59-17 70th Street, Queens, NY 11378

This two-family residential building at 59-17 70th Street in Maspeth, owned by Minxi Wang, has experienced several concerning issues in recent years, particularly regarding safety and building code compliance. Most notably, there are ongoing Department of Health and Mental Hygiene investigations as of mid-2024 regarding construction lead dust in common areas, with complaints filed in March and May 2024. The building has multiple active Housing Maintenance Code violations from a May 2022 inspection, including illegal residential use of cellar space with unauthorized plumbing fixtures, an unpermitted cooking space, and occupancy conversion issues.

These violations had significant associated penalties: $12,500 for the illegal cellar conversion and $1,250 for unauthorized exterior modifications. The property has a documented history of heat and hot water issues in early 2021, with multiple complaints showing inadequate heating and excessively hot water (160 degrees) in the second-story apartment, along with carbon monoxide detector violations. These requirements were subsequently addressed through enforcement actions.

Recent inspections have shown consistent difficulties with access for verification of corrections, with inspectors often unable to gain entry during scheduled visits. In addition to the above, there are routine operational concerns such as missing signage (March 2024) and a general cooking gas-related issue (March 2024). The building's history suggests ongoing challenges with unauthorized modifications and compliance with safety regulations, particularly regarding heating systems and building usage.