With the above visual proof (thanks for the pic, Babs), it's safe to say that the rehab at 1860 Bedford, the resiliently derelict mansion at the corner of Midwood, has begun in earnest. New permits have been posted, and a longtime down-the-block neighbor confirms that the owner's intention is for a full restoration. Currently, I've noticed that the corner acts as a gathering ground for neighborhood parents awaiting the return of their shorties from school, as a City school bus stops at this corner. Here's hoping the owner's financing holds out...this beauty deserves its second act.
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Well I finally did my homework here. According to ACRIS, the property is still owned by the same long-term owners who let it get this bad. No new permits have been issued beyond what was discussed earlier on this site (per DoB BIS), and there are still one outstanding landmark violation and 2 other DoB violations that will need to be cleared before the property can be sold (even though the two DoB ECB violations have been "written off" - that doesn't mean that they've gone away, just that they've stopped trying to chase down the owners. Title can't change hands, however, until all outstanding violations are cleared.) My guess from all this is that the owners have finally yielded to Landmarks and neighborhood pressure and given up their quixotic dream of turning the space into a medical center, focussing instead on a renovation and flip. We'll see what the quality of those renovations will be, and I'll try to get a closer look at those posted permits, too.
I'm not impressed or delighted. I witnessed last week them bagging up trash and debris and dumping it illegally it at the corner trash can on Bedford. About a dozen contractor bags. Klassy. Normally one gets a dumpster for construction garbage. Not these folks. My theory -- I think this owner is attempting to make more profit by doing the bare minimum to get the house to the condition for which a buyer can get a regular mortgage instead of having to pay all cash then get a construction loan to renovate, as required with a shell.
Gotta say I probably agree agree with you on that one anonymous - and, please, report anyone you see illegally dumping. I also noticed that among the posted permits there is not one from the LPC, not even a certificate of no effect, so it's another complaint form I'll be sending in. You can get them on the LPC's website - far more effective than dealing with 311: http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/forms/violation_form.pdf
I'm not in the Manor, but I think y'all should sic Ben Edwards on these guys and talk turkey. If the much vaunted LMA is worth its salt, it should really be on top of stuff like this. Not that I care so much about the rules, but we shouldn't have to talk behind these neighbors back like this. I learned my lesson w/ Peppa's! Gnarly smoke mongers that they are...:)
For years everyone was complaining about the eyesore in our neighborhood. We should just let the owner do whatever is necessary to fix the building up to sell and not put any obstacles in his way. When and if there are new owners, we can then be vigilant when it comes to the renovation and use of the house.
The "much vaunted" LMA really IS "on top" of this. Unfortunately, I'm sorry to say that I cant disclose anything more at this time so you'll have to take my word for this [or not--your choice :-)}.
Thanks for clearing that up, Bob Marvin. I think what most residents don't realize is that LMA is a private organization and really does not have to disclose any information on any activity that directly involves an individual or homeowner in LM, at least not without the owner's permission. At any rate, I AM thrilled that 1860 is finally getting some well needed work - keeping all ten crossed!
Sure LMA is private - we're all aware of that. However, all the laws this landowner is flaunting are public. There is also a standard of decency and public safety when it comes to maintaining property. I'm thinking now also of 205 Parkside and the bombed out building on Flatbush near, what is it, Rutland? Letting property rot has a demoralizing and destabilizing influence on a neighborhood as well. What happened in the late 1960s to early '80s shouldn't be allowed to happen again. So I'm glad to hear that LMA is "on it." But you shouldn't be surprised when members of the "public" take an interest as well.
You can add 146 Sterling St to your list if willfully-neglected area buildings. That building's owner has deliberately let it deteriorate to the point that the back wall of the house is falling off and compromising the structural integrity of surrounding houses (I pity whoever just paid over $600K for a house two doors down - until the situation @ 146 is addressed their house's foundation won't be stabilized either). However, personal property rights being what they are in this country (unless, of course, your name is Bruce Ratner), it is extremely hard to take action of any sort against a homeowner whose mortgage and tax payments are up-to-date. Landmark violations only come into play when owners try to sell; otherwise they can hang out on the books for years. The best is to get a Stop Work Order from the DoB for illegal construction, but if there's nothing going on there's nothing to stop. Demolition by willfull neglect lawsuits take forever and cost the city a lot of money, but I know the Sterling II block association is working with the LPC to get one going here (we aren't bound by the LMA's code of omertà ). Intense and continued PUBLIC pressure is what makes City agencies act.
Speaking of flouting public laws and causing unsafe conditions, has anyone noticed that the near-derelict house at 1914 Bedford Ave on the NW corner of Fenimore seems to now be getting its electricity from the lamppost on the corner? Looks like they've broken into the electrical works in the base, attached some electric cords, which they've wrapped around the pole secured by a variety of miscellaneous junk (including what looks to be a strip of molding, no doubt from the interior of the house) and run a cable into their house. I've reported this and sent pictures to 311, who initially transferred me to 911, who took a report but, predictably, did nothing (I was stunned that the 311 operator transferred me there), and also to Con Ed. It's just a matter of time before there's an electrical fire there, with loss of a landmark house the best-case scenario, assuming the residents aren't home/manage to escape.
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