Dumbo NYC

Notes from the DUMBO, Brooklyn NY neighborhood


NY Times Cityroom Prompts 215 Plymouth Stop Work Order

July 27th, 2007


 (Photo: David W. Dunlap/The New York Times)

The NY Times Cityroom blog reported that the owner of 215 Plymouth Street building were trying to get a step ahead of regulation by doing facade work before the historic district is formally established by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The vigilant Julia Ryan, a member of the steering committee of the Dumbo Neighborhood Association, called the NY Times reporter to document the illegal work on the building. A permit was not issued by the city.

At 3:45, the city inspector issued a stop-work order to the Sheva Realty Corporation, the owner of 215 Plymouth Street, charging “work without permit at first floor”; in particular, “bricks being removed to increase window and door openings.”

Some areas where old Dumbo industrial buildings are located are still like the wild West. Landmarking issues aside, building owners need to work under the laws and obtain the proper permits before working on their buildings. We’ll be watching.

{A Wall Is Torn Down in Dumbo, Prompting the City to Halt Work, 27July2007, Cityroom}

Filed in Plymouth Street, Real Estate at 2:07 pm
Comments
  • Kips
    You should know that some developers are above the law. No need for permits until someone notices.
  • MYOB
    So according to the dumbonyc website, painting on a brick wall you don't own is art, but demolishing a brick wall you do own is wrecking the neighborhood. What's Julia Ryan's opinion of graffiti artwork over her cherished hand painted signs?
  • savedumbo
    Julia you are awesome. Don't let them win.
  • whocares
    It must be nice to have so much free time...

    This building is so remarkable. Thank you, O Wise Masterful Julia, for "saving" it from ridiculous facade improvements.
  • Resident
    No absolute proof, but I think that is a Guttman building. His trademark for years has been to paint the street level portion of the buildings he owns with red paint.
    Not sure why - I guess to remember which ones he owns at a glance. Anyway, this building has the mark.
  • hmmm.
    guttman is a safe bet.
    if you can't burn it down...do some quickie illegal construction.
    anyone know if he has all the necessary permits for all the retail he's putting in at 155 water aka 140 plymouth etc? lots of new 'storefronts' popping up there.
  • shumera matashaki
    It takes great determination and willpower to bring attention to illegal instigations of 'construction' (a.k.a. 'demolition') by the well-known outlaws Guttman and Walentas. As anyone who may live near (or care about) these historical buildings and happen to witness interior walls being torn down thru the morning sunlight and illegal trespassing by workers in the dark hours of night, there is great despair and panic that overcomes the memories of DUMBO being raided every single day without any system protection to maintain the integrity of America's past. Until this happens on your own street and until you are personally affected, please show support for those people who care enough about what is going on and who take their own time to step into the shoes of David vs. Goliath. It ain't easy.
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