And then, work stopped again. A quick search on the Department of Building's web site indicated that a fine and stop work order were issued at the end of 2016 for "failure to notify DOB within 24-48 hours of the start of excavation." and for 'failure to safeguard all persons and property" as well as " doing damage to the adjacent building."
It is interesting to note that the stop-work-order has not been posted on the construction fence.
Obviously, it will take a while longer before the new building is completed.
Incidentally, the new tenant, Crunch Fitness, has already been announced.
Kind of a shame that after all of these years it will be only a commercial space, and kind of a useless one at that (there are already a zillion gyms in the area, including a Crunch downtown). That's a pretty big footprint to exclude residential space on upper stories at least.
ReplyDeleteAnd there's the other new development on Court and Bergen that will be entirely commercial. No idea what company can afford that space.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for this update. I've been wondering what has been happening on this corner. I'm curious why that trailer remains on the sidewalk if there's a stop work order. I find the trailer to be a safety risk. It relegates pedestrians to walking on the slippery metal grate and severely limits visibility. Also, there seem to be stray cats residing on the site and I often find them scurrying about in the early morning.
ReplyDeleteThe building is characterless and ugly. I would be surprised if Chrunch stuck around. As far as the cats go that good to know. Perhaps cat advocates can do a trap and release on the site. As sure as building resumes most likely they will scatter. Believe it or not the cats keep the rats down without, obviously, using poison. I have some beautiful old tiles salvaged from this place when the buildings first went down. Such a bunch of baffoons. This building could be so much more than an ugly warehouse for spin classes.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know why stalled building projects like this one and a couple more on Degraw street are allowed to keep No Parking signs in place even though there is no reason for them since there has been no work for months or even years on the sites. Similarly, I would like to know why there are still No Parking signs in front of the funeral parlor on Sackett closed months ago.
ReplyDeleteI'm a former health club owner and my fellow neighbors should be happy about Crunch coming to Smith Street because they should have about 500 to 700 people a day working out there which means many additional potential customers for the struggling businesses on Smith Street and it doesn't compete with any of those businesses. And it's not a bank, drugstore, nail salon.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous 9:29 - Crunch? Seriously? That puts the neighborhood with the Y on Atlantic, NY Sports Club & Blink all within spitting distance. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteAll of those places are close to Atlantic Ave. For those of us closer to Hamilton, this location for a gym is absolutely welcome. There is very little from bond to union to Hamilton to hicks. Just a small, expensive place on Court. I am happy and can't wait for not to open.
DeleteIt seems like construction is full steam ahead. Are there any updates on when the project might be completed? The idea of a Crunch so close to home is fantastic!
ReplyDelete