What’s Up At 35 Clay Street?

I asked myself that very question yesterday morning. Clay Street between Manhattan Avenue and Franklin Street is generally not a “happening” place. At least not when it comes to construction activity. Hence why the rather (to use technical jargon) “ginormous” container filled with cinder blocks aroused my curiosity  As did the site from which they originated.

Does this look the least bit interesting? No, not really.

Um, okay, I’m interested now. So the roofing/flashing is to be removed. The photo gracing the beginning of this post attests to this. But here’s the funny thing: I took it at 5:30 in the evening. In the morning, however, I saw men clanking away with their hammers removing excess roofing material.

They were wearing helmets.

And vestiges of caution tape were manifest.

But still, I was rather concerned. To this end I looked up 35 Clay Street on my “smart” phone.* Here’s what I found:

I toggled around active permits to see what, if anything, was applicable.  Not finding anything applicable, I consulted a third party. Our dialogue was (more or less) as follows:

Me: Strange question, but I have a reason for asking it: if/when you have the time, could you look up 35 Clay Street and ascertain if it has any open/valid permits? When I walked by today the roof had been completely torn off and workers were doing something. It did not strike me as being legit. When I looked for permits on the Department of Buildings Information System I couldn’t find any.

T.P., who I should note, was not aware of the abatement notice (because I was not either): 

They have some DOB approved filings and some permits, but it appears that, yes, they have gone beyond the scope of what was approved. there are 2 open violations to that effect:

ECB Violation Number: 34822174Y – WORK W/O A PERMIT. NOTED: ON THE CLAY STREET ELEVATION, DEMOLISHED/CREATED AN OPENING APPROX 10′ X 12′ EXCEEDING 100 SQ FT ON AN EXTERIOR LOAD BEARING WALL AND INSTALLED A GARAGE DOOR DIAGONALLY FROM A FIRE

ECB Violation Number: 34763871M – WORK DOES NOT CONFORM TO APPROVED CONST. DOCUMENTS &/OR APPROVED AMENDMENTS FOR ALT. 2 JOB # 320113578 OF WHICH PERMIT IS ACTIVE & APPLICANT OF RECORD IS REQUESTING A LETTER OF COMPLETION NON-CONFORMING NOTED.

nothing about the roof that I can see.

Me: Well, it no longer has a roof so there’s nothing to see. Save sky perhaps!

And a “for sale” sign to boot!

Quite honestly, I still have more questions. I did not see the “asbestos abatement” which came to pass. And for this reason it was rather disquieting to see a container filled with demolition (remediated?) material left uncovered.

When you see something, Greenpointers, ask something. Call 311. You may or may not get a conclusive answer but forwarding your complaint to our local Community Board and elected officials (or in my case: asking someone in the know and blogging about it) just might. There are no stupid questions. As for stupid answers— that’s another story (and the subject of my next blog post).

*Which is only as smart, if on occasion more intelligent, than its user. As I have learned.