From the NY Times:In their canvas of the building at 2033 86th Street in Bensonhurst, which was badly damaged but not gutted in the fire Jan. 30, investigators from the Buildings Department found that apartments on the second and third floor were illegally subdivided, including one two-bedroom apartment on the third floor that had been converted into four separate units.
Evidence of illegal conversion turned up by the investigators included the kinds of locks on the doors and differing ages of wood, Mr. Sclafani said. Fire officials said that at least 18 people lived in the two floors of apartments above a sushi restaurant.
The Buildings Department was to issue violations Friday evening to the company that owns the building, 20-35 86th Street Realty, for illegally increasing occupancy, working without a permit, and failure to provide two means of egress, Mr. Sclafani said. Each violation carries a maximum fine of $25,000.
Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri said in a statement: “The illegal subdivisions in this building should have never been built. Property owners must understand they have a responsibility to maintain their property in a safe manner, and an illegal conversion can put people’s lives in serious danger. Putting a profit ahead of public safety is unacceptable.”
That's true, Mr. LiMandri, although your boss, Bloomturd, doesn't seem to understand that.
How did it come to pass that your inspectors caught wind of something amiss that this address back in 2008, but found upon inspection in 2009 that there was no illegal conversion?
Can't wait for the explanation on that one. Not that anyone in the media has bothered to ask...
9 comments:
D.O.B. inspector(badge #2374) belongs in jail immediately.
the CM on the Buildings committee has to put the above into n.y.c. law a.s.a.p.
QC, isn't the address that you asked about, 20-33, a different building than the one that had the actual fire?
Property owners must understand they have a responsibility to maintain their property in a safe manner, and an illegal conversion can put people’s lives in serious danger. Putting a profit ahead of public safety is unacceptable.”
I am simply repeating the question to the City - why do you ignore or sweep under the rug, situations exactly as in the story or that have been complained about? Just as pot holes have a reporting structure that allows a someone who has been injured or property (car) that has been damaged x day after the pot hole has been reported to the city. In the case of illegally converted and reported it should be immediately on the city's responsibility to shut it down by all means of inspection by Fire Dept with immediate Fire Dept warrants to gain access to complaint. Although it sound harsh and the city (we) are on the hook for any liability once logged it beats reading about deaths in these structures. Building and home owners whom illegally convert these building should be heavily fined such as 5k and up for each detail of infractions. This way these folks know not even to begin thinking of modifying their properties to illegal status. The city must uphold safety laws in all structures throughout the city.
why do you ignore or sweep under the rug, situations exactly as in the story or that have been complained about?
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Not just the city, its the media that is doing this.
When we had 8 inches of snow last week the 11 PM news spent 20 minutes on it interviewing kids that it is fun and commuters that it is a bitch to commute and store owners that they have no shovels in stock.
My guess is that in 10 years the news will be replaced for infomercials on stuff like Sham-Wa.
Media Capital of the World My Ass. You get more solid news these days on China and Russis media outlets.
"QC, isn't the address that you asked about, 20-33, a different building than the one that had the actual fire?"
That's the address that had the fire. It's consistent in every past post about it and is the DOB link provided in this post.
I've reported several houses in my neighborhood for being subdivided and housing illegal tenants and nothing has been done. The DOB is responsible for any lives lost.
Perhaps your post should read, "Explain this, Derek!" Former Queens Commish Derek Lee is now Brooklyn's.
Because chasing down "illegal conversions" often turns into uncovering "illegal immigrants" and LORD KNOWS we cant upset those people!!!
Because chasing down "illegal conversions" often turns into uncovering "illegal immigrants" and LORD KNOWS we cant upset those people!!!
So they might as well fine the owners after folks are dead because they are stirring a hornets nest otherwise prior to a deadly incident. After all dead people who were illegal cannot express their outrage of their living conditions in a deathtrap!
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