1. Why was the restoration contractor (Penza) using heat guns on an 1863 wooden structure? Was the use of heat guns included in the application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission?
A. Mr. Penza did not initially want to use heat guns. When the church found that removing the paint by acid would be very costly, the LPC said they did say they did not favor the use of heat, but it would be allowed due to the fact that they could not give any money to help with the restoration. The church does not hold Mr. Penza responsible in any way for the accident.
2. At least 3 witnesses claim there was no water pumped on the fire after the fire trucks arrived for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Why was there no water pressure for so long? Why is this being denied by the fire department?
A. The church can't comment on this.
3. Why did demolition take place beginning at 5AM Saturday? Why was no consideration given to shoring up the walls and saving the stained glass windows? Was the Landmarks Preservation Commission involved in an evaluation of whether salvage could take place prior to demolition?
A. Borough President Molinari initially asked the S.I. Dept. of Buildings if the walls could be braced until the windows could be saved, but the Commissioner of buildings said the walls were too unstable and dangerous and they had to come down immediately. He would not take responsibility in case of an accident.
4. Why did the city demolition contractor (Russo) remove the church doors and return them only after the police were contacted and someone identified the truck they were removed in? (Russo stated that he had removed the doors for storage in Long Island City.)
A. He did not have any authorization to do so and that is why he returned them.
5. Why was the restoration contractor (Penza) back on the site during demolition removing a stained glass window, which was then dropped and destroyed?
A. He was back at the request of the church to try and save two small windows. The commissioner would not allow the church to try to save the others. One window was accidentally dropped, the other one was saved and is in storage along with the lower parts of several other windows. In addition, Mr. Penza returned to try and salvage his scaffolding which had been around the church, however most of it had been stolen in the interim (while the site was under police supervision).
6. What can the community and preservation groups do to help the Church rebuild at the site? Will there be a program and planning phase for the rebuilding where the community can participate? Can the needs of the Church's ministry be met and there still be input from the community and preservationists?
A. This is no longer an issue, the church has been rebuilt and the community did participate in all phases along with the church members.
Lastly, the Brighton Heights Reformed Church sincerely thanks Mr. Penza for his help and highly recommends all his work.
Return to Preservation League of Staten Island: Issues Raised by the Fire