Our windows have been obstructed by the sidewalk shed accompanying the construction of the neighboring building (37 Warren), which is concluded now and has been for quite some time. I do not believe I am exaggerating to say that it has been up for more than two years! I was advised last July by the on site manager at 37 Warren that the scaffolding would be down by September 2013—but it is still up. I’ve asked my building’s management to get an answer but they have not been forthcoming. I’ve made complaints to 311. I wonder if you have access to any information about the scaffolding or if you could direct me to the proper agency to complain to? —L.

“The sponsor doesn’t wish to comment right now,” was the response from a rep for 37 Warren. It never ceases to amaze when a business—in this case, Bazbaz Development—passes on an opportunity to be communicative when it’s inconveniencing someone. “We’re so sorry,” it could so easily say. “We’re waiting on a part [or whatever], so it just doesn’t make sense to take the shed down yet. We know it’s an inconvenience for you, and we’re doing our best to move it along as best we can.” That’s what I’d do, anyway. And yes, it has been at least two years. UPDATE 3/6: See Julie’s comment below that work on the roof is not yet completed.

So, unfortunately, we have to assume that the shed isn’t coming down soon.

What can you do? If the Department of Buildings gave a hoot about sidewalk sheds, the one that has been around its building (280 Broadway) for something like a decade would’ve been long gone by now. And I imagine that Bazbaz is well within its rights to keep the shed up, as long as the permits are in order. Still, have you tried reaching out to the company? There’s an email (info@bazbazdevelopment.com) and a phone (212-537-5897) on its website; in my experience, emails to general mailboxes are more easily ignored, so I’d try calling first, asking for whoever is in charge of 37 Warren. Obviously, there’s power in numbers, so if anyone else is being aggravated—perhaps over on the Warren side?—you’d do well to gang up. Don’t assume the company will know what you’re talking about; feel free to send my photo—and, better yet, one from inside your apartment, showing your blocked windows.

If that goes nowhere, although Bazbaz should really give you a reason why the shed is still there, then contact Community Board 1 (212-442-5050, man01@cb.nyc.gov). I don’t believe that CB1 has any jurisdiction, but the folks who work there would know what recourse you might have—or maybe know someone at the DOB who can get a reason why the sidewalk shed hasn’t come down yet. (Again: The more of you behind the complaint, the better. And send photos!) If nothing else, CB1 may be able to make Bazbaz see that being a good neighbor in this instance, even if it doesn’t have to be, might lead to pleasant repercussions down the line if, say, it has to go before the community board’s Landmarks Committee.

Got a question? Email it to tribecacitizen@gmail.com.

Previous Nosy Neighbor posts:
• When will 87 Leonard be done?
• What are those panels on the sanitation garage?
• How many fake restaurants are on Seamless?
• Is a 60-story hotel going up on W. Broadway?
• Why are the BMCC trailers still there?
• Didn’t Bread Tribeca have plans to reopen?
• When is the Arman building getting its Arman?
• Why is 15 Warren painted that way?
• Where do Laughing Man’s profits go?
• Are dogs allowed at outdoor restaurant tables?
• When will FiOS come to Tribeca?
• What’s up with 60 Hudson?
• Will the W. Broadway construction ever end?
• What’s happening at 87 Leonard?
• When will the West Street trailers be removed?
• What goes on at 444 Greenwich?
• When will the Chambers Street Elevators be fixed?
• Why are Goldman Sachs’s lights always on?
• What’s the story with the Batmobile?
• What’s going on with 88 Thomas?
• Is another Equinox opening in IPN?
• Any update on the Chambers construction?
• Who’s responsible for the snowflake lights?
• Is 93 Reade adding a floor?
• Is 28 N. Moore going residential?
• Why does cobblestoning require sprinklers?
• Do newspaper boxes need permits?
• Why does 161 Duane say “Whalebone”?
• What’s the story behind those Harrison townhouses?
• What are those white things at 137 Franklin?
• What’s that thing at W. Broadway and Leonard?
• What happens to old cobblestones?
• Are buses allowed to idle on Laight?
• What’s happening with the Verizon building?
• Will the construction at Hudson and Laight ever end?
• Is N. Moore getting cobblestoned?
• Can you recommend any Tribeca picture books?
• Why are those shuttles on Greenwich?
• Who enforces sidewalk-café regulations?
• What’s going on at 27 Desbrosses?
• What are those black pellets on Pier 25?
• What do the characters on 47 Vestry mean?
• Where is the Special Forces monument going?
• Who’s moving into 151 Hudson?
• What’s up with those Verizon carts?
• Where was the original Blues Bar?
• Who are the guys in the geeky pants?
• Why are the windows above Ponte’s boarded up?
• Can we walk on the West Street medians?
• What’s going on in 157 Hudson?
• What is this P.C. Richard & Son Theater I keep hearing about?
• What’s the story behind the lights at 289 Church?
• What’s the Dream House at 275 Church?
• How come every every film and TV shoot seems to have a trailer with doors marked “Lucy” and “Desi”?

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