163 Central Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221

The 5-unit, 3-story building at 163 Central Avenue in Bushwick, owned by Steve Arroyo, has experienced several significant maintenance and safety issues in recent years. Most notably, there have been persistent problems with door closures, as evidenced by three violations from the 2024 inspection related to defective hinges on self-closing doors affecting apartments 1 and 4, with one violation still marked as open. The building has also faced heat and hot water issues, with multiple complaints in November 2019, though these were not fully investigated by HPD due to access issues.

A concerning pattern of inspection violations is currently active, with the Department of Buildings citing failure to file required external low-pressure inspections from 2018 through 2023, representing multiple years of non-compliance. The property has undergone several safety inspections and rectifications over the years. Between 2020 and 2023, there were multiple violations related to bedbug reporting requirements, though the most recent 2024 report indicates zero infested units.

The building's fire safety systems were addressed in 2012, when violations noted missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in apartment 4, though these were certified as corrected in 2024. Rodent activity has been a recurring issue, with recent inspections in 2024 showing rat activity and bait applications, though a 2025 inspection resulted in a passed compliance designation. The building's age (built in 1931) and classification as an Old Law Tenement are consistent with its history of maintenance challenges, though recent inspections indicate some improvements in compliance, particularly regarding bedbug reporting and door safety systems.