NYC Department of Buildings Enhances Violations

Editor's note: The entire IMBY staff has returned from UPSTATE, emerging from it's silken chrysalis, (unpaid summer vacation)  now transformed,  ready and willing to report as usual to our 9 loyal world wide web subscribers.


The NYC Department of Buildings has enhanced its online Building Information System (BIS) to make your Environmental Control Board violation information more accessible to enquiring minds.

Now when you visit a "Property Profile Overview" page for a particular address, let's say 824 Friel Place in Brooklyn, and click on "Violations-ECB (DOB)" you are directed to a new, much more information packed "ECB Query by Location" page.

You will be able to view an entire summarized list of all ECB violations issued to the property, DOB Violation status, respondent info, ECB Hearing Status, Violation dates, Infraction Codes as well as any ECB penalties due.  Clicking on the highlighted "Infraction Code" above  the violation type will automatically download a PDF containing a "Penalty Schedule for ECB Violations".

A new guide at the bottom of the page defines terms, severity levels by class, and violation and hearing status terms.  Fun Times.

So, from the example above, it looks like 824 Friel Place has 24 open-non compliance building violations. The respondent, JUST HOMES LLC, has defaulted on all 24 hearing dates and now shows a total penalty due of $151,500.00.

Park Slope Jewish Center breaks ground.

Landmark 1927 Park Slope Jewish Center 
1314 Eighth Ave. @ 14th Street

Brewer & Hauptman Architects

Garden Expansion

"This project explores options for the expansion of this historic Brooklyn synagogue onto an adjacent vacant site. The program includes a new accessible entrance with a spacious lobby and support spaces and a future social hall. The study proposes a new design for the original steep front steps to provide a more gracious and comfortable entrance." From the Brawer& Hauptman Architects' web site.   link

You can make a donation to their Capital Campaign Fund or just keep up with the progress being made on their ungoing restoration/ construction work by following the link below.

PSJC Capital Campaign Blog

Upstate Landscapes

Pine Plains,  New York          Intersection of Church and Main Streets.

Stone wall Skunk's Misery Road                Millerton,  New York.

Shroom of the Week, Oh Boy.

Elaborate Fruiting Bodies.

This bracket or shelf fungi (Phylum Basidiomycota) sited on a living tree while driving along Skunk's Misery Road in Millerton,  New York.      click on photos to enlarge

The Mushroom Observer

Upstate Landscapes

The Silent Clown   Dutchess County Fair

Silos 'n Shrubs    Hudson Valley Rail Trail