City Orders BK Homeowners Inspect Walls They Say MTA Owns: Report

FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN — The city told owners of Flatbush homes on the Q/B line they need to fix subway walls they say they do not own or face steep fines, according to a report.

Department of Building Commissioner Melanie La Rocca sent homeowners order letters demanding they provide technical reports on the retaining walls next to the above-ground subway tracks, THE CITY reported Thursday.

But residents report the walls don't belong to them, they belong to the MTA.

“The city just totally screwed up,” attorney and East 16th Street homeowner Blake Morris told THE CITY. “And got everybody really crazy because the notice of violation has very serious penalties for noncompliance.”

Homeowners argued the MTA is responsible for maintaining the walls because of agreements made with New York State when the Q/B line was built at the turn of the century, and that inspecting walls on an active subway line would be dangerous, according to the report.

DOB spokesperson Andrew Rudansky argued the homeowners are responsible for ensuring their homes don't endanger the public under a 2008 city law that requires homeowners with retaining walls to inspect them every five years.

Said Rudansky, “Keeping New York City safe and ensuring our buildings aren’t a danger to residents and neighbors requires property owners to do their part."

Read the full report here.