Board Claims
What is really going on?
Here's the email that was sent to the Co-op after they installed the vent dampers, illegally, in my apartment and earned a third DOB violation. The co-op's lawyer claimed EPA air standards are different in NY compared to CA (not true), and that the tool we used for air monitoring wasn't acceptable because it was purchased from Amazon. Here's a video of air monitoring we did via a NYU air monitor in 2025.
We have given the building access repeatedly for inspections and work: Jan 20, 2020; Feb 20, 2025; Aug 6, 2025; Nov 25, 2025; Dec 10, 2025; Feb 25, 2026; April 23, 2026, May 1, 2026, and May 5, 2026. Click here for who came and why.
This is the second time the Co-op has claimed that Alexandrea could have fixed this problem while she was President. As per my email to the Board on March 20, 2026, "Contrary to your assertion that I had “full opportunity to raise, prioritize, and advance” these concerns during my tenure as President, the record demonstrates that I consistently and repeatedly raised the issues affecting my apartment over a lengthy period of time but did not receive an adequate response from Building management or the Board. I documented my efforts in a written summary circulated to the Board and the managing agent last year. To date, I have not received any response rejecting or disputing anything included in that summary. But I have, inexplicably, received an enormous amount of resistance to my requests for the types of repairs routinely granted to other units."
Click here for the full email. Click here for the Feb 2025 email sent to the Board -- a year before I filed in housing court -- with screenshots of my requests over the years for a repair. Also, note that as per the email, even though I was the Board president, I recused myself from the discussion and vote because that was the right thing to do ethically.
The vent dampers were the cheapest option the building could find to reduce the negative pressure, but were not based on any engineering findings. Goldman Copeland, a mechanical engineering firm, recommended a multi-step process to resolve the problem and the co-op still has not implemented any of those steps.
The co-op refused to get permits for the dampers, which resulted in a third DOB violation.
Also, the "fix" actually made the situation worse. The installer put the air flow below the legal minimums -- triggering multiple HPD violations. Air continues to flow into our apartment through the outlets and party wall and now there's no functional exhaust. Now we marinate in air pollution. The air quality has deteriorated considerably (pre-damper environmental report vs post-damper report.)
This condition is in multiple apartments. There have been more than 55 311-complaints for ventilation alone since 2020. You can see images of broken vents and outlets operating as vents here. If you are experiencing food smells, smoke, or other odors in your apartment, you probably have negative pressure too.
The Co-op had an OATH hearing regarding DOB violations for the unpermited fans and pressure issues for this building on Thurs., April 16. Alexandrea was an observer. The building gave a defense of "service," claiming that the DOB taping a violation to the vestibule door was not sufficient notice, and they needed to question the DOB inspector.
This hearing was then set for November 10, 2026.
Violation 039171514R requires that the building "Provide detailed plans of building buildings, mechanical exhaust systems. Provide testing and balancing report for entire exhaust and ventilation system. Correct all violating conditions and submit a certificate of correction."
The Co-op still has not done a testing and balancing report for the entire bulding.
The DOB offered the building a Feb cure date -- no financial penalties if they fixed the problem by then. They'd rather fight than fix.
The Building's DOB Violations
Two of the Co-op's Dept of Buildings Violations are ECB/OATH cases. These cases involve summonses that are issued by more than 25 different City enforcement agencies responsible for protecting the public's health and safety and ensuring it has a clean environment.
Under LL 110, passed in 2019, the co-op should be notifying residents of these violations with a notice displayed in the lobby along with a copy of the violation. This notice should have been posted by January 1, 2026 and should be posted until the matter is resolved.
This still has not been done.
Local Law 110 Requirement
Read what the DOB says about this
DOB OATH Flier
This should be posted in the lobby
DOB Building Violation
Here's the violation for the unpermitted rooftop vents. The Co-op needs a "testing and balancing report for the entire exhaust and ventilation system."