Manhattan Borough President’s Plan to Deal with Scaffolding Problem

It’s been nearly three decades since Juvenal Núñez opened a hardware store in Washington Heights and has struggled to keep it afloat ever since, despite high rents and the pandemic. But something he did not count on was a scaffolding that has been on the sidewalk for more than three years, affecting his business.

“It’s a combination, the building also needs repair, but they have taken too much time, I understand and that makes the business and sales ugly, of course it lowers us and on top of that the rent, which is extremely high, imagine, it’s something very difficult”, Nunez explained.

Scaffolding has become a part of New York’s architectural landscape, but these sheds, built to comply with local law enforcement, negatively impact local businesses and the quality of life for residents, according to the Borough President. of Manhattan, Mark Levine.

“Well, in many cases it is that the building owner refuses to make the necessary repairs to be able to remove the scaffolding and sometimes they do not want to spend what it would cost to fix the facade, which can be millions of dollars and they prefer to pay for a scaffolding which is much cheaper, but the public loses in that case,” Levine said.

Levine also posted a message on social media about his plan for the scaffolding.

“Do you recognize scenes like these? If you live in New York, you do,” Levine writes.

“Scaffolding in New York City is a good idea that has gotten out of hand. In Manhattan alone there are more than 4,000 of these sheds on the sidewalk. Some have been up for years, creating a plague in many neighborhoods.

“Today we are launching a plan to control this,” Levine’s message continues.

Recognize scenes like these? If you live in NYC you do.

Scaffolding in NYC is a good idea run amok. In Manhattan alone there are 4k+ of these sidewalk sheds. Some have been up for years, creating a blight in many neighborhoods.

Today we’re releasing a plan to rein this in.🧵 pic.twitter.com/LFHN4lxFej

— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) March 6, 2023

According to NYC buildings, the duration of the permits for these scaffolds are 243 days, but we all know that among us there are some that last many months or even years.

And while by law, scaffolding serves to keep New Yorkers safe from falling debris and equipment on the streets, while buildings have their façades patched up every five years, for Levine, they make the buildings ugly. shops, block their view, darken the streets bringing problems to many, so this is their plan.

In order for some buildings to finish work on time, they need the following from the city: (Source: Manhattan Borough President Office )

-Financial support for those who need to do their job quickly

-Reduce delays caused by permit requirements and disputes with neighboring properties

-Hold buildings responsible for not completing façade works on time

-Update the inspection regulations of Local Law 11 and

Enforce your requirements on time otherwise fine the building owners.

Rafael Rapozo, who walks the scaffolding every day, says he fears for his safety.

“Well, I always look up, I always look up because you never know when something might come loose.”

On the other hand, it benefits a merchant because her clients have a roof where they can cover themselves from the inclement weather.

“In this case, it favors me, it’s true that it makes them ugly, but it favors me because the sun covers me,” said Francia Sandooval, a Washington Heights merchant.