FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com JANUARY 30, 2014 • THE COURIER SUN 11 Ambulance Corp fi les $13M suit BY LIAM LA GUERRE [email protected] The Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corp recently fi led a lawsuit against its next door neighbor to the tune of $13 million in damages and lost rent. The collapsed building, owned by 78-19 Jamaica Avenue LLC, which was an abandoned furniture store, crumbled on April 12 last year, leaving a hole in the roof and damaging the adjoining ambulance corp structure. “That building next door, because of the negligence of that corporation and others, is a danger to society,” said Angelo A. DiGiangi, general counsel of Community Advocacy Center, which is representing the volunteer ambulance organization pro bono in collaboration with CUNY Law School. “The building looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. If this building continues the way that it is, my client will lose its building.” The Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Senior Center rented space from the volunteer ambulance group, but had to move to a temporary location-- American Legion Post 118-- after the structure was determined unsafe by the city’s Buildings Department. Nearly a year later, the collapsed building still has a gaping hole and mold, elected offi cials said. After much pushing by local politicians, 78-19 Jamaica Avenue LLC recently paid off thousands in fi nes it owed the Department of Buildings and hired an architect, according to Assemblymember Mike Miller and Senator Joseph Addabbo. “It’s disgusting that it took so long to get to this point,” Miller said. “Seniors have been suffering and they want to be back in the ambulance corp. This is their home.” The owner of the property couldn’t be reached for comment as of press time. Despite the recent positive movement, elected offi - The Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corp is suing the owner of the collapsed building next door for $13 million for damages and lost rent. cials are still unsure of when the owner will actually repair the building. “I need for work to be done on the building. That would be positive. Paying the fi nes does nothing THE COURIER/File Photo for seniors or the Woodhaven Volunteer Ambulance Corp,” Addabbo said. “With that gaping hole in the roof, with the snow and ice, that building is only going to get worse.” Checking that earns like savings. BestRate Checking1.00% APY1 Plus, get up to $ 1 5 0 when you open a new checking account.2 Additionally, a BestRate Checking account provides you with: Free online banking and bill pay, Free Mastercard® ATM/Debit card, Free direct deposit and more. For more information or to find a branch near you, call 800.581.2889 or visit www.FlushingBank.com. 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