Stalled development on St. Johns and Underhill--any news?

The Brownstoner, which has been following this project since 2007, asked if the project was dead in 2009:

http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2009/02/development_wat_362.php

Any word as to what's going on--was this a victim of the big meltdown?

is this the building that was going to do "minor alterations" by adding 6 stories to a 2 story building?

...with only six apartment sharing an elevator and a interior stairwell, leaving tiny apartments?

I think the idea died.

It seemed like they came over the winter and put up new permits and new contractor signs. But maybe I was just dreaming. Sure is ugly the way it is now.

steveo wrote: It seemed like they came over the winter and put up new permits and new contractor signs. But maybe I was just dreaming. Sure is ugly the way it is now.

Ugly and potentially hazardous. At the very least the building as it is needs to come down.

novanglus wrote: [quote=steveo]It seemed like they came over the winter and put up new permits and new contractor signs. But maybe I was just dreaming. Sure is ugly the way it is now.

Ugly and potentially hazardous. At the very least the building as it is needs to come down.
That would put an end to the project, since they would then have to get permits for new construction, rather than an end run around the community board with their B.S. "modification" of an existing structure.

I doubt it's hazardous. The one thing they have done so far (about 2 years ago, I guess) is add steel framing to the existing structure. So it's probably stronger now than when it was in use.

(Disclaimer: I'm not an architect, don't sue me if the building falls on you.)

steveo wrote: I doubt it's hazardous. The one thing they have done so far (about 2 years ago, I guess) is add steel framing to the existing structure. So it's probably stronger now than when it was in use.

(Disclaimer: I'm not an architect, don't sue me if the building falls on you.)

Maybe. But the interior has been exposed to the elements for 3+ years now--it has to be rotting at a good pace. I'm not an engineer either, but I've seen far sounder looking buildings get condemned.

We can always hope.

I'm sure Ratner could get the thing condemned and get city funds to put up a public hotdog stand or something.

...we should write to him.

Hope the project doesn't die but would like to see some kind of resolution asap. During the winter months, the sidewalks were rarely shoveled and the ice was dangerous. Plus, there's always trash and litter on the sidewalks and curbs. That stretch on Underhill has always been the dirtiest block in the neighborhood. The stalled renovation has just made things worse.

whynot_31 wrote: I'm sure Ratner could get the thing condemned and get city funds to put up a public hotdog stand or something.

...we should write to him.

dear god, it's karl

please, please,

please

not another reverend herbert daughtry prayer station

marknyc wrote: Hope the project doesn't die but would like to see some kind of resolution asap. During the winter months, the sidewalks were rarely shoveled and the ice was dangerous. Plus, there's always trash and litter on the sidewalks and curbs. That stretch on Underhill has always been the dirtiest block in the neighborhood. The stalled renovation has just made things worse.

It's owned by the same guy who owns the building on the southwest corner of Sterling and Underhill (w the bodega)...his shoveling and cleaning habits are equally bad there.

Yep. Still just sitting there.