ELMHURST — Comptroller Scott Stringer has denied the permanent contract for the Pan Am shelter on Queens Boulevard for the third time, citing safety concerns at the former hotel.
Samaritan Village, which is currently operating the shelter under a temporary contract, first applied for a permanent contract in May.
It was then rejected by Stringer, who said conditions inside the 216-room family shelter were unsafe.
The contract was denied again in July for the same reasons, he said.
After Samaritan Village and the Department of Homeless Services re-applied in August for the third time, the comptroller's office didn't find many improvements.
"We have asked the Department of Homeless Services to revise its plan to address outstanding health and safety violations," agency spokesman Eric Sumberg said in a statement.
The building, at 7900 Queens Blvd., currently has two open violations with the Department of Buildings regarding facade construction, and five open violations with the Environmental Control Board for issues including working on a new sprinkler system without a permit.
“We’ve submitted everything we need to have this contract registered, and we’re confident this site is safe for residents,” a DHS spokesman said.
Samaritan Village did not respond to a request for comment.
