‘Reckless’ construction mistake led to 2023 Bronx building collapse: DOB

MORRIS HEIGHTS, Bronx (PIX11) – A partial building collapse that displaced over 100 people in the Bronx in 2023 was caused by a “reckless” mistake made by an engineer, according to a new Department of Buildings report. 

The Department of Buildings on Monday released its full investigation on the Dec. 11, 2023 collapse at the corner of West Burnside Avenue and Phelan Place. It found that on the day of the collapse, construction workers removed bricks from a crucial, load-bearing column at the corner of the six-story building, sending the property crashing to the ground, according to buildings officials. 

The building’s engineer, Richard Koenigsberg, made a “reckless” mistake when he concluded the column was inessential to the building’s foundation, the DOB’s investigation found. Based on this assumption, construction workers were directed to demolish the column without first installing foundational supports. 

“The bottom line is that licensed construction professionals are supposed to know how to safely repair a building, and failure to implement proper safeguards when removing structural elements of a building shows an unacceptable lapse in judgement,” said DOB Commissioner Jimmy Oddo.

The report details the moments before the collapse, when the owner of the building’s first-floor deli heard “cracking” and evacuated the shop, according to the DOB. Then, the building came crashing down. 

“The partial collapse at 1915 Billingsley Terrace last year shook New Yorkers’ trust in our homes, the professionals entrusted by our regulatory agencies to make repairs, and our city’s protocols to ensure our safety,” said Council Member Pierina Sanchez.

The construction company involved in the partial collapse now faces up to $50,000 in fines, and the engineer is suspended from conducting any facade inspections in New York City for two years, according to city officials. Koenigsberg was also charged a $10,000 fine.

Additional punishments could be down the line for Koenigsberg, buildings officials said.