City-Owned Scaffolding Shed Comes Down After More Than a Decade

After more than ten years, one of New York City’s oldest scaffolding sheds has finally been removed. The shed located at 2720 Broadway, on the Upper West Side, was dismantled on June 18, having originally been erected in 2012. This particular shed was one of around 500 similar structures owned by the city.

However, the removal was only partial; another section of scaffolding remains in place around the corner on 104th Street. This area is surrounded by a fence filled with portable toilets and construction equipment, obstructing part of the street.

Adding to the frustration, just days after the Broadway shed was taken down, a large new scaffolding structure appeared at a nearby building. It feels like the problem has just shifted a few feet, as it continues to attract individuals sleeping in storefronts and setting up makeshift markets.

Business owners and local residents have expressed their dissatisfaction. “I was so relieved when that shed was gone,” remarked Fernando Andrade, a cobbler in the area. “But it’s disheartening to see they’re putting another one up. I hope it won’t be around long,” he added with a sigh.

Ali Abdul, who works at a local bodega, is also troubled by the situation. “It doesn’t make sense,” he commented. “People are sleeping here at night—like two or three homeless folks.”

This new shed is only a block away from West End Avenue, which ironically has managed to avoid such unsightly scaffolding for some time now. Residents have noticed that this continuous cycle of erecting and removing sheds feels like a game of “whack-a-mole.” Many joked about the Broadway shed being a prime example of this issue.

“We felt so relieved when it came down, and then, bam, another one is up in no time,” said Linda Wright, a 73-year-old neighbor. “It’s not just an eyesore; it turned into a shelter for homeless people. It smells bad and creates a real nuisance.”

The remaining scaffolding on Broadway is expected to be dismantled by August, according to the city’s Design Department. They explained that work is continuing to restore the façade on the south side of the building, where the remaining shed stands. “We had to keep it up to finish that part of the project,” the department stated.

Yet, some residents are left wondering why this issue has persisted for almost 15 years since the shed was first erected. “We moved here ten years ago, and we’ve been waiting for this to come down,” shared Michael Dulin, 68. “We were told it would be gone in a few weeks—it’s been here for a decade!”

Dulin continues, “It’s really a shame for the city. I’ve visited places like Rome and Paris, and you just don’t see this kind of obstruction there.”

Scaffolding currently covers about 400 miles of sidewalks across the city, consisting of over 8,600 structures—a distance equivalent to reaching Cleveland. In response, Mayor Eric Adams has initiated a program dubbed “Get Sheds Down,” pledging to address the ongoing issue since 2023.

This past April, he signed several bills aimed at tackling the problem, including measures that would shorten scaffolding permit durations from several years to just three months and impose increased fines for excessive shed usage.

However, some residents feel that perhaps the city should focus on its own properties first. “He can start with a city-owned building,” remarked a local resident. “Let’s see what they can do.”