Ben Shaoul Needs a Lift

The Villager has new details on why the Board of Standards & Appeals reversed the Buildings Department's decision to permit rooftop additions to a pair of East Village tenements (buildings owned by controversial landlord Ben Shaoul): "Under the Multiple Dwelling Law, the new sixth and seventh floors on the E. Fifth St. building required an elevator to be added to the building, but the owner did not install one, the appeal noted. The B.S.A. ruled that the Buildings Department had no authority to grant waivers to the law and ordered the alteration permits reversed." It's still unclear whether or not Shaoul will be forced to tear down the additions. [Villager; previously]