(NEW YORK, NEW YORK)— 729 Seventh Avenue had been cited for 1 façade violation almost a full year before and even set aside money for repairs when architect Erica Tishman was struck and killed by a falling façade piecethis December. In light of her tragic death, NYC is vowing to crack down on façade violations in the city, Gothamist reports.
The façade inspection department has since doubled in numbers, to a total of 24 members. Buildings like 729 Seventh Avenue will not be allowed to stall renovations once issued a citation. Especially buildings like 729 Seventh Avenue, issued a Class 1 violation for a severe instance, will face immediate follow-up inspections once cited. The city is also moving to make inspections more frequent and more stringent, for any and all buildings over 6 floors. There are over 14,500 New York buildings over six stories.
The building façade inspection department was not established until relatively late in NYC’s history. It came into existence in 1980 after the death of a Barnard student on Columbia’s campus.
