Columbus Village could be halted

The Buildings Department has threatened to shut down the construction of Columbus Village in 10 business days if developers do not respond to charges that the Upper West Side project has violated zoning regulations.

“At this time the permits are active and the developer has the opportunity to address these zoning issues within the 10-day time frame,” the department said in a statement “If the developer does not do so, then the buildings department will revoke the permit.”

In two days, a court will hear a lawsuit against the Buildings Department that claims the project on both sides of Columbus Avenue, between 97th and 100th streets, has committed several zoning violations. The project would include at least 320,000 square feet of retail space and five residential towers of up to 29 stories.

The lawsuit claims the Buildings Department failed to respond to an appeal by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer to determine the project’s legality. Jack Lester, the plaintiff’s attorney, said in a statement that the lawsuit “compelled the DOB to finally act after months of delay.” The DOB recently issued a report blaming the developer for the collapse of a retaining wall at the site last summer, which caused an evacuation of the adjacent building. TRD