68-17 Forest Avenue, Queens, NY 11385

This two-family house at 68-17 Forest Avenue, built in 1910 and currently owned by Herman Cortez, has experienced numerous significant maintenance and pest control issues over the past several years. Most notably, between late 2022 and mid-2024, there were persistent rodent and insect-related concerns documented through multiple 311 service requests, with seven complaints specifically about food establishment conditions involving "Rodents/Insects/Garbage." The building underwent various rodent control measures, with inspections showing both rat activity and successful compliance passing in 2022 and 2024.

Between February and June 2023, multiple instances of bait application were recorded. The property also faced some structural and regulatory challenges in 2021, including an emergency plumbing issue in September 2021 and multiple Department of Buildings complaints regarding unauthorized work.

In March 2021, a significant violation was issued for "Work Without A Permit" related to unauthorized commercial modifications, resulting in a $2,500 fine. Additionally, there was one Housing Maintenance Code complaint regarding water supply issues that was resolved in October 2021. Fortunately, more recent inspections show improving conditions, with the most recent January 2024 rodent inspection passing with no violations, and a bedbug report from July 2023 showing no infestations or eradication requirements for the previous year (November 2021 - October 2022).