Described as the “Bernie Madoff of Landlords”, Steve Croman seems to be turning over a new leaf as he slowly makes improvements on a notorious set of properties in Hell’s Kitchen. However, local politicians, activists and residents are not convinced by his actions, with one saying: “Croman must be removed from the building’s ownership immediately.”
Last October, we reported on the appalling conditions at 351-357 W45th Street, after a group led by David Stuart, President of the HK45/46 St Block Association issued an ultimatum for an immediate, public, multi-agency investigation. “Our community is no longer going to live with drug crime, and the filth, degradation and fear such crimes promulgate!” said Stuart.
Those calls were reacted to by a group led by Council Member Erik Bottcher — which included Stuart, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assembly Member Tony Simone, NYPD’s Midtown North Precinct, the Department of Buildings, the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS), the Office of the Attorney General, NYC Mayor’s Office, NYC Special Prosecutor’s Office and others. All were surprised when Croman turned up to face the music, and all agreed that some actions have happened since October.
We spoke briefly to Croman this week as he arrived at one of the properties on W45th Street. “We’ve basically done all the stuff we were asked to do. We’ve pretty much done everything,” he said.
Croman introduced us to his new super for the building: “Kenny’s moved in here, so he’s living here.” He also said that he’d installed new gates to stop people heading down the stairs under the building and “we put in all new doors on the roof with alarms and locks and lights.” He also pointed to the sidewalk that had been repaired.
When asked about the issues with drug activity at the properties, he said: “The police are working on that actively. We’re working with them and put up all these gates. It’s difficult because a lot of these junkies that come here, they break the door over and over and over.”
Stuart responded to Croman’s claims, saying: “This is definitely not a victory. At best it’s better behavior, but only by the standards of a slumlord-owned derelict building.”
As an example, Stuart described to us the conditions inside one of the buildings that has squatters: “The building hallways and stairs in 353 are covered in human excrement. Multiple witnesses, including electeds and NYPD can attest to this. This comes from the squatters and drug dealers/users, but it’s been accumulating for god knows how long. We saw dried up human feces and feces smeared on the walls on a December 19 site visit, the roof reeks of human waste.”
Stuart has been in regular contact with the Office of the Attorney General, along with the Court Appointed Monitor who has had a supervisory role of Croman since his release from prison and payment of an $8m fine. Stuart believes the Monitor is not fulfilling her role. “If there is a Consent Decree that outlines what Croman must do/comply with, and there is a Monitor empowered to ensure compliance and enact consequences for his non-compliance, why did the community and elected leaders have to get involved to force Croman to make basic repairs covered by the Consent Decree?” he said.
“Landlords are required to provide tenants with safe, well-maintained buildings. That has not happened here, and although we’ve seen some progress in recent months, there are still real problems that need to be addressed,” CM Bottcher told us by email in response to Croman’s interview. ”We’ve been working hard on this and will continue to do so until these tenants have the safety and quality of life that they deserve.”
Senator Hoylman-Sigal said: “Though Steve Croman has claimed to have addressed the safety concerns raised by the HK45/46 Block Association, the number of complaints my office is still receiving about his buildings does not give me confidence that he is doing enough to protect his tenants. A live-in super and new locks are too little and too late, as my constituents are still witnessing a disturbing amount of illicit activity, including drug dealing, taking place in their buildings.”
He added, “There is no reason that those living in the heart of Manhattan should fear for their safety in their own homes. I will continue to push all landlords in my district, and the NYPD, to do everything possible to ensure that tenant’s rights and well-being are protected.”
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One long time resident told us, on condition of anonymity: “All of what Croman said is true, but the only reason that all of this has been done is because of the biweekly meetings with the city officials and the police. I am convinced that none of this would’ve been done if they did not have to be accountable for their actions.
“Also as far as the squatter situation is, it was recorded on tape last week that the SUPER was offering the squatter money to do work for him. This is absolutely outrageous. On one hand, they say they’re getting the squatters out and on the other hand, they are paying them. It can’t be both ways,” the resident said. “My feeling is that if these meetings with the city officials stop, they will also stop doing anything.”
“The residents at 351-357 West 45th Street have suffered under the terrible management of Steve Croman for years,” said Assembly Member Simone. “Even after six years of a consent decree where Croman’s actions, or lack thereof, are supposed to be regularly monitored, tenants have to live among trespassers and squatters, have experienced a disgusting lack of cleanliness, and due to an abysmal lack of security, have consistently felt unsafe in their own building.
“Croman has proven that he does not have the capability to manage these buildings to the standard that the residents deserve, and I believe that he should no longer own these buildings if he cannot take care of them, and the people who live inside them. Croman must be removed from the building’s ownership immediately,” added Simone.
Were it not for DAVID STUART holding feet to the fire by issuing a public call for action, none of this would be happening. Working with him for two years on the deplorable 410/412 W. 46th street crisis made it clear that without his and his block association continuing to add community pressure, the can would have been kicked down the road for another 12 years.
Though I see many patting themselves on the back, I am hoping that knowing David and those of us in the community who turn up the heat are watching, maybe…just maybe…these landlords will get the message.
The message that the officials, elected and others will make their lives as miserable as they do for their tenants.
Dear friends, Croman has been NOTORIOUS for decades. I’m glad to see this issue has finally been resurrected. Let’s see if those who are featured and quoted this article keep it up, don’t act for cameras or news reports and put this guy out to pasture.
Good for you DAVID and W45/46!!!
About time Hell’s Kitchen tell the Mayor and Scum lords, “The days of landlords and scum lords getting over in Hell’s Kitchen are OVER. We don’t do slumlords in HK.”
Maybe this seems less important, but it may gain more press.
There have been so many instances of dogs getting sick or needing to completely avoid walking past these buildings due to the filth and empty drug viles and used needle litters all over the sidewalk of these properties.
Not only is this a nuisance and possible hazard for us neighbors, but it could be far more detrimental for our 4-legged family members.
I worked for this company for a few years and was not paid for overtime or side jobs they give you like emptying out units and business connected to his property I was talked to in a hostile and aggressive tone and always told the property was not up to standards no matter how clean it was ,the list is neverending I was fired because I spoke my rights I was assigned 3bldgs and had to do 9 bldgs because of under staffing and mr.crowman words were you work by the hour not by the bldg so if it was 40 bldgs in 8hrs that’s what would have to be done smh impossible
Anyone ever been to the basements of these buildings and seen a problem with the structural integrity?
Tip: have someone inspect.