COMET: Communities of Maspeth & Elmhurst Together
 
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Four years after its construction and 2 years after the first building complaint for illegal occupancy, the infamous "Garage House" of Mazeau Street (57-40 Mazeau Street) has been forcibly vacated by the NYC Department of Buildings.   This was a garage that was converted into a home without permits.   Lately, the property had not only been inhabited, but the front yard was being used to store commercial vehicles in violation of the zoning code.

We commend the Department of Buildings for taking action, but what took you guys so long?
 
 
Remember the house on 58th Avenue in Maspeth that was illegally converted into a Single Room Occupancy for dozens of ex-cons and the Department of Buildings issued a “vacate order” because the house was in violation of the zoning?  Well, it’s been vacant ever since.  Then, all of a sudden, a sign shows up on the front door.   The sign reads, “Attention Occupant, the new owner of this property has asked the agent listed below to determine if the house is vacant or occupied.  Please contact us within 24 hours in order to avoid having locks changed and all personal property removed.  Posted by:  Realty Professionals #1, Broker Luis B. Nunez, Office (718) 296-6050."  The sign mysteriously disappeared less than 24-hours later.  We subsequently found out the house went into foreclosure in late July.  On Wednesday, August 26th, an alert neighbor spotted the broker, Mr. Nunez, who said the bank will be putting the house on the market at a reduced price.  The individual who purchased the property bought it for the inflated price of $710,000 and when the property went into foreclosure about $640,000 was still owed.