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Judge declines to halt construction of 51-story condo building

Construction of a 51-story condominium building on New York City’s Upper West Side can go on, a state Supreme Court judge ruled.

The building, at 200 Amsterdam Ave., long has been a point of contention with the neighbors. The Municipal Art Society of New York and the Committee for Environmentally Sound Development had requested a temporary restraining order, which the judge rejected.

The city’s Bureau of Standards and Appeals is continuing to deliberate, for a second time, whether the building will violate the New York City zoning code, but the developer isn’t waiting for that ruling.

“We are pleased that the court has dismissed the opposition’s request for a [Temporary Restraining Order] at 200 Amsterdam, consistent with previous decisions in favor of the development by the Department Of Buildings, the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, and the Supreme Court of New York,” said a spokesperson for the developer, according to Curbed NY. “We remain focused on making continued progress on construction to deliver this exceptional building to the neighborhood.”

Opponents to the building contend it isn’t compliant with zoning, but they fear a new study is coming too late to stop construction before it gets too far along.

“I’m disappointed that the court did not stop construction at 200 Amsterdam, which has already exceeded the height that a traditional zoning lot would allow,” the borough president said. “The BSA needs to decide on this issue quickly — we cannot continue to be in limbo while the developer builds more floors.”

Zoning laws are in place for a reason, and anytime a local resident believes they are being violated, they have a right to challenge the building plans. This fate of this condominium tower will be interesting to watch as the case moves forward.

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