Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson has expressed deep concern following the release of the Department of Buildings’ investigation report into the December 2023 collapse of a residential building at 1915 Billingsley Terrace.

The report revealed that the catastrophic event was caused by a critical error made by licensed construction professionals, an oversight that could have claimed numerous lives.

In a strongly worded statement, Gibson said: “We are deeply disturbed by the findings of the Department of Buildings report, which revealed that the tragic collapse of 1915 Billingsley Terrace in December of 2023 resulted from a ‘mistake’ by licensed construction professionals. This error has forever traumatized a community and could have led to the loss of innocent lives. This tragedy is a stark reminder that mistakes in the design and construction of our buildings have real, devastating consequences. The safety of our residents must always be the highest priority, and we cannot afford to let such negligence go unchecked.”

Gibson emphasized the need for accountability and preventative measures to ensure such incidents do not recur. “As we continue to process the impact of this incident, we will continue to work closely with our colleagues in government and agency partners to ensure an incident like this never happens again in our borough,” she stated. “We are advocating for stronger safeguards, more rigorous oversight, sufficient staffing for the Department of Buildings, and a commitment to accountability so that the safety and well-being of our communities are never compromised.”

Although no fatalities were reported, the collapse displaced many families and highlighted significant gaps in building oversight and inspection processes. Gibson stressed the importance of using this tragedy as a catalyst for systemic improvements. “While we are grateful that there were no fatalities, we must use this incident as a moment of purpose to improve our inspection process to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and families,” she added.

The Borough President also extended her gratitude to elected officials and housing advocates who supported affected families during the challenging period of displacement and relocation.