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.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
75 Columbia Street, Columbia Waterfront District
(NE corner of Columbia and Warren)Blog reader addition!
Project Type: New Building
Project Description: Demo of commercial building; Construction of a 6 story 10 unit residential building
Status: Vacant lot, partially excavated
Background: On this corner lot, a one-story warehouse – vacant since at least 2006 – was bought for demolition and the construction of a new residential condo building. Planning began in 2007/2008, with demolition permits approved in January 2008 and underway later in the year.
On 9/15/2008, a Stop Work Order was issued during the demolition phase, as inspectors reported that there were no detailed plans for shoring the walls of the excavation so it wouldn’t damage an adjacent building. Guardrails were also not present to protect workers from the excavation. Limited work was permitted to proceed to install safety equipment.
In November 2008, the contractor presented amended plans, and guardrails were installed. The site was determined to be in safe condition and the SWO was rescinded.
The Carroll Gardens/Columbia Waterfront Contextual Rezoning, which was in development at this time, may have allowed for the height but not the bulk. The building plan was for a 6 story, nearly 20,000 sf building, with a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of about 3.7. The maximum FAR under the new zoning is 3.0. Some other nearby developments were also stopped by the rezoning, though a couple of large ones had progressed far enough that they were allowed to proceed with plans that would have otherwise been out of compliance. This site had not advanced sufficiently and would have to be modified before proceeding.
Currently there is plywood fencing around the site. Inside, there is a dirt pit from the incomplete excavation, along with lumber, other debris and plant overgrowth. There is no current activity, permits are expired and the site is for sale.
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