15-year-old sidewalk shed finally removed under new NYC program Get Sheds Down

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Scaffolding is so prevalent across New York City that sometimes we forget that it isn't a permanent part of the building to which it's attached.

In some cases, it had seemed like city officials forgot that, too.

Mayor Eric Adams is pushing to change that with his new program called Get Sheds Down.

Wednesday morning, he was on hand to take down what is believed to be the longest-standing scaffolding shed at a city-owned building.

The shed at 520 First Ave. in Manhattan was estimated to be 15 years old.



Get Sheds Down aims to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers and return valuable sidewalk space back to the public

"As we get sidewalk sheds down citywide, we need to be the change we want to see. That starts with the shed that's darkened the doorway of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for over 15 years," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "The people who walk through the doors at OCME are frequently in profound need -- or serve people who are. By maintaining this building we show respect to the work done inside, as we continue to fire on all cylinders to get sheds down."

James Oddo, NYC's Department of Buildings commissioner, said there is no excuse for a shed to be up for 15 years, adding that city officials are making it a priority to get rid of longstanding sheds in the interest of public safety.

"We can't just talk the talk, the city has to walk the walk, and that means our sheds that are up with no underlying work being done that are up for years and years they have to come down," Oddo said. .

According to the city, nearly 270 longstanding sheds have been removed, 14 of which were city-owned.



The City Council is looking at legislation that would require businesses to show every 90 days that they are doing work that requires scaffolding, and trying to work on additional incentives for building owners. They are also looking to require the use of sheds that are nicer looking.

"As the commissioner mentioned we have been working in partnership across all agencies in city government to go through a very thorough audit of city owned sheds and figure out what needs to happen to get those down and lead by example," said Ya-Ting Liu, NYC chief public realm officer

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