New York, NY (February 18, 2025)—Council Members Robert Holden (District 30) and Jennifer Gutiérrez (District 34) are calling on the city to take immediate action to address the hazardous conditions at 614 Woodward Avenue in Ridgewood. The long-abandoned property has been a persistent blight on the community.

In a joint letter to New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner James Oddo and New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr., the council members detailed the severe safety hazards, extensive violations, and the owner’s blatant neglect of the site. The property, owned by Silvershore Properties, has amassed over 40 DOB violations and 67 OATH/ECB violations—61 of which remain open—totaling more than $529,875 in unpaid fines.

The property has become a dumping ground, attracting rodents and other public health hazards, while the long-standing scaffolding and sidewalk shed create an unsafe environment for pedestrians and residents.

“This is a textbook case of an absentee property owner failing their responsibility and leaving the surrounding community to suffer the consequences,” said Holden. “This site has been an eyesore and a hazard for years, and despite multiple interventions and penalties, the owner has failed to act. The city must step in and do the right thing.”

“For years, this property has been an eyesore, a safety hazard, and a burden on our community,” said Gutiérrez. “With more than 40 DOB violations and 67 OATH violations—many still unresolved— the owner has failed to address the dangerous conditions, illegal dumping, and overall neglect. This lot has the potential to serve the community—whether as affordable housing, a community center, or another valuable resource—but instead, it remains abandoned and filled with trash. My office has been reaching out to the City about this property for years—and it is time for the City to take action now to protect residents and hold the owner accountable.”

Holden and Gutiérrez are urging DOB and HPD to take emergency action, including stabilizing the property, removing the long-standing scaffolding, and holding the property owner accountable for the prolonged neglect. The council members stress that allowing violations of this magnitude to go unaddressed sends the wrong message—that bad actors can ignore fines and city regulations while neighborhoods suffer.

The Council Members are calling for an immediate update from city agencies on the enforcement actions available to remedy the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of Ridgewood residents.

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