Construction fence comes down at 21-16 44th Drive site

One of the top questions we get asked here at the Court Square Blog is, “What is the latest with 21-16 44th Drive?” Well, earlier in the week, we were walking by 21-16 44th Drive and we noticed that the construction fence to the building had come down. This was the first sign of life on the lot since demolition finished back in April.¹ We also checked the Department of Buildings site, and found that no new permits have been filed for the site, so it’s difficult to get a read on what is happening there.²

The project is not without controversy, as nearby residents are concerned by the building based on the track record of the developer.³⁴⁵

This is an excerpt from The Ridgewood Times recapping Community Board 2’s meeting in November, 2013:⁶

Residents said they were concerned that a developer who controlled one shelter dubbed the “Hell Hotel” may be coming to 21-16 44th Dr. in Long Island City. […] Alan Lapes, whose name appears on several work permits issued to the site on Oct. 25, has a history of operating nonprofit shelters, which provide the homeless with rooms that are subsidized by the city.