Masonry, Window and Roof Repairs At Roosevelt Island’s PS/IS 217 Causing Health Hazard To Adjacent Building Residents – Breathing and Coughing Problems Develop From Construction Dust

Image of PS/IS 217 Under Renovation Jim Bates, Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) representative for 2-4 River Road and President of the Disabled Association reports:

… air pollution at 2-4 River Rd due to PS/IS 217 on going construction. Due to the dust and dirty screens, tenants are forced to keep windows shut and use our AC units causing high electrical bills.

Will the construction company pay for our electrical charges

Mr. Bates shares this message he sent to the offices of Assembly Member Micah Kellner and State Senator Jose Seranno , Manhattan Park representatives, RIOC and RIRA. From Mr. Bates:

For the past several weeks construction on the school adjacent to 2-4 River Rd has caused breathing and coughing problems for the tenants of 2-4 River Rd,

Our screens are grey from the dust and I am personally having breathing and coughing problems daily

I am asking for your help in seeing how this health hazard can be taken care of,

We need clean air for breathing, and closing our windows is not the answer, nor putting on our AC which draws outside air into our apartments and also cauises families higher electric rates

Last night I was up all night coughing and choking and spitting up phlegm

I thought I was having a asthma attach and gave my self a breathing treatment

This is serious

Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to remedy this health hazard

Responding to an earlier inquiry regarding the destruction of some Trees behind PS/IS 217 , the school’s Principal explained the reason for the construction currently being undertaken:

The school was informed by the Department of Education that our school building would require extensive masonry work, along with window and roof repairs, and that this work would begin during the 2010-2011 school year. It was estimated that the project would last a minimum of two years, and would require that scaffolding be erected around the schools perimeter.This work has been mandated by the NYC Department of Buildings, and is completely out of the schools control.However, during both a formal meeting in November and an informal one in September, we received a complete overview of the project and relayed such information to all parties concerned, including custodial staff and the Living Library. We were given assurances at that time from the School Construction Authority that damage done as a result of the construction would be repaired by them, to our specifications. We are committed to ensuring that such restoration takes place, in partnership with the School Construction Authority and PS/IS 217 custodial staff.

Mandana Beckman
Principal
PS/IS 217