T
wo years after a devastating parking garage collapse in Lower Manhattan, the owners of the adjacent property are taking drastic action. A four-story mixed-use building at 55 Ann St., home to three apartments and ground-floor retail, is set for demolition.

    The decision comes as no surprise, given the catastrophic consequences of the April 2023 collapse that claimed the life of 59-year-old facility manager Willis Moore and injured five others. The incident led to a city-wide inspection campaign targeting aging parking facilities, with one such property in the East Village now slated for residential redevelopment.

    Records show that Jeffrey Henick, co-owner of the former garage at 57 Ann St., submitted permits this week to demolish the neighboring building. The Henicks acquired both properties in 2014 and 1989, respectively. The collapse prompted a vacate order for 55 Ann St., which remains unresolved despite a partial lifting last year.

    Two open violations related to structural damage from the garage collapse still linger, prompting the Henicks to take action. While their future plans for the two Ann Street parcels remain unclear, one thing is certain: the lives of those affected by the disaster will never be the same.