The unsightly structures have become an unwelcome part of the city landscape, with critics complaining they have evolved into dark, trash-strewn havens for vagrants and criminals and hurt local businesses who struggle to draw new patrons with their facades concealed by wood and metal. Scaffolding outside 360 Central Park West Stephen Yang The 13-story Harlem building is among thousands issued permits by the city Department of Buildings to erect scaffolding and sidewalk sheds to protect pedestrians from falling debris. But the work never seemed to end - there were another 13 permits issued for additional work at the building through February this year. The city first approved a permit for a 220-foot long “heavy duty sidewalk shed” during “remedial repairs” on April 26, 2006, building department records show. “The city, I think, has actually issued violations on work that has been scoped and sent to them for approval. “We’ve been working on the building,” Berryman said.
After completing $1.2 million in restoration work to comply with Local Law 11, Berryman said the building was struck by lightning, which caused more damage and required more repairs. She said the scaffold remained up so long because of a couple of bad breaks for the building. The 13-story Harlem building is among thousands issued permits by the Department of Buildings to erect scaffolding to protect pedestrians from falling debris. But the work never seemed to end: There were another 13 permits issued for additional work at the building through February this year. The city first approved a permit for a 220-foot-long “heavy duty sidewalk shed” at the address during “remedial repairs” on April 26, 2006, Department of Buildings records show. After completing $1.2 million in restoration work to comply with Local Law 11, the building was struck by lightning, which caused more damage and required more repairs, Berryman said. Nikki Berryman, president of the board of directors for the building, said the scaffold has remained up for so long because of bad luck. “I have always asked my grandmother when are they going to take it down - if they are ever going to take it down.” “I used to climb on the metal poles and do flips,” said Davis, a college student. The sheds there have been up since April 2006. “I can’t picture this building without it there,” said Kaniesha Davis, 21, who grew up at 409 Edgecombe Ave., which is the building with New York’s longest-standing work scaffolding. It’s driving the people who have to live near the scaffolds crazy.
The city says it’s been cracking down, but it’s barely put a dent on the unpopular structures, which just continue to gather trash and rodents. Another nearby on 115th Street has had one up for nearly 12 years.Įven the Department of Buildings’ own office on Broadway is a culprit, as it has had scaffolding up since 2008.
One building on Edgecombe Avenue in Harlem has had the same work scaffolding up for more than 13 years. Sick of the sidewalk sheds in your neighborhood? Some areas have been looking at the same eye sores since before smartphones came out. How the scourge of scaffolding is ruining New York City: Devine
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