161 Russell Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222

The three-unit, three-story building at 161 Russell Street in Greenpoint, owned by Ted Golaszewski, has experienced several notable issues over recent years, with the most significant concerns centering around heat and hot water services. Multiple emergency heat/hot water complaints were filed between 2021 and 2022, including two instances in February 2021 where HPD was unable to gain access to conduct inspections, and other infrastructure concerns such as lighting (2021) and water supply issues (2021). A comprehensive inspection in August 2022 revealed several class A violations related to building safety and maintenance requirements, including the need for proper notices regarding gas leaks, smoke detector requirements, and carbon monoxide detection device requirements.

The inspection also identified maintenance issues with fire-retardant plaster and paint conditions in the third-story public hall, though all these violations were certified as corrected by September 2022. More recent records show consistent rodent inspection results, with the latest inspections in January 2025 and February 2024 passing, though there was one failed inspection in January 2018 for "Other Reasons." The building has maintained an active bedbug reporting history from 2019 through 2023, with no reported infestations in any of the documented periods. An illegal conversion complaint was filed in July 2018, but the inspector was unable to gain access for verification.

The property has experienced recurring issues with heating and infrastructure systems, particularly between 2021 and 2022, though there have been no reported heat-related complaints since early 2022. The building's management has demonstrated responsiveness to regulatory requirements, as evidenced by the correction of numerous violations identified in the 2022 inspection, including the posting of required safety notices. The consistent passing rates of recent rodent inspections suggest improvements in pest management, and the building's bedbug reporting history shows effective management of this particular issue, with no reported cases since 2020. While the building's maintenance history reveals periods of significant infrastructure challenges, particularly regarding heating systems, the absence of recent complaints and the resolution of major violations suggest an improved maintenance response in recent years.