The Mysteries of 22-23 Caton Place Revealed!

Have you ever walked by the overgrown jungle that is 22 Caton Place or the eerie, skeletal structure across the street at 23 Caton, and wondered what on Earth is going on? Your questions will soon be answered.

Community Board 7 and Councilman Brad Lander's office will on Feb. 6 hold a meeting to clear up some of the mysteries surrounding various construction projects around the neighborhood.

Here's what we know: 22 Caton was bought last year by the Hudson Companies, who plan to turn the now vacant lot into a seven story, 73 unit apartment complex with architects Kiss + Cathcart. According to Lander's office, developers plan to break ground this spring.

A representative from the Hudson Companies will be on hand at the meeting to field resident's questions.

Across the street, 23 Caton is back in action—again. We reported this summer that the long-stalled development was exhibiting signs of life, with workers once again hammering away on the 103-unit edifice. After a brief hiatus, construction has started up again in the last month.

Designed by architect Karl Fischer and originally dubbed "Caton on the Park," the development has a storied history of setbacks ever since work began in 2004. A long list of complaints tell of everything from unauthorized after-hours work to dangerous scaffolding, and several stop-work orders cited damages to nearby properties.

In 2008, the project's lender filed to foreclose, and the mezzanine lender filed for bankruptcy shortly thereafter. When the bank responsible for the original mortgage loan failed, construction on the development ground to a halt entirely.

But perhaps the worst is over. You can take a look at the development's new work permits here. Lander's office is in the process of securing more information on the space in time for the meeting. 

Finally, representatives from the School Construction Authority will be on hand to allay concerns about yet another large-scale project occurring down the road, this one at 701-711 Caton Ave., the future site of P.S./I.S. 437. A meeting in August revealed that residents are already sharpening their pikes in preparation for the parking and traffic melee they're certain the 105,000 square-foot primary and middle school will bring.

Got all that? Good. The meeting will take place on Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the International Baptist Church, located at 312 Coney Island Ave. See you there.