Partial Removal of Long-Standing City-Owned Scaffolding in Upper West Side

A city-owned scaffolding shed that had been in place for over a decade on Upper West Side has been partially dismantled. The structure at 2720 Broadway, erected in 2012, was taken down on June 18, but only halfway. While the main shed was removed, a portion on W. 104th Street remains, still surrounded by fencing, porta-potties, and construction equipment, blocking part of the street.

The remaining scaffolding is part of ongoing facade renovation work, delayed due to late shipments of materials needed for the restoration. The Department of Design and Construction has announced that the remaining shed is expected to be fully removed by August.

Despite this recent change, residents and local business owners continue to express frustration. Just days after the partial removal, a new scaffolding shed was erected on a neighboring building, perpetuating the issues associated with scaffolding clutter: homelessness, disorder, and visual blight. A local cobbler, Fernando Andrade, lamented that the neighborhood has suffered for years, with the scaffolding only coming down temporarily before being reinstalled. “It’s been here ten years,” he said, calling the situation “dreadful” and a “blight on the city.”

Another worker, Ali Abdul, noted increased homelessness, with people sleeping under the scaffolding at night. The problem is aggravated by the city’s extensive scaffolding network, stretching over 400 miles—enough to connect New York and Cleveland. Recent legislation has sought to curb this issue, including shorter permit durations and stricter inspection cycles.

However, some residents believe the city should prioritize cleaning up its own properties first. Lisa Zaslow remarked, “He can start with his city-owned buildings. Let’s see what happens.”