A new report reveals the 35-story Turkish consulate building in Manhattan, at the center of a federal criminal case against Mayor Eric Adams, lacks legally required safety approvals. The report by the city comptroller's office highlights serious management deficiencies at the Department of Buildings that have allowed thousands of buildings to operate without valid certificates of occupancy. Comptroller Brad Lander, who is challenging Adams in the Democratic primary, criticizes the expedited approval process for the Turkish House building prior to a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The 35-story Turkish consulate building in Manhattan at the heart of a federal criminal case against Mayor Eric Adams is still missing legally required safety approvals, according to a new report that details a “staggering” number of structures without valid permits in New York City.
But Comptroller Brad Lander, who is challenging Adams in the Democratic primary for mayor, said the First Avenue consulate building was especially egregious because it was the only structure of its size granted an initial temporary certificate without an approved fire-prevention plan., known as the Turkish House or Turkevi Center, ahead of a September 2021 visit from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
City law prohibits structures from opening without a valid certificate of occupancy, or a temporary certificate lasting 90 days, from the buildings department. A spokesperson for the agency said inspectors do not vacate a building if the temporary certificate lapses, unless there are specific hazards.
After issuing the first temporary certificate of occupancy for the Turkish House on Sept. 17, 2021, the Department of Buildings granted 12 subsequent 90-day approvals, according to public records. But buildings officials then denied a request for a new temporary certificate on Sept. 26, 2024 — the same day Adams was charged with bribery and other offenses.
NYC Mayor Adams Turkish Consulate Safety Violations Department Of Buildings
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