Yesterday, there was an avoidable tragedy, in Manhattan, that may help silence those supporters of the proposed 40th Street Hotel Project. A construction crane toppled from the 15th floor of a new building neighboring buildings. Two long established properties, a 4 story and a 5 story building were destroyed. 4 are confirmed dead, 3 are in critical condition, people are feared missing,in the rubble. Homes are lost, at least one business is destroyed, and the developer has probably lost any profit potential and will probably be tied up in litigation which may make keep that immediate neighborhood from restoration for a very long time. It is clear from the quotes, that even without the tragic accident, living so close to such construction had already greatly reduced the quality of life for neighbors. People are quoted as being disturbed by noise, vibration, dust and danger. They speak of changing their routes because they felt afraid of falling construction materials. The articles claim that a 12% increase in high rise (usually defined as above 10 stories) construction has led to an 83% spike in accidents, with SIXTEEN deaths in Manhattan in the last 12 months. I have posted links and an excerpt below. If they do not work, I found them using Google and the words, "construction tragedy, NY March 2008". Please know that "danger" was only 1 of many reasons I gave for refusing Zoning variances to accommodate the Hotel Proposal. But it was the one that opponents choose to attack me as a 'chicken little', instead of as someone who could reasonably anticipate possible unintended consequences of an ill considered project. I hope we are all able to keep the victims, the dead, injured, newly homeless, newly unemployed in our thoughts and prayers, and that we keep up active consideration for our 40th and Pine neighbors. The links are below. All the best! Liz http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/03/16/2008-03-16_crane_tragedy_is_just_latest_in_a_string.html "Enough is enough," fumed Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. "We've closed restaurants that have fruit flies, but we don't close construction sites that have major safety violations. We have to revamp the construction protocols." "We have failed this borough and the people of the city. It is unacceptable and it has to be stopped." The Daily News - in stories and editorials - has documented the dark side of the dramatic 12% jump in high-rise development last year that has resulted in a staggering 83% spike in construction accidents. Yesterday's accident brings to 16 the number of construction deaths in the past 12 months. http://anti-union.blogspot.com/2008/03/ny-another-construction-tragedy-crane.html
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