Crane back in operation

From Westsiders for Public Participation:

• Crane at 808 Columbus Back in Operation; WPP to Demand Information from DOB

• Assembly Member O’Donnell Calls for Crane to Be Dismantled

The Department of Buildings has lifted the stop work order for the Kodiak crane at the 808 Columbus site of the proposed “Columbus Village.” Use of the crane had been ordered stopped pending a DOB investigation since May 30, when a crane of the same model crashed down at an east side construction site, killing two workers and heavily damaging an adjacent apartment building.

The DOB has not made public the results of its investigation of the crane at 808 Columbus. WPP will follow up to obtain the results of the investigation.

“This is another example of the DOB sitting on information about the impacts of this development, all of which the public has a right to know about,” said Paul Bunten, founder and president of WPP. “It’s astonishing that we have to continually use the legal process to get basic information about this enormous project, not only about zoning compliance, but even about issues of safety – and even after two devastating crane collapses.”

Assembly Member O’Donnell, citing the “shocking history of safety violations” at 808 Columbus, has called for the stop work order to be reinstated. O'Donnell accused the Mayor and Department of Buildings of endangering the welfare of the public. A press release from Assembly Member O’Donnell follows our commitment statement.

“We appreciate that Assembly Member O’Donnell has joined us in calling the DOB and the mayor to account for the lack of transparency at the DOB,” Mr. Bunten said.
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Press Release from Office of Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell

Contact: Shane Seger (212) 866-3970
245 West 104th Street
New York, NY 10025

O'DONNELL: LIFTING STOP WORK ORDER ON 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE CRANE ENDANGERS PUBLIC

June 18, 2008 – Today Assembly Member O'Donnell decried the decision by the Department of Buildings to lift the Stop Work Order for the Kodiak crane at 808 Columbus Avenue and urged Mayor Bloomberg to overturn the decision and order the crane dismantled. The Stop Work Order was imposed shortly after the Kodiak crane collapse at E. 91st Street. O'Donnell accused the Mayor and Department of Buildings of endangering the welfare of the public.

From the letter: “Dismantling this crane, in operation at a site with a shocking history of safety violations, is the only precaution sure to protect the safety of neighbors, construction workers, and passers-by.” . . . “The public is desperate for your administration to demonstrate leadership in the oversight of construction sites and place public safety first.” . . . “This crane is a looming symbol of anxiety for so many who deserve a measure of relief from the seemingly constant stream of negative impacts construction has brought. Lifting the Stop Work Order on this crane is tantamount to endangering the safety of the public.”

“The New York Times poll released just yesterday indicated 4 of 5 respondents believe the Mayor should be doing more to protect their safety. The public is crying out for bold leadership on their behalf and their pleas are met with silence and indifference. The Mayor has a moral obligation to ensure the public's safety and yet, too often, decisions are made that absolutely counter this idea,” Assembly Member O'Donnell said. “There is no question in my mind that the decision to lift the Stop Work Order for the crane at 808 Columbus Avenue endangers the public.”

808 Columbus Avenue, part of a massive-scale development along Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues between W. 97th and W. 100th Streets, was the site of the collapse of a retaining wall that caused the evacuation of hundreds of neighboring residents. Just last week, unsecured lumber and building materials at the site were scattered into the street and sidewalks by high winds. Neighbors of the site recently filed a lawsuit seeking a more thorough review of the development's plans and community impacts. Assembly Member O'Donnell has signed on as a plaintiff in that suit.

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Assembly Member O'Donnell has represented the 69th Assembly District since 2003. His district includes portions of the Upper West Side, Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley, and West Harlem. He currently also serves as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Criminal Trial Procedures, and as a member of the Education; Codes; Environmental Conservation;