Is Lightstone Group Tearing Down Gowanus Building On Development Site Without Proper Permits?

photo credit:Jeff Anzulewicz

Meanwhile, back in Gowanus...
I am still in France but have received a string of emails from Gowanus residents reporting that workers began tearing down the roof of an old brick building at 363-365 Bond Street, between 1st and 2nd Street yesterday. The building is located on the site of the 700-unit, 12 story Lightstone Group development.

According to reports, a crew of about 25 men with pick axes and saws started demolishing the rooftop of the building yesterday afternoon. Gowanus residents became concerned when they realized that no permits had been posted. More troubling was the fact that no asbestos monitoring equipment was present on site and the crew did not wear any protective gear.

Residents contacted Councilman Brad Lander's office and Community Board 6 to ask that the work be done according to local laws, with proper permits, and proper protections for workers and the local community. They also placed several calls to 311. Inspectors came out to the site later in the day and work stopped yesterday afternoon at about 2 pm.
Today, a crew was back building a plywood fence around part of the building. In addition, red and yellow caution tape with the words "Danger-Asbestos" has been put up.
NYC Department of Buildings has recorded a 'pre-filing' for the site on its web site. A permit for a plywood fence has also been recorded. There is, however, no sign of a demolition permit.

In addition, Lightstone has applied for the NY State  Department of Environmental Conservation Brownfield Cleanup Program. The program requires that any action on the site be first approved by the agency. It is likely that demolition work would also need to be approved.

This not a very good start for Lightstone Group and its highly contentious project.  Stay tuned for more...it's bound to be a long hot summer in Gowanus.

'We Are Gowanus' Members Attend Community Board 6 Meeting To Express Concerns About Proposed Rock & Roll Playhouse In Gowanus

We Are Gowanus member  Katya Jestin addressing Community Board 6 on Wednesday night.

 Katya Jestin of We Are Gowanus

 Members of We Are Gowanus in the audience

At this month's Community Board 6's general meeting, which was held this past Wednesday, members of We Are Gowanus (WAG) took the opportunity to express concern about Peter Shapiro's proposed Rock And Roll Playhouse (RRPH), which is slated to open in Gowanus later this year.

In anticipation of the developer coming before Community Board 6's Permits and Licenses Committee to seek a full liquor license for his proposed venue, WAG wanted to make sure that CB6 members  were aware of issues regarding the conversion of the 6,570 SF building at 280 Bond Street between Sackett and Degraw Street that will house the Playhouse.

According to its web site, Rock and Roll Playhouse will offer "family friendly programming during the day, as well as programming for adults, such as educational talks, jazz and theatrical performances in the evenings."

Speaking for WAG,  Katya Jestin explained that the development is totally incongruous with the existing R6B zoning.  Furthermore, she pointed out that Peter Shapiro's insistence that the Rock and Roll Playhouse will be a theatre around children's programing is inconsistent with what he told members of WAG.

At a meeting in early May with homeowners whose property abuts the warehouse, Shapiro spoke of the evening programing in terms of a late night music venue featuring jazz and possibly other music seven days a week for those 21 and older. It would also feature a full bar with a last call around 1:30 AM, 2 AM on week-ends.

WAG is suggesting the disharmony between what Shapiro said to WAG, what the DOB plans show, and what he is saying to the public can be explained by the fact that the impresario's pitch  of a day time children' space is "a supterfuge meant to dull community opposition so that his liquor license and building modifications sail through city bureaucracy."

"We ask all of you to please keep in mind all the facts, to examine this closely, and to consider what we have told you when he comes before you," Katya Jesting told the Board.