In a prophylactic move, Zip112, the “legal” hostel at 112 North 6th Street has decided to close its doors before the city DOB inspectors return and potentially close it down for good.

Zip112 was spared from closure during the city’s initial inspection when the owner was able to convince a city inspector that a ladder hung off the 5th floor wooden deck constituted a second means of egress. Think about that – a fifth-floor walk-up apartment with no CO for residential use was deemed legal because there was a ladder – not a fire escape, a ladder – leading from a wooden (i.e., combustible) deck. That was their second means of egress?

Maybe someone should speak to that inspector?