that Respondents' expert recommended restoring the brick masonry, replacing the roof,
reconstructing a cornice, replacing windows, sealing penetrations through partitions and
ceilings; that the subject premises does not have a certificate of occupancy ("C of O");
that some extant aspects of the subject premises are grandfathered, but not all; that a code
upgrade would be required; that stairs would have to be reconfigured as they are
currently a trip hazard; that Respondents would have to build a second means of egress,
which would result in a loss of one room per floor unless they used a non-combustible
construction type; that Respondents would have to build a ramp or a lift; that
Respondents would have to upgrade the sprinkler system; and that the total repair cost
ranges between $6,027,452 and $7,894,187.
DOB introduced into evidence its engineering report ("DOB's expert's report").
DOB's expert's report stated that the walls of the subject premises are cracked and
bulging; that the floors and stairs sag; that floor joists are rotted; that interior plaster
skylight frames are in poor condition and rusting; that masonry of the chimney is in poor
condition; that there is no roof drainage, such that standing water collects on the roof;
that the use of tar on the roof is a problem; that deferred maintenance is apparent; that the
damage observed is consistent with long-term neglect, particularly with regard to leaks;
that leaks and resultant water damage from [*7]the roof,
skylights, and windows were visible and would have been known; that there was no sign
of foundation movement; that there was no construction adjacent to the subject premises
since 1938; that there was no sign of overstress from use; that 700 square feet of masonry