Lappin Contacts DOB re Eastwood Window Project

The Office of NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin (District 5 – D) has received a number of calls regarding the current Eastwood window project with respect to safety concerns where no construction sheds have been constructed.

According to Ms. Sarah Resnick Attia, Community Liaison for the Council Member, Ms. Lappin’s office has contacted DOB to look into the issue and has also spoken with Mr. Geofrrey Fishman, the managing g agent at Urban American to let him know that several constituents have filed complaints with the Council Member’s office regarding concerns at the site.

Window Replacement Today – Injury Lawsuits Tomorrow?

It appears that Urban American has begun its window replacement program in the Eastwood complex on Roosevelt Island starting with units in 510 Main Street which is a great thing for tenants.

Unfortunately cars and pedestrians passing Eastwood along Main Street may be in possible danger. It appears that no scaffolding or sheds are being erected to prevent falling glass or other objects while the windows are being replaced from inside the units.

It is unclear to this blogger what the law requires as I have been informed that the law may not require scaffolding or sheds when the work is being done from inside the building and not from the outside but it would just seem for the safety of all that such precautions would be warranted. I expect that RIOC would have warned Urban America. I would expect that City law prevails in this regard.

According to a 311 operator contacted this evening if there is construction that individuals feel would be dangerous they can contact 311 and ask for a DOB representative to file a complaint as window replacements would constitute construction in this regard.

Riverwalk Signage Simply Unneighborly or Possibly Illegal ?

The folks at Hudson Related have in the last few days erected a new sign advertising the Riverwalk complex on Roosevelt Island. My question is whether the signage is just unneighborly as it is too large for the area and we have to see it each time we take the Tram onto the island or does it cross the line and is actually illegal?

New York City via the Department of Buildings defines that signage that is classified as advertising is illegal if placed upon scaffolding. You may recall the 2006 case , reported by the NY Times, where a six story billboard was placed on scaffolding that was advertising two giant Scotch bottles directly across from the New York Public Library. Approximately one year ago the DOB started a campaign against illegal ads and signage placed upon buildings including scaffolding. Would this sign fall under that campaign?

Per the DOB:

What is an Advertising Sign?
>A sign that directs attention to goods and services at a location other than the premises where the sign is located. These signs are only permitted in certain zoning districts throughout the city.

What is NOT an Advertising Sign?
>A sign that directs attention to a business at the same location as the sign. A non-commercial sign unrelated to any commercial business.

Based on these definitions the oversized Riverwalk signage may not be illegal as it is drawing attention to the availability of apartments at that location and not products or services provided elsewhere. But then again it is pointing to a commercial enterprise?

It may not be illegal but it is certainly an eyesore and at 5 stories high quite unneighborly. Maybe I am being a tad melodramatic as the sign is just that ... a sign.