NineDot Energy's BESS construction site in Middle Village has been shut down indefinitely by DOB after a GA Industries contractor allegedly assaulted CM Phil Wong's staffer Bernie Chow twice while he documented a stop-work order. NYPD is investigating; no arrests made.

The city's Department of Buildings shut down a controversial battery energy storage site in Middle Village indefinitely after a contractor for the project's developer allegedly assaulted a council staffer twice in as many days while he documented a stop-work violation.

NineDot Energy's proposed lithium-ion battery facility at 69th Place, near 65th Drive — sited directly across from P.S./I.S. 128 and adjacent to a daycare — had already drawn more than 100 residents, parents, and elected officials to a June 2 rally organized by Council Member Phil Wong (D-30). GA Industries is the contractor building the project.

On July 2, Constituent Services Liaison Bernie Chow, 59, was filming from a public sidewalk while DOB personnel served a partial stop-work order on the active site. The president of GA Industries allegedly shoved Chow to the ground. Chow returned the next day to continue documenting and was allegedly shoved and tackled by a different contractor, this time sustaining a head injury he didn't notice until about 20 minutes after authorities left; he was hospitalized overnight.

DOB shut down the project's operations indefinitely after observing violations of the stop-work order and opened an investigation into GA Industries, according to Wong's office. NYPD confirmed ongoing investigations into two separate harassment complaints; no arrests have been made as of July 3.

"Ignoring Stop Work Orders and responding with intimidation and violence when public officials are performing oversight should never be tolerated," Wong said. GA Industries and DOB did not return comment requests.

The City Council Union issued a statement backing Chow: "No one should face violence for doing their job."

Community Board 5 previously passed a resolution formally opposing the 69th Place location. The June rally, organized by Wong, also drew former Council Member Robert Holden — Wong's predecessor in the seat — and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.