This has been a tragic year so far in the construction world of New York City. While our city has always been building itself and accidents have been happening since someone had the bright idea to build on Manhatta, it has gotten out of control recently. The problems have escalated because the DoB has been letting developers get away with whatever they want. The honor system may work at Harvard, but I wouldn't have tried it in the NYC construction industry. Apparently it has taken this long for them to realize it too.
From The Gothamist:
The Department of Buildings has allowed architects and engineers to "self-certify" their plans and alterations, to help with getting the tens of thousands of buildings pending permits fast-tracked. But after recent outcry, the DOB has re-reviewed many plans, finding over 80% are "plagued with zoning violations."According to the Post, the DOB usually "randomly reviews 20 percent of self-certified plans," but with the building boom (especially in Brooklyn), more funds were given to allow the DOB to audit plans. Six hundred sixty-two plans from September 17, 2007 through January 31, 2008 were looked at, and 556 earned "objections" from the Professional Certification Review and Audit Team."
State Assemblyman James Bennan said, "It's an open door for non-compliance with the Building Code and Zoning Resolution."
And now it is time to shut that door and keep it closed. While the DoB must shoulder the majority of the blame here, I can't but help to point the finger in Mayor Bloomberg's direction. Remember, he is the one who is responsible to fund city agencies. He is the one responsible for rewriting the zoning laws in the city that triggered this building boom. He is the one responsible for making sure that safety is of the utmost concern throughout the city and as we shamefully saw at the Trump SoHo, Turtle Bay site and others, that didn't happen.
Now as long as we do not forget the consequences of underfunding and safety standards that were thrown in the gutter, then perhaps we can start anew with smarter Administrators that will make sure that our priorities are kept in order.
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