139 Newark Avenue: Shades of Gray

A follow up to the original post about façade falling from the building at 139 Newark Ave., you would think that was enough. But stuff is still happening with this seemingly semi-safe building. Notice the sidewalk, see the two different tones of gray. They’re similar, but not exact. The gun metal concrete gray color scheme came with the Summer-long streetscaping project. See that the shade in of the sidewalk in directly adjacent to the building (right under the orange warning to fire fighters not to enter the building in case of fire), see how shiny it is—it was just recently painted when I snapped this shot. The gray does blend better than the more beige, old concrete—but why this faux streetscape side? Well, the cop informed that there were some buildings that could not be streetscaped, the sidewalk directly in front—the sidewalk sections directly adjacent to the building—is above a foundation that is too old to withstand the rigors of replacement. There are buildings other than 139 Newark Avenue sidewalk that also have painted over faux streetscaping. Most of the others are like 139 Newark, empty, fallow, stores haven’t been in there for a few years. (No wonder all 99 cents stores charge more than 99 cents, there’s no competition!) The police officer told me that replacing the sidewalk was now the responsibility of the building owners, not the city. I do not know if that means the sidewalk must be replaced by the owners eventually; or that they must replaced if the building is torn down. Some of the building foundations cannot withstand replacing a sidewalk, reassuring isn’t it?

But shades of gray are not the only 139 Newark Avenue story. There’s also scaffolding. See. Saw the guys putting it up.

How nice the scaffolding frames the spray painted orange warning to the firemen not to enter the building in case of fire.

A week or so before, I snapped pictures of the interior, through the glass of course. There are plans and permits and such, something about six studios, I don’t know if that means residential or not. Just what we need, more condos! Actually, I wish the developers and owners well, as I do the politicians and city officials who approved this project. I also hope that safety of the public was the first consideration in approval and the first priority of the everyone involved.