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Mr. Cunningham, stop building those walls.
That was the order from the Department of Buildings, which halted the construction of a controversial house extension that nearly caused a neighborhood revolt.
The unneighborly spat goes back more than five years, but the cold war went nuclear two months ago after Robert and Cheryl Cunningham began building a 60-foot-high cinderblock wall at their home at 123 87th St. The wall is only inches from their neighbors at 127 87th St., Matthew and Jean Gershon.
At the time, neighbors of the quiet tree-lined block stormed Community Board 10 to demand answers from the Department of Buildings, which approved the application.
Sure enough, two months later the permit was revoked.
But the walls aren’t the first neighborly indiscretion, only the most recent.
“The Cunninghams have aggressive dogs, which defecate on our property, and are rude at every chance they get,” said Gershons.
Like most good feuds, this one also has some mystery.
The man who lives at 123 87th St., told The Stoop that his name was not Cunningham, but “John Moore.” Department of Finance records show that “Moore’s” property is indeed owned by the Cunninghams. There is no mention of a John Moore in city records.
Like the walls, this saga isn’t over, only on hold. Gershon believes the “stop-work” order is a good first step, but would also like to look out his kitchen window again.
“It is good that they stopped working, but I won’t be happy until that wall comes down,” added Gershon.
The stop-work order remains in effect until “the building owner” fully addresses the Department of Buildings’ “objections,” said agency spokeswoman Kate Lindquist.
The Cunninghams could not be reached for comment.
©2007 Community Newspaper Group
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