By Patrick Donachie
City Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) is calling for the developer of a 130-unit Arverne complex to fix construction problems that have plagued homeowners and residents since they moved in.
Richards stood in front of a home located in the Waters Edge complex Jan. 13 flanked by numerous homeowners to ask the Briarwood Organization, the development company in charge of construction, to fix the post-construction deficiencies in the houses.
“One of the many dreams we have in life is to become the owner of our very own home. Many people, particularly in our city, never get that opportunity, never mind an affordable home,” Richards said. “Unfortunately, for many of the residents here, that dream turned into a reality and then a nightmare.”
The complex is located on Beach 59th through Beach 62nd Streets between Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Beach Front Road. Homeowners filed a suit against the Briarwood Organization in September, alleging Briarwood overlooked significant construction defects.
Specific charges included “improper installation of the condominium’s roof” which allowed water to seep in, corroded electrical pull boxes, water damage to windows and doors as well as boilers that did not “maintain adequate heat in their homes.” An attorney for the Briarwood Organization, which is located on Bell Boulevard in Bayside, could not be reached for comment.
Richards said if the Briarwood Organization does not make the needed repairs, the HPD should “refuse to work with their organization on any subsidized projects.”
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
