A man who has run a longtime nonprofit in the Theater District said a massive construction project next door has cost him at least $100,000.

Eddie Baca runs the 46th Street Clubhouse, which for decades has helped countless people battling alcoholism.

What You Need To Know

  • Eddie Baca, who runs a longtime nonprofit called the 46th Street Clubhouse, says a massive constructoin project next door has cost him at least $100,000

  • The issue centers around a construction site that will eventually become a 52-story skyscraper. The city has 17 unique noise complaints for the site
  • The city has made six visits this fall to measure the construction noise, and each time it was within the allowable limit

In the lot next to his building is a giant pit where there will eventually be a 52-story skyscraper.

“I can’t even describe the noise to you,” Baca told NY1.

He sent videos that show loud banging that he said was constant for months.

It got so bad he said he had to redo the walling to try to insulate the sound. He also moved almost all their Alcoholics Anonymous meetings remote, which he said was costly because attendees tend to donate more when going to in-person meetings. Those missed donation opportunities have added up, he said.

Now, he said he has lawyers looking to get him reimbursed for all his added costs from the skyscraper developer, Extell.

“They are responsible and I’m going to hold them responsible for the damage financially that they have done here,” he said, adding that several months ago, he estimated he was in the hole $160,000 because of the construction.

Baca said his talks with Extell have gone nowhere. Same for NY1, which has sent multiple emails to the company over the course of a week, all without a response.

This year, there have been 17 unique reports about noise complaints, according to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. This fall, the agency has made six visits to the site to check the noise. Each time, a spokesperson said, the noise was within the allowable city limit.

However, the spokesperson added that Extell’s noise mitigation plan has expired. The city has issued a Notice of Violation.

Baca said recently, the noise has gotten more tolerable. He said he’s still concerned about the money he has lost, which is why he has lawyers involved now.

Baca has been asked if he would consider moving locations. He said that would cost a ton of money and isn’t something he believes he could afford.

Two other nearby business owners also told NY1 the noise was very bad earlier this year, describing the tables inside as shaking. Neither thought it would be worthwhile, though, to pursue any legal action.