Upper West Side residents are angry work is back on at a controversial construction site at 200 Amsterdam Avenue, weeks after the developer had said work would be halted due to the coronavirus outbreak.
In a letter to the de Blasio administration, Councilmember Helen Rosenthal, who represents the area, expressed concerns about the city’s decision to grant the developer, SJP Properties, permission to perform emergency construction.
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“While a majority of construction sites on the West Side Complied with the order, SJP continued to apply for emergency construction permits to complete outstanding non-emergency electrical work nearly two weeks after the Governors order went into effect,” the letter reads.
The city argued the work was necessary.
“This emergency work is required to protect previously completed interior work and prevent potential safety concerns including due to wind, among other concerns,” the Department of Buildings said in a statement.
The project has long been a source of controversy on the Upper West Side.
More than a decade ago, the developers assembled an oddly shaped lot in an effort to take advantage of air rights from nearby properties to construct a 668-foot luxury condo building with views of Central Park, two avenues away.
The move angered local residents, who took the developer to court.
In an extraordinary ruling earlier this year, a judge ordered SJP Properties to chop at least 20 floors off the building.
"We have consistently abided by all city and state rules and will continue to follow all guidance provided by the Department of Buildings,” said a spokesperson for SJP Properties. “We received the latest permits to complete limited yet important site safety work under 10% of our usual workforce and in strict adherence to DOB COVID-19 Protocols.”
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