Long standing scaffolding has residents at one Bronx building asking why it's there. Our Susan Jhun explains.
"It's a big eyesore," Damon Ranniar said.
"It looks ugly," said Tanya Williams.
Those are common sentiments among residents who live at Carol Gardens Apartments at 880 Thieriot Avenue, where tenants say scaffolding has surrounded the building for years while absolutely no work has been done.
"The scaffolding has been up for at least three to four years," said Ranniar, a tenant of the apartment building. "There hasn't been any work done."
"I haven't seen anyone working on anything," said Williams, who is also a tenant.
Tenants complain that the scaffolding is unsightly and unsafe.
"As far as safety is concerned, sometimes the lights aren't working so it's darker," Ranniar said.
Although tenants have asked, they say they've received no answers as to why the scaffolding is up.
"I don't know why it's up," Tenant Cecily Valentine said. "They never said."
According to the Department of Buildings, the scaffolding went up Oct. 2013 and the sidewalk shed must remain in place until the building's owner corrects the conditions on the façade to ensure public safety.
We reached out to the owner, Carol Gardens Associates. A spokesman released the following statement:
"We understand why some residents may have questions regarding the length of time the bridging has been in place at this property, which is within the Mitchell-Lama program," the statement read.
"The bridging was installed as a precautionary safety measure while we continue to work with the appropriate city agencies to map out a strategy to finance improvements to the building, including the facade, and attempt to keep the rents as low as possible," it continued.
However, when NY1 For You asked what the timeline is to make the improvements the spokesman declined to comment.
It's an uncertain holding pattern, which at this point, residents are used to.
"It needs to be taken down, or work needs to be done," Ranniar said.
NY1 For You will keep you updated.