Construction came to a halt on a controversial homeless shelter in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, this week, as city agencies issued stop-work orders for additional asbestos-related testing.
Both the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) called for extra analysis on the site at 2501 86th Street, just weeks after construction began. At the same time, the site’s asbestos inspector was suspended in connection with another site.
In response to the news, over 50 local residents and elected officials rallied at the site Wednesday, questioning irregularities in the inspection process and offering to fund an independent, third-party asbestos inspection. “We just want a fair inspection,” said Ci Ma of the 86th Street Community Alliance, a group of local residents who oppose the shelter. “It doesn’t have to favor the developer or us.”…