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Inspector of Buckling Midtown Building Cited for Missing Problems at Other NYC Sites
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- A private firm, Domani Inspection Services, conducted multiple inspections and certified the safety of structural alterations at a Midtown Manhattan office tower before columns buckled on the 21st floor.
- The building at 235 East 42nd Street, undergoing conversion from offices to a 37-story apartment building, was evacuated along with nearby structures, causing significant disruption in the area.
- Domani has a history of violations, including unlicensed concrete testing and failure to report a facade collapse, with the NYC Department of Buildings citing the firm three times between 2012 and 2017.
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety and oversight of office-to-residential conversions and brought scrutiny to both the developer, MetroLoft, and the inspection firm responsible for certifying the structural work.
- Special inspection agencies like Domani play a critical role in verifying construction work, as their approval is required by the city before large projects can be deemed complete.
