MacDonough Street Update
Following the party wall collapse and subsequent evacuation of 329 and 331 MacDonough Street in Bed Stuy early Wednesday morning, a hearing was held on Friday afternoon to decide whether both brownstones needed to be demolished as the Department of Buildings had initially indicated. The judge ended up ruling that the DOB review the situation…
Following the party wall collapse and subsequent evacuation of 329 and 331 MacDonough Street in Bed Stuy early Wednesday morning, a hearing was held on Friday afternoon to decide whether both brownstones needed to be demolished as the Department of Buildings had initially indicated. The judge ended up ruling that the DOB review the situation over the weekend with outside engineers to determine whether destroying the historic structures was in fact the only course of action. A source on the block we heard from told us that four out of the five engineers on site Saturday came out in favor of preserving the buildings, a view which will surely be presented to the judge at today’s follow-up hearing but will likely be resisted by DOB. “It’s seriously @$%^ed up!” wrote one reader who lives down the street. “This will be like the block losing its two front teeth.” The hearing will be held at 360 Adams Street, Room 438 at 2:30 pm; tenants (two of whom are shown above with some of the belongings DOB employees retrieved for them on Saturday) and block members are encouraging as many people to turn out as possible. If you would like more information about the situation, please contact Suzette Hunte at 917.721.7258 or Krystal Codett at 347.489.6551.
Wall Collapse, Vacate Order, Maybe Demo on MacDonough [Brownstoner]
Brooklyn Renovation Leaves 8 Residents Homeless [NY Daily News]
City Rushing Surprise Demolition [Brooklyn Eagle]
That’s great news Minard. I hope this gets resolved quickly, since obviously the buildings need to be shored up as soon as possible.
I did also get a call back from Marty Markowitz office. His community rep let me know that she was there on Friday and would be at the hearing again today. She said they are very concerned about what happens and she is monitoring it for the BP. I was impressed with the call back. Hope it means they are vested in trying to save the buildings if possible.
Thanks, Minard.
Thank you for the update.
Goodness, I hope they have enough time and this all works out.
I heard the judge extended the stay until Wednesday. that is a huge victory for the community. the owner and his engineer have to step up to the plate and provide the DOB with the detailed plan they require. At this point the court has shown its inclination to save the house. It is now in the owner’s hands.
So did I. I hope it’s going well for them in court. Was not able to go.
I got the same response from Emily.
Well, that’s a bit better. I suspect there IS pressure being applied. Still, it was a pretty typical CYA response.
I think the pressure helps. I just got back the same email. It is a step up form “our general counsel suggests you contact the DOB”
I want everyone to be safe, but I also want the city to consider alternatives to destroying the buildings and not just jump to the easiest cheapest course of action.
Keeping fingers crossed that this all has a Happy, Safe Ending.
Latest from Emily Rich:
Hello,
Thank you for your message. The Landmarks Preservation Commission is aware of the unfortunate situation at 329 and 331 MacDonough Street in the Stuyvesant Heights Historic District. Members of our staff have visited the site, and are communicating extensively with the Department of Buildings about these important buildings. Under the Landmarks Law, no Landmarks approval is needed for measures the Department of Buildings must take to address public safety issues. We are advocating for saving as much of the buildings as is safely possible, while deferring to the Department’s engineering knowledge and experience in public safety matters. Landmarks and Buildings have a long history of working together to save historic buildings, and this case is no exception.
Regards,
Emily Rich
Public Information Officer