Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Crane Collapse Draws Attention to Laxity of Building Inspections
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Mar 23, 2008
Modified Mar 23, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Mar 23, 2008
Modified Mar 23, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The crane collapse last week that killed seven people showed just how weak the enforcement of safety rules and building codes are in New York City. In addition to the inspector who was arrested for faking a report on the inspection of the crane that collapsed on the East Side, engineer Jose Vargas was arraigned this month for failing to complete a final inspection on a discount store in the Bronx. The building collapsed unexpectedly during a fire in 2006, killing two firefighters. The Buildings Dept. is conducting a review of 29 other buildings that Vargas never signed off on.
The Buildings Dept. said that it issued 52,000 construction permits in 2007 under a directive that requires final inspections by an architect or engineer. It also admits that it has no idea how many final inspections were actually done. Critics say the lack of oversight is systemic and not limited to a few bad apples.
Separately, the Buildings Dept. has only assigned two inspectors to investigate the 250 cranes in the city after last week's collapse, which means it could be six months before the job is done.
Fog of Construction, by Atomische at flickr
Tagged
Architects
building codes
buildings dept.
collapse
crane
engineers
inspectors
jose vargas
Dave Hogarty
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .