188 Madison Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216

The three-story, four-unit building at 188 Madison Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Norman Dodd, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues in recent years. Most notably, in February 2023, there was a series of electrical problems including power outages and lighting issues, along with complaints about heat and hot water problems.

Earlier in January 2023, safety concerns were raised regarding smoke detectors, sprinklers, and carbon monoxide detectors, though no violations were issued upon HPD inspection. The building has a documented history of pest issues, with multiple complaints about rodent activity between 2021 and 2023, including an inspects showing rat activity in June 2022, though more recent inspections in 2024 and 2025 have passed without issues. Of particular concern is an active violation from January 2023, with a penalty of $60,000, regarding the illegal conversion of a former single-family dwelling into four SRO units, including evidence of individual locked rooms with personal belongings and appliances.

The building has also faced various plumbing issues in 2020, including multiple complaints about sink problems and water leaks. Despite these challenges, recent bedbug reports from 2023-2025 show no infestation issues, and the building has consistently passed rodent inspections in 2024 and 2025, suggesting some improvement in pest control efforts. The building's bedbug reporting records for the past five years show no reported infestations during their respective periods, indicating successful eradication efforts when necessary.