On the anniversary of the March 2008 crane crash, little has improved for the devastated locals.
First published in Our Town
March 2009
“Now that everything else is shut, we’re the only reason to cross the street.”
These are the words of Ken Sofer, owner of the restaurant chain, Blockheads, which reopened their store on 2nd Avenue only five weeks after the crane accident on 2nd Avenue and 51st Street. On the anniversary of the March 2008 crash, the 18 story concrete skeleton is an eerie tribute to the fateful event that killed seven people and injured many more. But it is at ground level that the effect of the crash is most noticeable. There, scaffolding, empty lots, and unlit storefronts line the avenue.
A brief review of the Department of Buildings website does not give optimistic reading. Rite Aid, at 956 2nd Avenue, has six permits to repair structural damage – the latest issued on October 2nd, 2008 – but none to remodel or refurbish, and a “partial vacate” order still exists. The pharmaceutical company does not plan to reopen their store. Nearby, La Moll Cleaners and Ceviche Bar, neighbors at 944 and 946 2nd Avenue, have no permits for repairs listed, twelve months on from the crash. Brightly colored shirts still hang in the cleaner’s window, waiting for a year now to be picked up.
A little further north, the 948 2nd Avenue construction site had a permit issued to them on September 25, 2008 for “foundation work,” which expired on March 7th of this year. The foundation is now a large hole in the ground, and does not look finished. There is a strong indication that construction will resume, however, as on December 28th the Menolly Group, responsible for part of the building boom in Dublin, paid $92 million dollars for a mortgage there. Blockheads, only one building north of them, sits shrouded underneath part of 948’s scaffolding.
Sofer says there has been little recent work by his neighbors, and is currently looking into a way in which he can force them to remove the scaffolding, which is a further impediment to business on an already deserted block. But despite these problems, the cheerful-sounding “chief block head,” Sofer, does have reason to be happy, as business there has returned to 2008 levels. “I think it has something to do with our $3 martinis,” he said, “which people need at the moment. All our other stores have better numbers than last year’s.”
Two still-damaged brownstones, 306 and 308 50th Street, were the unlucky targets for a portion of the crane that flew off during the crash, opposite the building that was entirely crushed. Neither are currently lived in, and a “full vacate” still exists on 306. In April and May of last year, however, the owner of 306, Jonathan Levine, was issued permits to repair and remodel the house. And according to Cleanthis Meimaroglou, the Greek plumber working at 308, he received a permit to work on the premises as recently as March 5th.
These residences and commercial spaces, despite their damage, are still standing, and the direction they need to take to improve is clear. Less certain, however, is the future of 301 E 51st Street, the building from which the crane became unfastened. In contradiction with the Turtle Bay’s zoning laws, the original design for the building was a dozen floors too high, and eight feet too far from the avenue. To continue, James Kennelly, the developer in charge of its construction, will have to submit a new, edited proposal to the Board of Standards and Appeals. Turtle Bay Association vice president, Bruce Silberblatt, said Kennelly showed members of the TBA and Community Board Six a revised plan – 31 stories on a seven story base – which met with their approval.
If the BSA, which hasn’t yet received a new proposal, refuses to grant Kennelly a variance for their zoning infractions, he will have to begin the costly and dangerous procedure of raising the current structure and starting again. However, on July 25th, Arbor Realty Trust, Kennelly’s lender, filed for foreclosure against Kennelly Development for failure to pay over $70 million dollars in overdue funds. Although they declined to comment on the status of the foreclosure, Arbor Realty Trust said they are “working towards a resolution.” Michael McKeon, a spokesperson for the developer, declined to comment.
Some members of the community are clear about what must be done. Kandig Jim, sitting alone in his news store at 300 E. 50th Street, said they should “tear it down.” This sentiment is repeated by Christine Salemi, a resident of 311 E 50th Street who said that due to “snowballing stress levels” after the accident, she lost her job and has “given up.” Whatever happens, progress needs to be made. “The community doesn’t want this eyesore anymore,” said councilmember Jessica Lappin. “And whoever owns the site should do something for the community, like build a school or a park, for example. We’ve suffered a lot.”