Pardon Me For Asking: What&#39;s Up With <b>Scaffolding</b> At Raccuglia&#39;s <b>...</b>

Believe it or not, the scaffolding surrounding Raccuglia's Funeral home at 323 Court Street has been up for nearly 4 years. According to the NYC Department Of Building's web site, an application for the scaffolding was approved in May 2007. It has been renewed several times, but no work was ever performed on the place. Over the years, local residents have wondered what was up, like fellow blogger Brooks of Sheffield over at Lost City, who remarked on it in late 2007 and in 2008.And just a few days ago, I received an email from local residents J and J, who write:

Just was curious if you or any of your faithful readers know anything about the status of the scaffolding at Court and Sackett Sts surrounding Raccuglia's Funeral Home. My wife and I moved into the neighborhood over 4 years ago and there was only a short amount of time in which there was NOT unsightly scaffolding--and we have NEVER seen any work being done. Is it to protect funeral goers from the rain? More than anything, it seems to attract teenagers to gather and drink beneath it in the summer ...Thanks! J&J

Good question! What exactly is the issue with the building, and why would it take four years to address it? Not that a funeral parlor is ever a happy place, but surely, the scaffolding makes it look sadder than it has to be, no?

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Synergy Aluminium Scaffolding Tower

Pardon Me For Asking: With <b>Scaffolding</b> Finally Down, 360 Smith <b>...</b>

As seen from Smith Street at First PlaceIn the last few months, the controversial Carroll Gardens development at 360 Smith Street/132 Second Place, once known as 'Oliver House', has slowly risen to an imposing 70 feet. Now, the scaffolding has finally come down, revealing a rather uninspired building that is not only out of scale, but out of context with the rest of the brownstone neighborhood.Developer Stein promptly took his case in front of the Board of Standards and Appeals, that oh-so-contentious board that grants developers exemptions in cases such as this.
In order to be able to continue, Mr. Stein had to prove that a significant portion of the project's foundation had been completed before the Stop Work Order went into effect. Though inspectors from the NYC Department of Buildings determined that only 20% of the foundation had been completed, the BSA gave Stein what he wanted at a hearing in November 2008. The Stop Work Order was lifted. He was now free to proceed. By September 2009, construction resumed.How unfortunate for historic Carroll Gardens. The one block stretch on Smith Street between First and Second Places, with the bright orange stuccoed Hannah Senesh School building on one corner and 'Oliver House' on the other, is now rather fuggly.

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Synergy Aluminium Scaffolding Tower