Salvation on MacDonough Street?
Have the preservation gods shined their light on 329 and 331 MacDonough Street? For a while there, with the Department of Buildings pushing for demolition, things were looking pretty bleak. This morning, however, concrete trucks and other heavy equipment showed up on site, prompting the tipster who sent this photo in to comment, “Things look…
Have the preservation gods shined their light on 329 and 331 MacDonough Street? For a while there, with the Department of Buildings pushing for demolition, things were looking pretty bleak. This morning, however, concrete trucks and other heavy equipment showed up on site, prompting the tipster who sent this photo in to comment, “Things look promising.” Anyone heard anything definitive? We have a call into DOB and should have some more official word later on today.
Stay of Execution on MacDonough Street [Brownstoner]
MacDonough Street Update 1/25/10 [Brownstoner]
Wall Collapse, Vacate Order, Maybe Demo on MacDonough [Brownstoner]
Really uplifting news. (ooh pun.)
what legion said!!!!
great news everyone,
This story really shows a concerted effort of community activism, landmarks preservationists and interactive blogging. A new model for community cohesiveness and action.
Best of all, people’s homes and memories aren’t being carted away in a 30 yard truck!
Would love to see progress pics if the people who sent you this one could update. Sorry that I’m out of town and will miss the progress.
They may be prepping the homes for a house lift. Very big job that frequently destroys the wallboard/plaster on interior walls but that’s certainly better than a sinking or crumbling foundation.
It’s a cool process with huge hydraulics and heavy equipment, very hair-on-the-chest.
excellent news!
Too true, Minard! As I said in the old thread, had not Mr. Providence gone to court to get the stay (TRO) these buildings would already be gone because the DOB refused to even meet with him prior to him instituting the court action. I guess the DOB have their job to do, and it doesnt always coincide with preserving possibly salvagable buildings.
At least now the buildings have a chance. I am now assuming that concrete pouring signifies that the DOB has seen at least the outline of a repair plan that they approve of, so I’m taking these developments as a positive sign.
Fantastic!!!!!!
Thank goodness! The houses are not out of the woods yet but this is an awfully good sign. Now DOB is somewhat invested in saving them rather than razing them.
For anyone caught in this situation with DOB remember the three magic words: “temporary restraining order.”
If it had not been for such a court order, both houses would have been torn down last weekend and today the DOB would perhaps be wondering whether the adjacent houses
should also be taken down.