New York City’s Law Department filed criminal charges against a building owner who it alleges paid no heed to warnings about a crumbling facade that killed a two-year-old child last year.
City officials said that Esplanade Venture Partnership and its principal, Alexander Scharf, disregarded city maintenance laws that require the exterior of buildings taller than six stories be regularly inspected by a licensed professional. Scharf could face a fine of up to $25,000, a year in jail, or both.
An engineer, Maqsood Faruqi, also faces charges. The city alleges that he signed off on the building's safety without actually inspecting it.
City officials said that despite receiving a recommendation to repair cracks, Esplanade made only the most basic repairs and ignored the rest of the building's disintegrating exterior. Officials intend for the charges to remind other building owners of their legal responsibility to maintain buildings.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2021
Vancouver, B.C., may delay new zero emissions building standards
Building permit delays may postpone new standards by a year.
Codes and Standards | Jun 17, 2021
Buffalo’s parking reform having noticeable impact on development
Elimination of mandatory parking allotments encourages new projects.
Codes and Standards | Jun 16, 2021
Inconsistent building codes make some states more vulnerable to hurricanes
Florida takes top spot for strongest building code in latest IBHS survey.
Codes and Standards | Jun 15, 2021
Growing housing supply gap will worsen affordability crisis
Supply projected to fall 4.5 million units short in 2022.
Codes and Standards | Jun 15, 2021
Florida will allow virtual inspections, building code enforcement, permit issuance
New law will go into effect on July 1, 2021.
Codes and Standards | Jun 10, 2021
New York City cracks down on construction site safety
Buildings Dept. issues new safety legislation for City Council consideration.
Codes and Standards | Jun 9, 2021
ASHRAE updates health care facility ventilation standard
Includes improved guidance on thermal comfort, revisions to air filtration requirements.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2021
American Wood Council releases new fire design specification
For design of wood members, assemblies, and connections to meet code requirements.
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2021
Guide provides strategies to overcome barriers to sustainable affordable housing
International Living Future Institute document helps with social, regulatory, and financial hurdles.
Codes and Standards | Jun 3, 2021
Conversion of large office buildings to residential will require revamped regulations
Post-1960 offices present ventilation, daylighting, and other challenges.