The former Abadi/ Vichar, Inc. building in early 2009
Late 2008Very recently, the New York City Buildings Department has lifted a Stop-Work Order imposed on the Abadi/ Vichar, Inc. Warehouse at 455-459 Smith Street. It is rather surprising, since there are still 15 ECB and 7 DOB active violations.
Besides those violations, there are quite a few reasons why this site should be closely monitored, both by this community and the DOB, but also by the Department Of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
In February 2009, the contractor, Perry Ferrara, had his crews demolish the roof of the building, which once housed 47th Street Photo. But he did so without the knowledge of the Buildings Department and without receiving the proper demolition permit. The roof contained asbestos, so the unsupervised demolition was rather problematic. The demo earned the site a full stop-work order for "hazardous conditions and lack of public protection.
Reason #2
Predictably, the structurally weakened building collapsed on August 11th, 2009. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but quite a few cars were buried under the rubble.
Interestingly enough, when the owners of the cars contacted Mr. Ferrara's insurance company to file their claims, they were told by the claims adjuster that the contractor is not covered for this type of incident. It would appear that he is only insured for interior sheet rock installation, not the demolition of an entire building.
The car owners still need to be reimbursed for damages.
If that is indeed correct, one would suppose that the Buildings Department would have caught the mistake.
Thanks To Nate Kensinger for the use of his photo. I also want to thank the vigilant residents who allowed me to use theirs.
If that is indeed correct, one would suppose that the Buildings Department would have caught the mistake.
Reason # 3
filmed October 6th 2009
The Abadi property has been declared a brownfield site due to the contaminated soil and coal tar left behind by the old Brooklyn Union Gas Company and various other industries. It is also next to the equally toxic six acre Public Place site, which the city intends to turn into a mixed-use development with over 700 units of low and middle -income housing after remediation.
Just this week, the Stop-Work Order was lifted and demolition resumed. Today, crews were digging away at the cement slab of the old building. Whatever is underneath that slab is rather nasty and dangerous stuff. If any special steps had been taken because of the toxicity in the ground, it was not apparent yesterday, when I took the video above. In addition, the site has not been secured. Anyone can slip through the big gap in the fencing.
Given the history of the demolition of Mr. Abadi's property so far, it is important to keep our collective eyes and ears open. The owner and his contractor have been way too negligent so far.
Just this week, the Stop-Work Order was lifted and demolition resumed. Today, crews were digging away at the cement slab of the old building. Whatever is underneath that slab is rather nasty and dangerous stuff. If any special steps had been taken because of the toxicity in the ground, it was not apparent yesterday, when I took the video above. In addition, the site has not been secured. Anyone can slip through the big gap in the fencing.
Given the history of the demolition of Mr. Abadi's property so far, it is important to keep our collective eyes and ears open. The owner and his contractor have been way too negligent so far.
Thanks To Nate Kensinger for the use of his photo. I also want to thank the vigilant residents who allowed me to use theirs.
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