397 Herkimer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11213

The three-story, three-unit building at 397 Herkimer Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, owned by Joel Waldman, has experienced several notable maintenance and safety issues since its construction in 2005. Most recently, in early 2024, there was a carbon monoxide detector safety complaint that HPD was unable to inspect due to access issues, and in mid-2023, plumbing water supply issues were resolved through occupant verification.

Of particular concern are multiple open violations from October 2022 related to Unit 2, including defective carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, excessive hot water temperatures, and an active insect infestation, along with various plumbing issues including leaky faucets and bathroom concerns. The building has experienced recurring rodent issues, with multiple complaints between 2019 and 2021 showing varying degrees of infestation, though recent 2024 inspections have passed. Previous emergencies included a 2022 heat and hot water issue that was inspected but had no violations issued.

The property has shown some improvement in recent years, with no bedbug infestations reported in the annual inspections since 2020, and successful rodent inspections in 2024. A maintenance inspection in 2023 identified a plastic device around a sprinkler head in the public hall as a violation that needed correction. While the building has maintained some basic requirements through various inspections, the combination of open violations from 2022 and historical maintenance issues suggests ongoing challenges with building systems and safety compliance.