NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
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New York City Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Environmental Compliance
J
Exterior Clean-up Program
The NYCDEP initiated a program to perform clean-up of exterior building surfaces with funding
provided by FEMA. Initially, the Department performed outreach to building owners and
responded to hundreds of inquiries from the public regarding testing and interpretation of results.
Information was provided at the Department’s web site, door-to-door visits, and by telephone. In
January 2002, staff began surveying buildings block by block for visible debris on exterior
building surfaces (roofs, facades, setbacks, courtyards, alleys, etc.). These inspections were
performed at 1073 buildings. During the surveys, building owners and managers were provided
with guidance for the assessment and clean up of the debris. Requests for environmental
sampling results were also issued. We continue to respond to requests from the public and
survey for the presence of visible debris.
NYCDEP hired contractors began cleanup activities in June 2002. To date, the clean up
activities of exterior building surfaces have been completed at 159 buildings. Ninety-seven (97)
buildings were re-inspected and were confirmed as cleaned by the building owners. We have 33
buildings that are currently being cleaned or will be starting during the next week. Less than 30
building owners/managers remain on the list of requiring follow up for cleaning activities. We
anticipate the program to be completed by the end of October.
Unoccupied Buildings with Visible Debris
The NYCDEP has undertaken the interior cleaning activities of the remaining unoccupied
buildings. Site-specific cleaning activities were developed. Two contracts were awarded, one
for the cleaning activities and one for the project monitoring and testing.
On September 12, 2002, the cleanup activities of 125 Cedar Street were initiated. These clean
up activities included provisions for pre- and post-clean up environmental sampling. Department
representatives met with tenants and discussed clean up activities. Walkthrough visits were
performed with taiants on multiple days and efforts were coordinated with tenants and the
building management. The cleaning activities are still underway. On Thursday, October 3,
2002, Department representatives completed a preliminary inspection of the building and
identified some areas that required additional clean up efforts. The cleaning of the residential
portion of the building is at its final stages. Re-occupancy will not be approved until the
cleaning meets our satisfaction and the post-cleaning environmental sampling meets the
clearance criteria levels.
The Department has met with representatives and residents of 114 Liberty Street and discussed
cleanup options. The Department has performed site visits, surveys, and assessments and has
developed the scope of work for the cleanup of the apartments, the HVAC systems, and the
project monitoring and environmental sampling. The developed documents were sent to the
NYC-WTC_000148703
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