What's That Strange Silence Next Door?

If your co-op or condo is within shouting distance of a construction site – a strong possibility, given the ongoing building frenzy – there’s a good chance the noise next door has suddenly stopped. Why? Because the city, in response to a growing number of serious accidents and fatalities at construction sites, issued 4,580 stop-work orders during the first six months of this year, a 23 percent increase from a year ago.

The orders immediately halt work at a construction site until fines are paid and the problems identified by inspectors are rectified.

Politico New York reports that the city has hired 100 more inspectors, quadrupled the penalties for the most common violations, and required more supervision at low-rise sites, where most accidents occur.

While you may be enjoying some unexpected, though temporary, peace and quiet, not everyone is pleased with the recent blizzard of stop-work orders. Lou Coletti, president of the Buildings Trades Employers’ Association, said, “We feel that many of these stop-work orders are issued on a very subjective basis, and based on individual inspector determinations – rather than policy that would give guidance to the contractors.”