Of all the mindbogglingly crappy development sites around Brooklyn, the one that our Greenpoint correspondent dubbed Crater Lake in sending along these photos almost makes our brains explode. (The photo was taken before yesterday’s downpour.) You can find this 18-foot-deep bomb crater at 265 Eckford Street in Greenpoint. A ten-story building with 18 apartment is set to rise on the site. The interesting thing is that there is a Stop Work Order (dated May 19) on the project, not because of the big, gaping hole, but because of a lousy fence. The site was first cited for its crappy fence during the winter. So, our question is, did the builders dig this hole or did they drop a 10,000 pound bomb on the site? Or, could it be a sink hole? Either way, note how all its neighbors seem in danger of being sucked into the vortex. Possibly, someone could issue a Don’t Collapse Order as the sides of the crater slowly erode?
The upside: Crater Lake in Greenpoint!!!
7 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Jun 5, 2007 at 7:58 am
So you’ve invented a way to build a building without digging a foundation? What the hell exactly are you criticizing — that the construction process doesn’t look like your childhood Richard Scarry books that constitute your complete engineering credentials?
2 Anonymous // Jun 5, 2007 at 9:21 am
Notice that there is no oil seeping from the ground as there is at the Roebling St projrct in Williamsburg. We keep hearing about the oil spill in Greenpoint, but the only place they keep hitting oil on project after project is in Williamsburg. Very interesting.
3 Anonymous // Jun 5, 2007 at 2:08 pm
It would be cool if they actually dropped a bomb to create the foundation hole – This was Bucky Fuller’s idea originally – drop a bomb from a blimp or airplane and then plant the mushroom structure of your building.
4 Xris // Jun 5, 2007 at 2:20 pm
My question is: Where did they get the Tyrannosaurus whose footprint is in the hole? And where did they put it when they were done with it?!
5 Anonymous // Jun 6, 2007 at 9:56 am
Patchwork fence in background does look a bit sketchy…
6 Anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 9:56 am
As the General contractor for this project a couple of facts have to addressed, the patch work fence in the back was done by ARAZ demolition, it is an eyesore for sure, and the demolition company had the same terrible fence facing Eckford street. Araz is known for this type of work. My company installed a well maintained chainlink fence facing eckford street. AS for the hole in the ground here are the facts. 2 stop work orders have been placed, the signage and permits have been ripped down 6 times causing us to get violation after violation. The lock on the gate was cut and the site vandalized, photos were taken of the break in and our attornies have shown them in court while addressing the vioaltions. The owner has not paid for any insurance ( we at our expense are maintaning insurance) and owes my company money. I do not finance other peoples projects, when they don’t pay work stops. The building for this site would be a nice additon to Greenpoint but without the proper funding work stops. It is unfortunate that the community has to deal with this eye sore for now. But we as the General contractors,our hands our tied, unless some of you guys want to pay for the solution.
7 Anonymous // Jan 23, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Contractor, you say that this hole is an eyesore….that this building would be a nice addition to the neighborhood. I disagree strongly. Have you been on the street. Oh yes, presumably as the contractor you have. Have you noticed that the houses are much lower than 10 stories, between 3 and 4 to be exact. As a resident of the block, I am horrified that this building is being planned. And I’ll do everything I can to stop it.