The Latest On 11-15 Old Fulton-demolition on hold until 10/6/

As you may have noticed, there has been some positive action on 11, 13, and 15 Old Fulton Street, thanks to continuing pressure from concerned residents, preservationists, and our elected officials. Contractors have been cleaning out the buildings so as to reduce the load on the structures, under the supervision of the DOB’s forensic engineering division. This will likely continue for the next week or so.

Additionally, we have been informed by Landmarks  that the owner has retained a new engineer to revise the shoring and bracing plans. (Some of you may have seen him taking measurements at the buildings in the last week.) According to the LPC,  it should take one to two weeks before the revised plans are submitted to the DOB and the LPC.  Since progress on the stabilization plan continues, the DOB has approved extending the hold on demolition until September 8th.

Unfortunately, however, this does not mean that these historic structures are out of danger.  The owner submitted structural plans  some 18 months ago, without acting, and was to have revised plans only this spring, to no avail.  While the LPC and DOB assure us they are in contact with the owner, they assured us of the same,  even as the demolition order was issued.  So we continue to suggest  that if you care about this historic district and these buildings, please send an email to the Commissioner of Buildings, Robert LiMandri, the Borough Commissioner, Thomas Fariello, and cc our electeds (see sample email, earlier post here).

UPDATE as of 9/20 :  The latest information from the LPC is that the clean-up of all three buildings is complete, and the owners have indeed filed the amended stabilization  plans with the DOB. The LPC is still awaiting additional reconstruction plans and details, such as the specifications and dimensions on the windows and various other specifics regarding the rear facade of the buildings.  Some of the rear walls will need partial rebuilding and repointing, others will require being completely reconstructed.  Since permits for changes to the rear walls had already been issued by the LPC to the prior owner, this should not cause any added delays or require new permits with the LPC.

The owners will, however, need to complete the rest of the process with the DOB as well, such as filing fees, hiring approved contractors, acquiring liability insurance, and so forth. As a result, the FFLA and our local electeds will continue to monitor the situation over the coming weeks in the hopes we will finally see the stabilization work actually begun and the buildings rehabilitated.