constructionaccidentsPatricia Lancaster

Even with the news of a $4 million investment to conduct anintensive, in-depth assessment of high-risk constructionactivities--high-rise concrete operations, excavations and craneoperations--to determine the steps that need to be taken to ensuresafety, industry insiders still voice major apprehension. NoraGross, a local development expert, who currently serves as leasingdirector of Flatbush Gardens, tells GlobeSt.com that "whiledevelopment in New York City reached its fever pitch, the DOB didlittle to keep up, other than churning out permits for work sites,many of which should never have been approved in the firstplace."

Gross explains that the manpower to keep these sites inspectedand safe was never increased accordingly. "Sadly, the tragediesthat have occurred over the last few months are the logicalconclusion to [the] storyline we have been looking at for some timenow. On one hand, most people--including community and laboreradvocacy groups--are happy to hear that the systematic failings ofthe DOB are being addressed, but Mayor Bloomberg's acknowledgementof the issues that have been prevalent come across as a day late,and a dollar short." Gross did say however that examination of theDOB is better late than never.