An abandoned house near two local elementary schools is concerning neighbors more than ever.
Local residents feel that the house on 990 Rhinelander Avenue between Radcliff and Colden avenues is becoming a health hazard for themselves, as well as P.S. 83 and St. Clare’s.
For some time, the property has been filled with garbage and rats and more recently, a rusting boat has been sitting in the driveway for the last few months without moving.
Joanne Rubino, Community Board 11 member and guidance counselor at P.S. 83, first noticed the poor condition of the house about two years ago. Rubino brought the attention of the home to the community board and then district manger John Fratta.
According to Rubino, the house was quickly cleaned after she and fellow board member Mike Carriere asked the man, assumed to be the owner of the home, if he could remove the garbage from the property.
“We never actually got his name but we asked nicely if he could do something about it and he cleaned it immediately,” Rubino said. “It was only a matter of time before things turned into a mess again around the property but now it’s gotten worse. The house has been in a state of disrepair for years.”
The boat sitting in the driveway has caused damage to the garage door behind it and has broken some of the concrete surrounding it.
According to the New York City Department of Buildings, the storage of the boat in the driveway of a residential home is a zoning violation. The DOB also says that the home is owned by Edward Doino and according to a neighbor, Doino left the house about a year ago when he became fed-up with the high cost of his monthly mortgage.
After Jeremy Warneke took over as CB 11 district manager in February, he began following up on problems at the home after a for-sale sign appeared on the property.
The sign, which was placed by Century 21 Metro Star, located on 2017 Williamsbridge Road, fallen and has been laying on the floor for months.
According to Warneke, the Department of Sanitation issued three summonses on the property on Wednesday, May 25. The tickets have remained on the gate that encloses the driveway since they were issued.
“I have made several phone calls as to what can be done about this property,” Warneke said. “Residents have continued to notify me of the problems around the home. We are hoping to have this resolved quickly.”
Warneke is awaiting further information from the Department of Buildings, Department of Sanitation and the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
