The Public Place project has led to new concerns in Carroll Gardens. Yesterday, we got a flurry of emails from several people about asbestos removal work that’s been going on a 455 Smith Street, which is a huge warehouse that was quietly added to the Public Place project after a development team to build Gowanus Green was selected, doubling the size of the project. While there are many clean up issues to come as contaminated soil and coal tar are removed from the deeply polluted site, the new concerns are about asbestos removal. One email we got, from someone who is a member of the Community Board 6 Environment and Public Safety Committee said in part:
Demo work has starting at the Abody warehouse portion of the Public Place site. Last week they removed 125,000 square feet of asbestos contaminated roofing in the open air with no DOB permits and no community awareness. As a nearby resident with a small child I feel at risk! What is going on here?…The work is clearly visible from the subway platform, and the cutting and sawing if the hazardous materials are introducing micro particles into the air- exactly the concern when dealing with asbestos. It is of extreme concern that this work is being conducted adjacent to a children’s park in open air with no protection and no community awareness.
The writer also raised a broader community issue, asking, “If we cant trust that the custodians of the public place process are able to handle this small example of construction and remediation, how and why should we trust that the larger project would be appropriate for our community?” Apparently, there was no public notice of the big asbestos removal job other than notices taped to the door of the warehouse. The project is supposed to wrap up in early September.
4 responses so far ↓
1 jerry // Jul 29, 2008 at 8:25 pm
i was wondering what they were doing, those guys in plastic jump suits on the roof last week. i saw them while riding the F. sad to say I live around the block from this building.
2 Tom Gray // Jul 30, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Here is a copy of the notice that went out to over 300 homes before asbestos removal started…
Dear Neighbors,
The warehouse located at 455-459 Smith Street is having asbestos
removed from the property. This is to ensure that the property can be
safely demolished. Removal is scheduled to be complete by September 9,
2008.
Here is some further information on the project:
The abatement contractor is:
Fiber Control, Inc.
2010 Burns Avenue
Wantagh, NY 11793
NYS Dept. of Labor License #99-0723
Tel #: (516) 781-3000
The air monitor is:
H.A. Bader Associates
88 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10012
NYS Dept. of Labor License #99-0488
Tel #: (212) 475-4122
What you should know about asbestos:
– Although the use of asbestos has greatly decreased since the 1970’s,
it is still present in many older products and materials
– Typically, asbestos has no immediate health effects. It is not known
to cause allergies or skin problems.
– Developing an asbestos-related illness after being exposed for a
short time – even at high levels – is very unlikely.
– The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has rules
requiring proper removal and handling of asbestos containing materials
in buildings.
– New York State regulates the training and licensing of asbestos
abatement workers and firms.
– Please call 311 for more information or to report a problem with asbestos.
Source: NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
If you have any questions regarding the state of the abatement or would like a copy of the permits please contact Tom
Gray at tagray1@gmail.com
3 Alison // Jul 30, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I live across the street from this warehouse and this is the first I’ve heard about asbestos removal. I never received a notice about the removal, nor are there any signs in the park across the street warning about the dangers.
4 Scott // Jul 31, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I also live across the street and didn’t receive anything. I find it hard to believe that notices were distributed, but somehow no one knew anything about this.