There are more complaints on various issues at The Landings than all other Roosevelt Island complexes put together. The Daily’s readers find it a hot spot for safety concerns. Yesterday’s fire underscores them.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
After yesterday’s fire in The Landings, this damaged scooter, its battery removed, remained in the hallway at 540 Main Street. It prompted an angry text from a resident.
“The remnants of an early morning fire from the fourth floor of 540 in the back hallway – an apartment fire. I don’t know any details other than we had multiple firetrucks and ambulances. But this burned out wheelchair was left by the elevator.
“I have complained to Public Safety and management on multiple occasions that the three fire doors nearest my apartment are non-functional. I have also called 311 about this, but they remain non-functional. If someone in a wheelchair needed to get out of the building when the doors were closed, they would not be able to.”
More Safety concerns
As reported earlier, C+C Management dragged New York City’s notorious eviction machine down Main Street for the first time. After that, an effort at forcing a premature submetering plan raised issues, including serious safety concerns.
Then, new construction raised more issues:
“Before construction started the tenants were promised that the construction would be done in a safe way,” one resident wrote. “Plastic coverings on the windows and A/C guards so theA/C can be used safely during the construction…. Most areas don’t have that protection.
“There is so much dust and debris coming through that I had to move my end table in front of the unit. The ground floor apartments have it the worst because that’s where the construction starts. So far I know of 11 apartments where the tenants are sick while in their apartments.
“The symptoms get better when not in the apartment. Of the 11 apartments all but one person are elderly or have asthma. My symptoms include headaches, nausea, sore throat and a dry cough. I shared many photos and videos with management but nothing has been done to protect the tenants.”
Finally
We are aware that a tenants group is accumulating about safety concerns which will be made public once completed. The group has support from Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright.
The Saturday incident should accelerate awareness of alleged neglect and poor policy decisions at The Landings. This is a developing story, and we will update as more information arrives.
You Can FOIL* It
On April 15, at the Steam Plant Demolition Town Hall, a simple exchange revealed something far more consequential than anything formally presented that evening.
