The collapsed LIC crane

The city has suspended the license of the operator of the Long Island City crane that collapsed on Wednesday, the New York Times reported. In a statement, the city said that the operator, identified as Paul Geer, was trying to lift a 23,900-pound load — over twice the crane’s capacity. The statement says that Geer “was unable to see the materials being lifted and was attempting to lift those materials outside of the approved landing zone.” [more]

The crane collapse at the Azure and New York Crane owner James LommaAn employee of New York Crane, the company that operated the crane that collapsed at the Azure in 2008, plead guilty to criminally negligent homicide and agreed to testify against the owner of the company to avoid a second-degree manslaughter charge that carries a 15-year prison sentence.

According to court documents obtained by the New York Times, Tibor Varganyi was charged with finding a manufacturer to repair the turntables of some of New York Crane’s equipment. He chose a firm in China over two United States companies, because New York Crane owner James Lomma thought the domestic companies couldn’t complete the job fast enough. … [more]

Two corporations, their top executive, and a mechanic have been indicted in the May 30, 2008 91st Street crane collapse incident, which resulted in two deaths and one serious injury. The Manhattan District Attorney has charged New York Crane, J.F. Lomma and owner James Lomma, along with Tibor Varganyi, a former mechanic for New York Crane, with criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter, among other related charges. The defendants were described as “reckless” by District Attorney Cyrus Vance, who said that their alleged negligence at the 333 East 91st Street construction site, the Azure condominium, where Prudential Douglas Elliman agent Ilan Bracha recently took over sales, led directly to the tragic deaths of two construction workers. “We cannot allow individuals and firms to conduct themselves in gross violation of applicable regulations and industry standards,” Vance. “Today’s indictment is an important step not only in holding these defendants accountable for their conduct, but should send a message to the construction industry that profit cannot be put ahead of safety.” Sales launched at the 333 East 91st Street tower more than two years ago, and Bracha told The Real Deal recently that just nine units are currently in contract. At the time of the collapse, 17 contracts had been signed. Sales resumed two weeks later, though whether there was a connection between the decrease in signed contracts and the construction delays that resulted from the accident, is unclear. TRD… [more]

1. City expected to lose $24 million from the mortgage and sales tax
exemptions granted to Atlantic Yards Nets arena [Brooklyn Paper]
2. ML Management Associates moves to new headquarters at 250 West 57th Street [NYT]
3. After 74 years, Manny’s Music closed on Sunday [NYT]
4. Planners say new concert hall in Coney Island would be quieter than the existing bandshell [NYDN]
5. City expands available funding for charter school construction to $3.8 billion [Post]
6. $25 million Tribeca home comes with private pool [NY Mag]
7. Large number of borrowers who took out $15,000 loans from Fannie Mae defaulted [NYT]
8. Real estate ads move from newspapers to the Web [Ad Age]
9. So far this year, just three homes listed for more than $16 million have sold [NYT]

10. Some buyers use “value price range” instead of one listing price for homes [NYT]

11. New York Crane allegedly knew the crane that collapsed on the Upper
East Side last year was faulty [Gothamist] and the parents of a
construction worker killed will mourn at the site [Newsday]
12. Problems expected for commercial non-performing loans [NMN]
13. Editorial on the Gowanus Canal clean-up [NYT]

14. Living in Greenpoint, Brooklyn [NYT]
15. Queensboro Bridge turns 100 years old [Gothamist]
16. Elad Properties gives tours of the Plaza [NYT]

17. GMAC, former financing arm of General Motors, subleases entire 18th floor of 1177 Sixth Avenue [Crain's]

18. Ex-Lehman Brothers workers move private equity fund to 399 Park Avenue, where Lehman had offices [Crain's]

19. Lucky’s Famous Burgers opening location at 264 West 23rd Street [Crain's]
20. Natasha Richardson’s will includes New York homes [Post]
… [more]