690 Gerard Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451

690 Gerard Avenue is a 6-story, 78-unit residential building constructed in 1935, currently owned by Steven Finkelstein. The building has faced several significant maintenance challenges in recent years, particularly in 2025, with multiple open Housing Maintenance Code Complaints, including issues related to pests (rodents), plumbing/water supply problems, and water leaks. Housing and Preservation Development (HPD) inspections in 2025 documented numerous unsanitary conditions, particularly regarding garbage/recycling storage and pest infestations, with violations issued that require correction. The building's third-floor apartment (3L) has particularly notable violations from October 2024, including problems with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, door closing mechanisms, and multiple pest infestations.

The property has experienced recurring issues with facade maintenance, as evidenced by multiple Environmental Control Board (ECB) violations related to exterior building facade maintenance and fire escape obstructions, all marked as active with substantial penalties. These include observed deterioration of masonry on both the north and west elevator exposures, as well as obstructions on fire escapes. The building's elevator systems have been a recurring concern, with several complaints recorded between 2020 and 2025 regarding multiple devices, inadequate service, and related safety issues. Water supply and plumbing issues have also emerged as significant concerns, with multiple emergency complaints and violations recorded in 2025.

The building has maintained a relatively stable bedbug situation, with only one reported case in 2022-2023, and has been actively undergoing rodent control measures throughout 2024-2025, as evidenced by multiple bait applications and inspections showing rat activity. The property has a history of exterior maintenance and safety concerns, with multiple active violations as of 2024-2025. These include facade deterioration, fire escape obstructions, and various building systems maintenance issues. While some violations have been addressed and closed, there remain significant outstanding issues that require attention. It's important to note that not all reported problems necessarily indicate unsafe conditions, as many complaints have been investigated and closed without finding violations.