Magic Johnson’s firm asked to drop contractor at Brooklyn Heights condo

From left: Magic Johnson, rendering of 20 Henry Street and Councilman Steve Levin

Magic Johnson’s real estate development firm, Canyon Johnson Urban Funds, is being criticized for hiring Leviathan Construction Management, a company with a history of safety violations. Councilman Steve Levin slammed the former basketball legend’s company for tapping Leviathan to turn a former candy factory at 20 Henry Street into an upscale condominium with 39 units. “They have not had a good history in terms of safety on their work sites,” Levin told the Daily News. “I want to see a responsible contractor.” The Department of Buildings gave Leviathan a partial work order Dec. 30 for unsafe scaffolding at the site, for which the company faces $35,000 in fines. Since 2008, Leviathan has racked up 180 violations with the DOB on other projects around the city. Levin wrote to Canyon last month, urging them to replace Leviathan, but Canyon refused. “Canyon carefully selected Leviathan at the outset… They have carefully reviewed the issues raised and are satisfied that Leviathan’s safety record not only meets, but exceeds that of their peer group,” the company said in a statement. [NYDN]