88 Utica Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213

The 3-story, 3-unit residential building at 88 Utica Avenue in Crown Heights, owned by David Simon and constructed in 2004, has experienced several recurring maintenance issues over the past few years. Most notably, between 2021 and 2022, there were multiple reports of unsanitary conditions including mold, water leaks (both slow leaks and damp spots), and various safety concerns. The building faced significant heat and hot water system failures in November 2021 that affected both individual apartments and the entire building. In September 2022, multiple complaints were filed regarding mold, flooring issues, and damp spots.

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) conducted inspections in response to these complaints, most typically finding no violations, though there were several instances where they could not gain access for inspection. The building has also faced some regulatory scrutiny regarding its structure and safety features. In late 2020, several violations were recorded related to building safety requirements, including issues with door self-closing mechanisms, missing required notices for smoke detector and carbon monoxide requirements, and bedbug reporting requirements. There was an active Environmental Control Board violation from October 2021 regarding unauthorized occupancy of the cellar space, and unauthorized construction work was observed in the cellar area of the building, including partition walls and bathroom installations. Historical records show the building had some rodent inspection issues in 2016, including one failed inspection, though this appears to have been resolved.

The building's bedbug reports from 2020 through 2024 show no infestations recorded since 2018-2019, with the most recent reports indicating zero infested or re-infested units. This suggests a successful handling of past bedbug issues, though the multiple-year requirement for reporting suggests this was once a notable problem requiring ongoing attention. The building's location has generally complied with annual bedbug reporting requirements since 2020, with records showing consistent zero infestation reports in recent years. As of October 2023, the building appears to maintain an active status with no recent major complaints on file, though there are some historical violations regarding building safety notices and unauthorized occupancy that suggest past management and maintenance challenges. The regular pattern of moisture-related complaints and the history of unauthorized cellar modifications indicate ongoing maintenance and regulatory compliance matters that have required management attention over the years.