The Department of Buildings is implementing new regulations under which some former Electrical Violations will become Notices of Objection. Starting July 1st, the department will issue Notices of Violation for egregious hazards. Three open houses describing how objections and violations will be handled under the new rules will be held from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. June 12th, 14th, and 21st in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn respectively. Click here for details and reservations. Electricians, contactors, developers and owners are welcome.
Residential building permits were issued for 32.8 percent more units in 2011 than 2010, but completed units fell 41.8 percent from year to year, according to the Rent Guidelines Board annual Housing Supply Report issued yesterday. The number of in rem housing units taken by the city climbed to 845 units, the first increase in the in rem stock since the City’s efforts to get out of the housing business in 1989. Changes in the regulated stock are also detailed.
The Department of Housing Preservation and Development has issued an RFP for development of 50 units of affordable housing along with various potential ground floor uses at 337 Berry St. in Brooklyn – a former Landmarks Preservation Commission warehouse with, apparently, no significance of its own worth preserving.
Effective June 15th, lenders have to notify HPD within 15 days of when they commence a mortgage foreclosure action against any residential property in New York City; discontinue a mortgage foreclosure action; receive a judgment in a foreclosure action against residential property; or sell a foreclosed property.
Two big stories on the union front this week. Michael Fishman, head of building workers Local 32BJ is moving up in the SEIU national leadership and Hector Figueroa seems to be unopposed to replace him. Meanwhile, threatened with non union contractors getting work on the Tappan Zee bridge, the Ironworkers Local 46 agreed to cut wages and modify work rules to become more competitive.