Booted Tenants In Bronx Building Begin Return As Landlord Replaces Improperly Removed Fire Escapes; Some Think Act Was Intentional To Dodge Rent Regs

In The Bronx, New York, the New York Daily News reports:

• The tenants of the fire escape fiasco building got two reasons last week to be hopeful that the end of their nightmare is in sight. Two new lines of fire escapes were installed at 2400 Webb Ave., allowing 24 units on the second through seventh floors to be occupied, according to Buildings Department spokesman Tony Sclafani. That brings to 35 the number of apartments that residents can return to, out of 75 total.
  
  And Bronx Housing Court Judge Jerald Klein last Friday presided over a consent order agreeing that landlord Goldfarb Properties will complete the re-installation of fire escapes by July 31st or face penalties up to $150 a day per violation. All parties signed the stipulation.
  
  “It went rather well,” said Michael Staton, the tenant representative. "The judge seemed to be very affable and instructive and helpful in terms of leading us through this process," noted Staton. "He really explained and clarified everything."
  
  More than 200 tenants were evacuated on June 4, after a contractor removed all the fire escapes in May without a permit, turning the University Heights building into a firetrap. Staton, who was able to move back into his apartment nearly two weeks ago, expressed hope that more of his neighbors would return soon.
  
  Though there were many violations, the consent order only concerned those that kept tenants out of their apartments. "The violations of concern are the removal of the fire escapes and the lack of a fire proof door separating the garage from the basement," said Staton. "The other violations that have to be corrected would not necessitate that we are out of the apartments."
  
  The tenants seems content with this decision, Staton said, but they are still upset over the predicament. The building is home to many city employes, as well as many elderly residents and tenants with young children.
  
  Some tenants have said they believe the evacuation was intentional, to get rid of longtime tenants with low rents.
  
  Sclafani said the investigation of the landlord and engineer Roland Draper to determine whether they purposely skirted the law is ongoing, and both could face more severe penalties.

For the story, see Tenants of Bronx building displaced by fire escape fiasco see light at end of tunnel; half can return (Consent order hammered out last Friday in Bronx Housing Court).