Mad dogs and Englishmen

They're back at work in the lot today. As the temperature hovered around 95 degrees the foundation contractors were busy at work boring piles. Earlier in the week a shipment of the hollow steel piles was delivered and neatly stacked. The crane lifts a pile and waits for its hole to be finished. The D.O.B. building information site still indicates that the plans are being audited. Was there a revokation or Stop Work Order in place? There is an unusual amount of vibration today, especially when the boring rig is fully lowered.


































Meanwhile, back at 400 15th Street, what a difference a month makes. Progress made since their hardship case was won before the Board of Standards and Appeals.













The basement starts to take shape as cinderblock walls are constructed.

You can see what most likely will be the elevator pit in the foreground. The restraining order must still be in effect as work continues at a safe distance from 396 15th Street. I'm not sure how one goes about constructing half a building, but it will be fascinating to watch. You can see the stair-stepping in the cinder block and exposed reinforcement rod that are to connect up with the rest of the building at some future time.












Like some terrible crime scene or fatal auto accident, a blue tarp went up covering the section of 396 that has severe cracks in the sidewall. I have noticed that the cracks in the masonry are still active and seem to be getting wider.
















The owner of the neighboring building, damaged during foundation work on 400 15th street, has filed a "lis pendens" or "a suit pending" which will expire in 2008.

"Recording a lis pendens against a piece of property, alerts a potential purchaser or lender that the property's title is in question, which makes the property less attractive to a buyer or lender. After the notice is filed, anyone who nevertheless purchases the property decribed in the notice takes subject to the ultimate decision of the lawsuit,"
Thank you again, Elle Woods