. The NY Times reports that Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer is holding a rally at 11AM to protest construction at 808 Columbus and plans to "ask the Buildings Department to revoke the site’s building permit because of concerns that the development may violate zoning laws."
Pre-retaining wall collapse photograph of the 808 Columbus Avenue site, looking down from 100th Street, by Joe Schumacher/Flickr
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over 50 documented complaints? when r they going 2 file a lawsuit?
thanks jen for putting this story back on the front burner.
this is the type of stuff citizens and the community should be concerned about. not what quinn and barron are squabbling over.
i remember seeing this story in early spring how the residents didn't want their block demolished and look how fast they did the excavation. Probably done without safeguards.
when it gets that bad, someone should start calling 911.
I don't get it - everybody complains about high rent and high real estate prices -- but then they try to shut down construction. How do rents come down unless new buildings go up? It's as if people want to live in fantasyland.
Construction sucks, but it has to happen. Unfortunately, retirees will get the brunt of it because they don't leave their apartments, but that's the way it goes.
here are complaints about 784
I WOULD SUGGEST A RENT-STRIKE!!
i think most residents' frustrations were twofold:
1) that it happened- though, really, as a build-up to months/years of early morning/noisy construction, generally unresponsive management, rent overcharges, incompetent service personnel, etc.
2) that there was absolutely no communication during the entire process. i counted approximately 18 emergency vehicles, dozens of cops, tens of security personnel at one point. Yet, no one knew answers to basic questions- who could stay, how long, etc. However, I cop did tell me my wife couldnt enter, although i could return (b/c i was in the building already). Also, a fire chief asked a young lady was room she was in - as she was evacuating. Yet- didnt ask me. i guess i wasnt attractive (enough).
i know there is a stop-work order on the building. But, alas, the end is inevitable. The new buidings will make some money for Stellar Management ($300 million on the project (in valuation) as soon as its done!), as that is what counts.
-respect;
CoJo
p.s. i hate that red-haired lady in the office. she is a jerk.
To the person that said rents come down because new apartments go up, you're the one living in fantasy land. Do you really think that any of the new apartments will be affordable? These new apartments are not within reach of people who make modest incomes, nor has new construction been shown to bring down the cost of housing in the surrounding area. Prices continue to climb regardless of whether new buildings are constructed. People in this instance are complaining not just because a building is going up, but because this building may not be going up legally, because it affects their health, because it affects their livelihoods. Everyone has a right to complain and should never be told otherwise. If you don't care about that right, move to North Korea.