Letter to FDNY and DOB Requesting Information on Turkish House’s Certificate of Occupancy
Commissioner Robert S. Tucker
Fire Department of the City of New York
9 Metrotech Center, 8th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Commissioner James S. Oddo
Department of Buildings
280 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Re: Turkish House
Dear Commissioners Tucker and Oddo,
The allegations detailed in last week’s unsealed federal indictment against the Mayor raise serious concerns regarding the approval of the Turkevi Center’s (“Turkish House”) certificate of occupancy without full compliance with safety protocols. It remains unclear whether the building, identified by a senior fire official as “not safe to occupy”, has been properly inspected since 2021, in accordance with applicable building and fire codes.
Our office is requesting information as detailed in the Request for Information below. Specifically, we are seeking information concerning inspections and approvals issued to occupy Turkish House.
The NYC Fire Department and NYC Department of Buildings must take urgent action to confirm that all fire safety measures, including fire suppression systems, alarms, and emergency exits, meet all applicable building and fire codes to ensure the health and safety of all occupants, visitors, and adjacent buildings.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Brad Lander
New York City Comptroller
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Pursuant to the Comptroller’s Authority under Chapter 5 of the City Charter and Title 3, Chapter 3, of the New York City Administrative Code, our office requests records related to the Turkevi Center (“Turkish House”), located at 821 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017.
Please provide the following approval and inspection records, that you maintain or possess, related to Turkish House, between January 1, 2017 and September 30, 2024:
1. Copies of any and all inspection records.
2. Copies of any and all violation records.
3. Copies of any and all complaint records.
4. Copies of any and all temporary certificates of occupancy records.
5. Copies of any and all certificates of occupancy records.
Please provide the responsive documents no later than October 14, 2024.
Questions and responsive documentation and information may be addressed to Maura Hayes-Chaffe, Deputy Comptroller for Audit, via email to mhayes1@comptroller.nyc.gov or telephone 212-669-8459.