http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CGNA/message/3827 and later at Gowanus Lounge in a comment to as story today on 170 Smith Street:
Today at 160-170 Smith Street the building owner was doing work inside
the building without a permit. An MTA staff member recognized a
problem with the structure and called DOB. The site was shut down; DOB
and FDNY were on site......(edit)....Thanks, Tom Gray, District Director, City Council Member Bill de Blasio.
(for the rest see our CORD newsletter) By the way, the Office of Emergency Management was there as well!
CORD would like to add the following important info:
There are several buildings along the Smith Street corridor that appear to be bowed, though none as severely as 170 Smith---given the amount of construction projects in our area lately, combined with the non-stop subway service rumbling below Smith Street----perhaps it would be a good idea for the Department of Buildings and the MTA/NYCTA to join forces in a walk by, observational inspection---their trained-eyes, each looking for the types of structural weaknesses that are their individual areas of expertise, would surely be capable of ascertaining any potentially dangerous situations and propel them to take the appropriate action ---at the very least, both agencies could confidently publicly express that we may walk along Smith Street and utilize the subway system, with no trepidation because they have gone that extra mile to insure our safety and well-being. The building located at 170 Smith Street was, observed, responded to and the problem well on its way to being resolved.That's great and it is what a city of this size needs and expects of its agencies and officials. In light of all the terrible incidents related to construction going on all over the city lately, doesn't it just make sense to exercise an ounce of precaution?
CG CORD
