This from New York 1:

There have been lots of twists and turns in the battle to keep one of the most unusual houses in the city from being torn down.

 
Now a judge wants to see the structure for herself before rendering
a decision. Brooklyn reporter Jeanine Ramirez has the latest on the
building known as Broken Angel.

Banging could be heard outside 4 Downing Street as workers helped
get a building known as “Broken Angel” ready for a visit from state
supreme court Judge Silvia Hinds-Raddix. The building is the home of
Arthur and Cynthia Wood and the judge will decide if it’s safe. The
Woods added the top 50 feet or so. The buildings department says it’s a
hazard. The Woods call it a work of art and say they’re being harassed.

"It wasn’t a failure to maintain; the building was maintained. That’s one of their main issues against me,” says Arthur Wood.

Wood has been putting in all new joists, removing debris and
building a temporary staircase. Developer Shaun Andersen is helping
finance the repairs in exchange for half ownership of Broken Angel. He
says he eventually wants to his turn his share into co-ops or
apartments, but wants to keep the building’s character.

"It’s unlike anything else in the world. It’s unique and it’s architecturally and artistically important,” says Andersen.

The building is so unusual, comedian Dave Chappelle featured it in
his 2006 movie "Block Party" and staged a concert out front.

Wood lived in the building for 28 years but was ordered to vacate
after a fire in October. He was arrested when he didn’t. He got support
from local architects and City Councilwoman Letitia James who
represented him in court free of charge, until Wednesday when she
withdrew from the case.

"My client and I, apparently, had a difference of agreement and he
decided to go in a different direction from what was originally agreed
upon,” says James.

James says Woods originally agreed to remove the entire top portion
of Broken Angel. But Now Wood and Andersen want to get a variance to
keep the structure intact. Wood defended himself in court.

Not only is Wood a defendant, he’s also a plaintiff. He’s demanding
a jury trial in a civil case against the Department of Buildings.

He says he was arrested and removed from his home without a warrant.

"Intense emotional stress; illegal gathering of evidence; illegal search and seizure,” says Arthur Wood.

The buildings department maintains it’s protecting public safety
and wants an immediate court order to remove the top part. The fate of
the building is in the hands of the judge.

– Jeanine Ramirez