By Jeremy Walsh
Work has been stopped twice in the last five months at the former auto parts store Big Boys Toys at 85-01 Queens Blvd. on Sept. 21 and Oct. 27. A portion of the building still stands, but may soon be torn down if the developers receive a demolition permit.On Jan. 15, inspectors found work continuing at the site despite the stop-work order and issued a follow-up violation.CB 4 Environmental Committee Chairman Tom MacKenzie said he reported the site to the city Department of Buildings several times.”It means nothing to them,” MacKenzie said of the contractors. “You say 'Stop,' they say, 'Yes, yes,' then they go back to work the next day.”In June, the owner, Mohammed Noori, filed a plan with the DOB to expand the two-story building's floor area from 2,968 square feet to 6,565 square feet.The September stop-work order was issued after the contractor failed to provide the approved plans at the time of inspection. Inspectors found that the contractors had excavated the site without providing sheeting or shoring as required. The order was rescinded Sept. 24 after the contractor provided adequate sheeting and shoring and submitted the approved plans.The October stop-work order was issued after inspectors determined that foundation work underway on the adjacent lot went beyond the scope of the approved plans, a DOB spokeswoman said. A demolition permit was pre-filed – but not yet approved – on Dec. 3, but a pending violation on the site indicates that one building has already been completely demolished while work begins on an independent foundation.CB 4 District Manager Richard Italiano said the DOB requires that the previous building be demolished and the lot leveled and cleaned before work can begin on a new structure.It remained unclear what Noori intends to build in place of the auto parts store.Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
