City of New York v. Unsafe Building & Structure Number 97 Columbia Heights
The City of New York filed a motion to tax and adjust costs and disbursements related to an Unsafe Building proceeding for a property at 97 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, following a major fire in February 1980. The city sought judgment for demolition costs incurred after a court precept was issued. The respondent owner, 97 Columbia Heights Housing Corp., challenged the city's claim, arguing that the demolition lacked competitive bidding and that the owner was denied an opportunity to perform the work. Justice Gerald Adler found no merit in the respondent's contentions, ruling that an emergency justified bypassing competitive bidding and that the owner failed to meet the conditions to perform the work themselves. The court ultimately granted the city's motion in all respects.