Matzo-Gate Pt. 2

A few days ago I reported on the unfolding situation in Brooklyn whereby some 200 artists have been forced out of their live/work spaces with little notice and no recourse.

It appears that an organizing strategy is starting to take shape. The key issue appears to be under what specific conditions the residents will be allowed to return to their homes. The City is saying that can’t happen until there’s a permanent Residential Certificate of Occupancy, which could take as long as a year and is totally impractical. The newly homeless artists are saying they should be allowed back as soon as the immediate safety hazards have been fixed (which has arguably already happened).

Below is a copy of a letter I’m sending to the Fire Department and the Department of Buildings. If you’re concerned about the situation at 475 Kent Avenue - especially if you’re a NYC resident and really especially if you live in Williamsburg - then I’d urge you to take a minute to send your own. Feel free to use mine as a model (which is in turn based on one that was written by NYC Council Member David Yassky).

* * * * *

January 28, 2008

Patricia Lancaster,
Commissioner, DOB
280 Broadway
New York, NY 10007

Nicholas Scoppetta
Commissioner, FDNY
9 Metrotech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Dear Commissioners Lancaster and Scoppetta,

I am writing to you regarding recent events pertaining to 475 Kent Ave in Williamsburg. As I’m sure you know, the residents of that building were evacuated on the night of January 19^th due to hazardous conditions and remain homeless today. I ask that you issue a temporary Residential Certificate of Occupancy for the building as soon as the immediate hazards are mitigated.

As the largest arts service organization in the City, Fractured Atlas represents nearly 3,000 individual artists and small arts organizations within the five boroughs, including 600 in the Williamsburg neighborhood alone. We’ve seen first hand the terrible hardship this evacuation has caused for the 200 New Yorkers who lost their both their homes and work spaces with barely a moment’s notice. The public outcry – from artists and non-artists alike – has been passionate and intense. I urge you to address this situation as quickly and humanely as possible.

Please also consider that the City’s actions in this incident represent a troubling policy reversal. During the 2000 holiday season, the City forced tenants in DUMBO out of their homes because they lived in non-residential loft spaces. When the public protested, the Administration pledged not to evict residents of illegal lofts in the future. It is vital that this policy remain in effect.

I appreciate that there are legitimate safety concerns regarding 475 Kent Ave. However, the explosive grain in question has been removed and there is no further justification for keeping people homeless in the dead of winter. The City has stated that the building will not house tenants until there is a full Residential Certificate of Occupancy. This is an unreasonable and excessive hurdle that will take months to complete. As soon as the most immediate safety hazards are corrected, the residents of 475 Kent Ave. must be allowed to return to their homes.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Adam Forest Huttler
Executive Director
Fractured Atlas

Cc: Magdi A Mossad, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner, DOB
Edward Kilduff, Brooklyn Borough Commander, FDNY