Rap-Id-Wrap Building on Bergen St.

in its place? isn't it in the footprint of the huge ratner-stadium-monstrosity?

if not, I imagine it will look a lot like that development of brick buildings on Bergen and Dean. Because no-one builds anything cool anymore.

<rant> The only thing I'm surprised about is that no-one official was prattling about lofts. That's all I ever see now, is ads for lofts. Stupid luxury lofts...even in texas, according to the NYTimes! Suburban lofts...how ridiculous is that... </rant>

Frank wrote: In the Ratner footprint? Don't think so - - not according to a page at Develop Don't Destroy: their map suggests the footprint never touches Bergen Street. Shadows, of course, are different.

correct. not in the Ratner footprint.

WTF. Is it just a free-for-all around here? What kind of redress do the neighbors have (the ones who's walls might have been weakened)? Do they call the DOB, do they just sue the owner? The contractor?

[quote=Danae O]Some of the residents who live on the block called the Dept. of Buildings as soon as the demolition began. DOB confirmed that there was no permit and came down to the site to halt the demolition - but it started up again as soon as DOB left the block.

But didn't I see a DOB demolition permit displayed on the plywood fence in front of the buiding's remains? Or did they just get that after the fact?

Is it somehow easier for a developer to demolish first and just pay a fine? It all seems very strange.

No matter what the case, I can't believe you can take a place down that quickly. I never saw any activity around the building before it was gone. It was there in the morning and in the afternoon poof it was gone!

And I hope that pile of rubble isn't going to sit there too long.

As mentioned before, a permit number was stated on the report that was filed in response to the complaint.

A little further research yields the following permit:
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/WorkPermitDataServlet?requestid=1&allis
n=0001422832&allisn2=&allbin=&s=75D5D333E4122C270007C17CA594C12A

sorry, but in order not to strech out the message, please cut and past the last part of the link.


The confusion may be in that this property has multiple addresses and the people at 311 won't necessarily know that. The permit was issued to 528 Bergen st. and doesn't show up under 532 bergen st. but it does cover both addresses.

With tht building gone, our neighborhood has lost a piece of Swoon artwork (That paste-up guy)...Anyone else know where some others can be found?

ah. I see, not in the footprint. (sighs) One less thing to be angry about. More distinctive architecture bites the dust for no good reason.

Looks like it's being torn down as we speak:
http://www.brooklyndowntownstar.com/StoryDisplay.asp?PID=4&NewsStoryID=2808 (via Brownstoner)

Medusa wrote: WTF. Is it just a free-for-all around here? What kind of redress do the neighbors have (the ones who's walls might have been weakened)? Do they call the DOB, do they just sue the owner? The contractor?

Yeah, this is a free-for-all. It's not just this neighborhood- it's everywhere. And when one neighborhood gets its act together to put some controls over destroying buildings, the problem is often pushed to the next neighborhood. I put up a post about landmarking in Crown Heights- the downside is that this may force more development into Prospect Heights.

I have gotten involved in a new group called the 4 Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance, as well as DDDb. If anyone is bothered by the destruction of this building, you should call, write and visit every city council representative. Or shoot me an email if you want to follow through.