CityRealty Insider > Drawing Blanks: Building Numbers Go Missing in Manhattan

Drawing Blanks: Building Numbers Go Missing in Manhattan

APRIL 15, 2010

A recent news item that may seem obvious to frustrated pedestrians has been discovered by Manhattan borough president Scott M. Stringer: A significant number of Manhattan addresses lack visible building numbers.

As anyone who has tried in vain to find an address that doesn’t seem to exist in this otherwise civilized city can attest, it’s a frustrating situation. What amazed Mr. Stringer—after a recent study revealed the issue—is that the problem has been allowed to persist in modern times. The worst offenders: Eighth Avenue from 42nd to 59th Street (where 58 percent of doors are numberless). Other major offenders: Columbus Avenue from 67th to 83rd Street; Greenwich Street from Murray to Spring Street; and 181st Street between Cabrini and Amsterdam.

The oversight is actually a code violation. According to the city’s administrative code, written nearly 100 years ago, buildings must display numbers or risk a $25 fine. Mr. Stringer is proposing that the Department of Sanitation—occasionally called upon to address non-garbage-related neighborhood issues—be able to enforce the code and urging the City Council to mandate that building numbers be posted on all building doors including those located on side streets.

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