Rockland's New Codes Office Targets Illegal, Unsafe Nightclub

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — An illegal and unsafe nightclub in Spring Valley that's been operating despite two attempts to shut it down in the past 18 months was closed Saturday night while about 100 people were there inside and out.

Now the owner of 42 Grove St. will be hit with at least 10 hazardous code violations by the Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes, the new, temporary enforcement arm of the Spring Valley Building Department.

The nightclub operator is a tenant who ran Sharp Shirt Printing by day and then charged admission for parties by night that included dancers, alcohol and hookahs, said a spokeswoman for the OBC. The tenant throwing the parties is known to authorities and had been cited twice since August 2021 but failed to appear for court appearances.

The OBC received a complaint about the illegal club and inspectors worked with the Spring Valley Police Department to shut it down Saturday.

Due to the tenant's lack of compliance, the OBC is citing the property owner.

They have compiled a list of violations including a violation of use and occupancy, operating without a construction permit — and blocked exits.

"As a former police commander, I remember the arson fire that broke out in the unlicensed Bronx club Happy Land back in 1990, killing 87 people, and will do everything in my power to stop a tragedy of that magnitude from happening here in Rockland County,” said County Executive Ed Day. "As I’ve said repeatedly, we will be ensuring strict enforcement of New York State Building and Fire Code within the Village of Spring Valley and shutting down this illegal club is a prime example of that."

As of Monday, the new Office of Buildings and Codes has conducted 54 inspections and continues to enforce a 30-day moratorium which ends March 15, 2022, on any new permit applications. The moratorium allows the Office to work through the backlog of outstanding inspections and resolve issues that pose an imminent threat to the life, health, and safety of Rockland County residents.

“We are continuing to tackle the outstanding inspections within Spring Valley as quickly as possible which we have been prioritizing based on safety concerns,” said Office of Buildings and Codes Director Ed Markunas.

The Office requests all interested parties submit complaints by calling 845-364-3700 or emailing BuildingsAndCodes@co.rockland.ny.us.