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'Severe' Rat Infestation Continues in TriBeCa Lot for More Than a Year

 A Department of Health official said several spots in TriBeCa, including 403 Greenwich St., an empty lot that sits next to Wolfgang's Steakhouse, are suffering from rat infestations.
TriBeCa's Rat Problem
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TRIBECA — Rats continue to infest a long-vacant lot in TriBeCa.

The lot at 403 Greenwich St. — which sits between upscale Wolfgang’s Steakhouse and specialty coffee shop Kaffe 1668continues to have a “severe” rat infestation more than a year after the property owners were first issued a violation for the rodents, a Department of Health official said.

“The same severe problems continue,” said Caroline Bragdon, a research scientist with the DOH's division of veterinary and pest control services. “It remains an empty lot with rat holes.”

Residents and neighboring restaurants have long complained about the giant rats scurrying across the street from inside and out of the lot.

At a recent CB1 meeting, Bragdon said the lot’s owner, 403 Enterprise LLC, had been issued at least three violations since late 2014, which come with an escalating price tag. The first fine was for $300 and the latest one, issued in April, was for $1,200. 

While at least two of the fines have been paid, Bragdon said the problem hasn't gotten any better.

“We can keep fining them, but we’d rather fix the issue,” she said.

Stefano Farsuro, one of the owners of the lot, said they have “paid thousands of dollars in exterminator fees” to fix the infestation to no avail.

“Unfortunately, we have a lot that sits between restaurants, which have garbage that attracts rats,” said Farsuro, who is also principal with TriBeCa development company the Colonadde Group. “We are an easy target to fine.”

Both neighboring eateries received an “A” grade on their last health inspection and never had any violations related to rats, according to DOH records.

But the daily garbage from the restaurants likely became a food source for the rats burrowed into the unpaved lot next door, Bragdon said.

“The best way to cure the problem is to start building,” Farsuro said.

The lot has been empty since 2013, when a two-story brick building was demolished to make way for a nine-story condo tower. After years of delay, the project is finally slated to start construction in the spring, Farsuro said.

Bragdon told the CB meeting that the rat problem could be curbed by covering the lot in gravel or with regularly treating the rat hole with pesticide.

The vacant lot isn't the only problem in the neighborhood. Bragdon said a residential building at 29 Harrison St. was also recently given a violation for its rat infestation. The owner of that property did not return request for comment.

There were also other problem areas along Greenwich Street that Bragdon said DOH had worked to curb with rat treatments.

She asked residents to call 311 and Community Board 1 when they spot rats.