We need to make these sites into assets for the community. Many of these developments are causing real hazards for their neighbors, with fences falling down on sidewalks, loose construction debris that can become deadly in high winds, and unsecured sites that are dangerous for children and an invitation to squatting.
Help the effort to convert local blight to community benefit by providing feedback and tracking the progress of each site.
Leave comments below on a individual site to update us on the conditions. If you call 311 about an issue, please leave a complaint number in the comment.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
824 Friel Place, Kensington
(between East 8th Street and Coney Island Avenue)
Project Type: Existing building/renovation
Project Description: Rehabilitation of a 2 family home
Status: Open pit, no activity
UPDATE: DOB adds to "Stalled Sites" list for extra monitoring: 2/16/2010
Background: As a result of a tax foreclosure, the City took possesion of this 1-family home in 1990. In 2005, Just Homes LLC, a small developer, bought this property from the City and the Community Preservation Corporation as part of an affordable housing program. Plans for renovation and expansion of the building were approved in 2005 and amended in 2007, but there is no indication of a demolition permit. The building was either demolished or decayed, and all that remains are a pit with partial cement walls and a stoop that leads to nowhere.
Until recently, there was no construction fence, so access was open. A homeless veteran has been living in the pit. The Land Disposition Agreement between the City and Just Homes states the terms for default, which include failure to complete construction within a reasonable time period. There are 24 outstanding violations, but the site is not formally classified by the DOB as Stalled.
Councilmember Lander's office intervened, and now there is a new plywood fence and Common Ground's Street Outreach Program (funded by the City's Department of Homeless Services) arranged for a shelter placement and services for the homeless veteran. The property will be developed as part of an HPD affordable housing program.
Project Type: Existing building/renovation
Project Description: Rehabilitation of a 2 family home
Status: Open pit, no activity
UPDATE: DOB adds to "Stalled Sites" list for extra monitoring: 2/16/2010
Background: As a result of a tax foreclosure, the City took possesion of this 1-family home in 1990. In 2005, Just Homes LLC, a small developer, bought this property from the City and the Community Preservation Corporation as part of an affordable housing program. Plans for renovation and expansion of the building were approved in 2005 and amended in 2007, but there is no indication of a demolition permit. The building was either demolished or decayed, and all that remains are a pit with partial cement walls and a stoop that leads to nowhere.
Until recently, there was no construction fence, so access was open. A homeless veteran has been living in the pit. The Land Disposition Agreement between the City and Just Homes states the terms for default, which include failure to complete construction within a reasonable time period. There are 24 outstanding violations, but the site is not formally classified by the DOB as Stalled.
Councilmember Lander's office intervened, and now there is a new plywood fence and Common Ground's Street Outreach Program (funded by the City's Department of Homeless Services) arranged for a shelter placement and services for the homeless veteran. The property will be developed as part of an HPD affordable housing program.
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That lot is a crying shame - there was an existing house there in pretty decent condition (at least the facade was fine). I don't even remember seeing the 'roof open' sign on it. I called the city to ask about it once, and they told me there was no way to acquire the house - it was sold to a developer. The developer knocked it down and did nothing with it.
ReplyDeleteThe 'vet' living there is a crackhead homeless guy; pretending to be a vet is his racket (you'll also see him pretending to have 1 arm). The block was pretty much ruined by this house, and it just gets worse. Lots of families with small children on the block; not good. Since the city OWNED it before whatever sweetheart deal they undertook with the non-developer maybe they can take care of it?