Residents of six Upper East Side apartment buildings are being forced to vacate their homes because authorities are concerned the buildings aren't stable enough to withstand nearby construction on the 2nd Avenue subway line. The Daily News reports a recent survey found the buildings need reinforcement to avoid damage from subterranean blasting and a 1000-ton tunnel boring machine. And surprise, the MTA didn't plan for this in their budget! The cost of relocating the residents to other (and often incomparable) housing will cost the MTA $6 million to $8 million, almost twice what was originally planned.
MTA Capital Construction president Michael Horodniceanu says the moves are a necessary precaution since most of the buildings "were built at a time when controls from the Building Department were almost non-existent." Residents in 16 apartments on the 1820 block of 2nd Avenue will have to move within the next few weeks, and stay out for up to two months. One 60-year resident, Rudy Gambino, tells the Post he's worried about a stressful move. "I have a leaking valve in my heart. It would be dangerous if the move is frustrating for me. The doctor tells me to take it easy." Concerns like this can only become more common as the construction moves through the nation's newest retirement hot spot.
Many residents are concerned about being moved out of their neighborhood. "I'm worried I'll be forced to move far away," tenant Shannon Anderson told the News. Tenants received letters about relocation yesterday, and are waiting to hear where they will be put. Relocation is not the only problem the new subway line is causing; locals are also upset about reduced sidewalk space, closing businesses and unsightly ventilation structures. The MTA is currently checking buildings around the next planned stations at 86th, 72nd and 63rd Streets.
