NYC Corporation lawyer files $23 million lawsuit against developers over damaged fire station

New York’s top lawyer has filed a lawsuit against a group of developers and contractors with ongoing projects next to a fire station in Queens that her office says was so badly damaged by construction on nearby sites that emergency vehicles cannot park inside.

In documents filed last week in the Queens Supreme Court, the city’s legal department says repairing damage to the fire station in the Elmhurst section of Queens, home to the New York Engine Fire Department 287, Ladder 136 and Battalion 46, will cost upwards of $23.5. million.

“Taxpayers should not have to bear the burden of defendants’ negligence and violations of law,” company attorney Sylvia Hinds-Radix said in a press release. “We are determined to hold these owners and their contractors accountable. They should pay the costs the city incurred to deal with the dangerous conditions and have this fire station fully repaired.

Damage to historic Home of FDNY Engine 287, Ladder 136. and Battalion 46 in Queens New York caused by contractors working on a nearby building. New York City is suing 33-24 Realty Inc., 86-55 Grand Realty Inc., Master Works Contractor Inc., Yan Architect & Planner PLLC, and All State 12 General Contracting Corp for damages. Courtesy photos.

A crack in the basement floor of the fire station foundation wall. Courtesy pictures

Cracks in the floor of the fire station kitchen. Courtesy picture.

Cracks in the east wall of the barracks. Courtesy picture.

Crack in the fire station kitchen wall. Courtesy picture

86-53 Grand Avenue, Elmhurst, NY. Credit: google Screenshot

Hinds-Radix’s office said the damage to the fire station was caused by allegedly negligent excavation and foundation construction at two adjacent sites on Queens Boulevard. The ladders and battalion stationed at the fire station, which according to court documents responded to 10,500 emergency calls in 2021, now have to park vehicles on the street and had to build makeshift structures to protect them, claims the city.

The lawsuit names several entities as defendants: 133-24 Realty Inc., 86-55 Grand Realty Inc., Master Works Contractor Inc., Yan Architect & Planner PLLC and All State 12 General Contracting.

All State 12 did not respond to a request for comment sent to an email address on the company’s website. The other entities, which according to state business records are based in various parts of Brooklyn and Queens, could not be reached for comment.