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Thor Resumes Demolition of Doomed Bank of Coney Island

Posted in Demolition, Photography, Real Estate, tagged Bank of Coney Island, Coney Island, Department of Buildings, Thor Equities on November 17, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Bank of Coney Island Demolition. November 17, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Here are a few photos of the demolition-in-progress taken yesterday in Coney Island. As ATZ tweeted on Monday: “Alas funeral services for Bank of Coney back on track. In lieu of flowers send donations to National Trust @PresNation” and “Today in #ConeyIsland saw Thor’s crew resume work at doomed bank bldg. City rescinded Stop Work Order, required fencing put up #bknews”

Bank of Coney Island Demolition viewed from Jones Walk. November 17, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The DOB web page for the building, which has a lag of about 48 hours is now updated. It says “STOP WORK ORDER FULLY RESCINDED. FENCE ERECTED RESCIND APPROVED” The reason for the Stop Work Order, issued on November 10th, was “FTSGP&P NO CONSTR FENCE PROVIDED FOR CREATING SAFETY ZONE DE BRIS FALLING IN ADJ PROPERTY, STOP ALL WORK COMPLY WITH VIOL”

Though the City’s “Full Stop Work Order” remained in effect for only a few days, it gave what’s left of this historic building a respite from the bulldozer. And it was immensely satisfying to be able to write a headline that began “DOB Stops Thor Demo of Coney Island…. “ while the Stop Work Order was in effect. The City has of course failed to stop Thor Equities from first blighting and now demolishing historic buildings in Coney Island.

For more info on the building, see “Photo of the Day: The Bank of Coney Island, Now & Then” (ATZ, October 14, 2010) and “A Rare Peek Inside Endangered Old Bank of Coney Island” (ATZ, October 9, 2009).

Bank of Coney Island Demolition. November 17, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

DOB Stops Thor Demo of Coney Island Bank, Cites Hazardous Conditions

Posted in Demolition, Real Estate, tagged Bank of Coney Island, Coney Island, Department of Buildings, Single Linds Reflex, Thor Equities on November 12, 2010| 2 Comments »

Stop Work Order issued by Building Enforcement Safety Team for 1124 Surf Ave. November 10, 2010. Photo © Mr Jones via ATZ

ATZ has postponed our funeral service for the Bank of Coney Island, which was expected to be completely demolished in two weeks. The partially demolished building is still doomed, but on Wednesday it got a respite from the bulldozer. The Department of Building’s BEST Squad –the Building Enforcement Safety Team– issued a “Full Stop Work Order” at the bank because debris was falling onto adjacent buildings. Our source said a wall coming down is shared with an adjacent property owner who according to city regulations must pay to build a new wall before work can proceed. There’s talk of a court order to force compliance. Who knows how long this will drag on? The demolition permit, which was originally issued in August, was re-issued in October and remains valid through June 11, 2011.

The DOB web page, which has a lag of about 48 hours, is now updated and cites “HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS OBSERVED AT SITE” and “NO CONSTR FENCE PROVIDED FOR CREATING SAFETY ZONE DEBRIS FALLING IN ADJ PROPERTY, STOP ALL WORK COMPLY WITH VIOL.”

These documentary photos are from a set shot inside the bank on Sunday by photo blogger Single Linds Reflex.

Bank of Coney Island Demolition. November 8, 2010. Photo © Single Linds Reflex via flickr

NYC Department of Buildings
Overview for Complaint #:3360583 = RESOLVED
Complaint at: 1124 SURF AVENUE BIN: 3245151 Borough: BROOKLYN ZIP: 11224
Re: HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS OBSERVED AT SITE

Category Code: 21 SAFETY NET/GUARD RAIL-DAM/INADEQ/NONE(OVER 6 STY/75 FT)

DOB District: N/A
Special District: CI – CONEY ISLAND

Assigned To: BEST SQUAD Priority

Bank of Coney Island Demolition. November 8, 2010. Photo © Single Linds Reflex via flickr

Received: 11/10/2010 16:36 Block: 8696 Lot: 37 Community Board: 313
Owner: WEISS SURF AVENUE,LL

Last Inspection: 11/10/2010 – – BY BADGE # 2342
Disposition: 11/10/2010 – A3 – FULL STOP WORK ORDER SERVED
Job Number:
Comments: FTSGP&P NO CONSTR FENCE PROVIDED FOR CREATING SAFETY ZONE DE BRIS FALLING IN ADJ PROPERTY, STOP ALL WORK COMPLY WITH VIOL
DOB Violation #: 111010BS13MI01
ECB Violation #s: 34860946M

Update… November 15

Alas, Thor’s demo crew resumed work at the doomed Bank of Coney Island again on Monday. The DOB rescinded the stop work order, noting that the required fencing was now in place. Though the Stop Work Order remained in effect for only a few days, it was immensely satisfying to read the headline “DOB Stops Thor Demo….” while it lasted, wasn’t it? Funeral arrangements are being planned. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Photos from the Demolition: Bulldozer Inside Bank of Coney Island

Posted in Photo of the Day, Real Estate, tagged Bank of Coney Island, Bruce Handy, demolition, historic building, Joe Sitt, Surf Avenue, Thor Equities on November 9, 2010| 1 Comment »

Bank of Coney Island Demolition. November 7, 2010. Photo © Bruce Handy/Pablo 57 via flickr

Last week’s shocking news of the eviction of 9 Boardwalk mom-and-pop businesses by Luna Park operator Central Amusement International stole the spotlight from Thor Equities’ ongoing demolition on Surf Avenue. Some folks asked to be told when the heavy machinery arrived at the Bank of Coney Island. Well, it’s here and has been doing its dirty work..

The roof and part of the back wall of the building were taken out last week. Now you can see right through to the sky and the Wonder Wheel. In these photos by Coney Island photographer Bruce Handy, the bulldozer is parked inside the doomed building, which is shrouded in black demolition netting and scaffolding. Get ready for another funeral.

Check out photo blogger Single Linds Reflex stunning pix from inside the building. A construction worker allowed her and another photographer to take a peek inside yesterday! The worker told them it would take about 2 weeks to completely demolish the building. More photos on Single Linds Reflex’s flickr page.