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06/20/2008 09:37 AM

Cracked Downtown Manhattan Crane To Be Dismantled

By: NY1 News

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Inspectors found two cracks in the turntable of a tower crane on Washington Street owned by New York Crane earlier this month.

Department of Buildings officials say the cracks do not threaten its structural integrity.

This weekend the crane is scheduled to be dismantled after a history of problems.

The 12-story tall crane was shut down in March because its I-beam was missing a pin.

A later inspection reportedly found that the mechanism used to keep the crane's boom locked was not functioning.

Residents of the area say they were not surprised by the news.

"Well, given the fact that it was the same company that was involved in the previous accidents, I'm not surprised at all," said a local.

"I think everything is very heightened right now as far as looking for that, and I really appreciate the inspectors and the city really stepping it up on that," said another.

"I think it definitely shouldn't be in use. At least during the day on a busy residential corner like this," said a third.

The crane was one of four Kodiak cranes taken out of service after another of New York Crane's Kodiak model cranes collapsed last month, slamming into a building on the Upper East Side and killing two workers.

Another crane provided by New York Crane collapsed in March, killing seven people in Turtle Bay.

The Manhattan District Attorney's office has reportedly launched a probe of New York Crane.

Meanwhile, a $100 million lawsuit was filed recently against New York Crane by the owner of the Upper East Side building damaged in May’s collapse.

First and 91 Company is also suing the contractor and owner of the building under construction.

In court papers filed at Manhattan Supreme Court, the damaged building’s owner claimed to be battling lost tenants and face repair costs, and expected an additional loss in revenue because the building has been stigmatized.

Crane owners argue say their property was improperly welded.