Thursday, November 29, 2007

90 West Evacuated

The building Stuart and I live in, 90 West Street, near the World Trade Center site (WTC), was evacuated on Monday (more info here, here, here, here, and here). Heavy rain and work at the WTC resulted in a broken sewer line and over fifteen feet of sewage filling the subbasement of the building.

Building water and electrical services have been shutoff. We likely won't be able to go home for two weeks. Last night, at a meeting for residents, The Port Authority has promised to cover all costs incurred by the incident and evacuation. People and news outlets were recording the Port Authority official repeatedly saying, "we'll pay for it." Questions about water and air safety remain unanswered.

A blog for residents, by residents, has been established. It's at 90weststreet.blogspot.com.

All in all, it could be much worse. No one was injured. Stuart, Lady, and I made it out aok and have living quarters.

I also want to add that the local news coverage has given the impression that the building is filled with nothing but affluent, spoiled Manhattanites. That's simply not the case. There are rent stabilized apartments in the building and, just like everywhere else in NYC, there are people living together in tight spaces. There are all kinds of tenants there.