By Howard Koplowitz
One of the largest real estate developers in Queens is a co-developer of the Manhattan site of the crane collapse that killed two people Friday, but it remains unclear whether the company is liable for the incident.
The Mattone Group, a family-owned company in College Point, and Elmont, L.I.-based The DeMatteis Organization are co-developers of The Azure, a luxury, high-rise co-op being constructed at 333 East 91st St. above a public school.
The cab of the crane at the site broke off of its pedestal and toppled onto a nearby apartment building Friday, killing its operator and a construction worker.
The Manhattan district attorney's office is investigating the crane's owner, New York Crane, which has an office in Maspeth and two others in New Jersey.
A source familiar with the crane collapse said lawsuits are generally brought forth against every entity with ties to an accident, although a judge has the right to remove some defendants from a suit if he determines it does not apply to them.
“It's going to depend on what's being alleged,” the source said, noting that no lawsuits have been filed yet. “Normally, they sue everyone who's involved in the incident.”
Hypothetically, if the suing party claims a crane was fixed improperly, it would be the owner's responsibility, the source said. But if it was found that a city inspector signed off on the crane despite structural problems, the city would be liable.
The Mattone Group could not be reached for comment.
The DeMatteis Organization replaced the main page on its Web site with an apology for the incident and a statement.
“We are currently gathering all the facts surrounding this unfortunate accident and will provide more details as they become available.”
The city owns the land at the construction site but leased the property to The Mattone Group and The DeMatteis Organization for 75 years. The developers are building the school at no charge to the city.
The Mattone Group manages and leases more than 1.5 million square feet of property, according to its Web site.
It was the developer of Jamaica Center, which included the neighborhood's first movie theater in 30 years, a Gap and an Old Navy.
The company also developed the Waldbaum's shopping center at 20th Avenue and 134th Street in College Point, the Pathmark shopping center at Springfield and Merrick Boulevards in Springfield Gardens.
Developments built by The DeMatteis Organization include the 33-story Chelsea Tower, the 52-story Tribeca Tower, both in Manhattan and the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Long Island City.
Stephen Stirling contributed to this story.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
