Landlord Can Convert Freight Elevator from Manual to Automatic

Landlord asked the DHCR for permission to convert a freight elevator from manual to automatic operation. The DRA ruled for landlord. Tenants appealed, claiming that they didn't receive copies of certain information that landlord submitted to the DRA. They also argued that building security would be reduced by the absence of an elevator operator and that the conversion would cause the passenger elevators to be used for freight hauling. The DHCR ruled against tenants after sending them copies of the documents they hadn't received previously and allowing them to comment. There was no proof that the passenger elevators would now be used for freight hauling. And the manual freight elevator wasn't currently staffed on a regular basis. A building porter was called to operate the freight elevator when needed. The porter would still work at the building. And the building had a doorman. Landlord's proposal didn't call for any reduction in building security.

445 East 80th Street: DHCR Adm. Rev. Docket No. UK410035RT (3/19/09) [3-pg. doc.]