Second Circuit affirms Park Avenue church ruling

District court stopped Buildings from revoking church’s catering permit. The Third Church of Christ, Scientist, located at Park Avenue and 63rd Street in Manhattan, had a dwindling congregation, and its 80-yearold building was in need of major repairs. In order to avoid selling the building, Third Church agreed to allow Rose Group Park Avenue LLC to cater private events at the church. In exchange, Rose Group would pay for Third Church’s operating expenses and capital … <Read More>


NOV for falling glass at One Bryant Park upheld

The Bank of America Tower at One Bryant

Board found that prior corrected violations justified increased penalty for glass panel broken by snapped cable. On December 10, 2008 a glass panel fell from the 50th floor of One Bryant Park in Midtown, Manhattan after being struck by a steel safety netting cable. Buildings issued a notice of violation to the contractor, Tishman Construction Corporation, for failing to safeguard persons and property while working on … <Read More>


ECB dismissed charge against architect

Board found that Buildings retroactively applied building code provision after architect allegedly self-certified non-conforming plans. In 2006, architect David Millner submitted to Buildings self-certified alteration plans depicting the replacement of a 69 sq.ft. rear deck and the enlargement of a basement bathroom in a three-story home built in the 1930s at 1-69 Beach 91st Street in Rockaway Beach, Queens. Buildings audited the plans and in February 2010 issued Millner a notice of violation for submitting … <Read More>


EDC issues RFEI for redevelopment of bakery complex

City is in process of reclaiming property after Citarella failed to fully develop site. The City’s Economic Development Corporation issued a request for expressions of interest for the purchase, redevelopment, and rehabilitation of the former Taystee Bakery complex on West 125th and West 126th Street between Amsterdam and Morningside Avenues in West Harlem.

The 134,000 sq.ft. complex includes an occupied through-block building at 461 West 125th Street and five vacant buildings at 426 through 458 … <Read More>


EDC seeks developer for Bush Terminal Complex site

Waterfront site is occupied by three buildings that EDC will demolish prior to execution of ground lease. On November 1, 2010, the City’s Economic Development Corporation issued a request for proposals seeking developers to lease and redevelop a 130,000 sq.ft. portion of the Bush Terminal Complex along the Gowanus Bay in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The redevelopment site is generally bounded by 44th and 47th Streets to the north and south and is adjacent to … <Read More>


Ladies’ Mile addition approved on fourth try

Landmarks approved two-story addition for store-and-loft building after rejecting three previous designs. On November 16, 2010, Landmarks unanimously approved a revised design for a two-story addition to a six-story store-and-loft building at 33 West 19th Street in the Ladies’ Mile historic district.

The Morris Adjmi- designed project went through several iterations which Landmarks deemed too large and too visible. The owner’s initial five-story proposal featured a translucent metal mesh that covered a setback facade. A … <Read More>