Gothamist: Buildings Department Approved Collapsed Crane's Building Plans in Error

angry_pickle

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:54:52 -0500

I agree we don't need any more luxury condos that are bought up and rented out immediately. But I don't think we need any more housing for segments of the poor especially those who only churn kids out, never pay their rent or their utility bills.

dbc

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:11:58 -0500

#11, although the water rate increase sucks, they have no other option--they are required to pay their debt service, as that has a first claim on revenues. Stupidly, they're in the hole because they continued to provide services (water) to people that didn't pay their bills, which in turn annoyed lenders, who believed that their debt was secured by the fact that the water board was providing a necessary utility that customers couldn't default on (default on payment = no water, making it less likely that people would default).

FrankMartin

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:05:32 -0500

So does that mean the building won't be finished? and what is built torn down?

Spiritof76

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:52:02 -0500

The sooner the real estate "boom" goes bust, the better. There's irrational exuberance and then there's just plain insanity.

JenChungsBra

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:50:31 -0500

Most screwed up local government agencies: 1) Department of Buildings -- Not even a contest here as DOB grabs the top spot for the 17th year in a row. Corruption, incompetence and apathy define this sinkhole. 2) Department of Education -- Singlehandedly responsible for most white flight out of the city. With a budget greater than that of most countries still can't provide a decent education for most of the city's kids. Recently got rolled by the teacher's union once again. 3) Department of Finance -- Earns this spot for two-hour waits at parking violations court. 4) Housing Development Corporation -- Anyone notice any affordable housing being developed lately? Anyway, HDC will forever live on this list for the sins of Russell Harding. 5) Department of Environmental Protection -- Just proposed another water rate increase of 14.5 percent. Last year they hiked the rates over 11 percent and said that this year's hike would be the same. They lied.

Snoopy

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:48:26 -0500

WTF? What does a zoning law have to do with a crane collapse? Talk about a bunch of assholes. What do they do down at buildings all day? Jerk each other off?

Kingpin

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:37:49 -0500

kissel, New York doesn't need any more overpriced condos that squeeze out the lower income natives and doom local businesses like the Cheyenne and Moondance diners.

JMH

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:34:06 -0500

8 out of 29 cranes failed inspection? More than 25%? Seriously?

kissel

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:20:27 -0500

the building's height had little to due with the crane not being properly fastened to the structure. And at any rate, they should be building as much of any type of housing as possible in this city to increase supply, so height is not really a concern for me.

Politburo

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:52:09 -0500

Sounds like Councilwoman Lappin is jumping to conclusions. We simply don't know what the exact issue is. However, the DOB commissioner should have been more forthright about what specifically is not in accordance with the zoning laws, rather than saying "it's complicated". If the issue wouldn't have substantially changed the project, then it really has nothing to do with the crane collapse.

Atomische

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:34:31 -0500

"Lancaster explained after the hearing that the zoning issues were complicated" The DOB should all be fired. The jobs should be filled with smarter folks who are able to understand complicated things.

Tgirl

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:26:16 -0500

we don't need any more 'to die-for' luxury high-rises in this city, enough already

likesrudylikesbooty

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:25:22 -0500

Rest assured. The DOB will investigate the DOB screwup.

JacqueMehoff

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:12:42 -0500

too late, it's already built. blame the DOB and who was it who wants quick changes to zoning regs?

David McCaffredy

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:59:56 -0500

Gee... I wonder if the unnamed plan examiner was paid off by the developer... You gotta love how the city looks the other way when theres an obvious cloud of corruption hovering over The Great NYC Building Boom of the 2000's.