A building on Vernon Avenue has been ordered fully vacated by the Department of Buildings after part of its roof collapsed, prompting safety concerns and multiple code violations.
DOB inspectors responded to 80 Vernon Ave. in Bed-Stuy, where visible roof damage could be seen through a street-level window.
Officials posted vacate notices on the front door, barring entry until further notice.
Pedestrians passing by the site stopped to observe the damage, with some surprised to learn the building had structural issues.
“I would say about a year ago this was a coffee shop,” one bystander said. “That is kind of nerve-racking. But it’s New York, so any building is going to collapse at any time.”
According to DOB, the building’s owners had been performing work without the necessary permits and had failed to properly maintain the property.
Local residents say it’s a relief that no one was inside when the collapse occurred.
“This is very crazy. Kids are running around here every day,” another neighbor said. “We have to do better.”
The DOB plans to send additional inspectors and will meet with the building’s engineer on-site Thursday to conduct a full assessment.