Construction damage

Excavation at a site of an eight-story residential project at 265 E. Houston St. near Suffolk St. on Thurs., April 1 caused a crack in the four-story building next door at 255 E. Houston St. where a day care center, Action for Progress, is located. No one was in session at the center where cracks in the façade compromised the structural integrity of the building, according to the Department of Buildings. Contractors at the 265 E. Houston St. project detected the cracks next door and alerted the department. The cracks appeared as they were excavating holes for foundation supports for the residential project. The city issued a stop-work order at 265 E. Houston and ordered the developers to restore the structure of 255 E. Houston St., which was ordered closed pending completion of the work.