DEP memo on reoccupancy and cleanup efforts, Sept 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

September 28,2001

Gateway Plaza

On Friday, September 28, 2001 (approximately 5:00 p.m.) the Bureau of Environmental Compliance received a call from Katherine Freed’s office regarding residents not being allowed to get into 345,355,365,375 and 385 South End Avenue (Gateway Plaza) to retrieve their valuables, etc.. At approximately the same time, Mr. Lefrak’s office called to say that approximately 100 irate residents were assembled in the area demanding to get back into their apartments (again to get clothes, passports, etc.).

Environmental Compliance called Department of Health (DOH) and spoke to Jessica Leighton asking for her assistance in resolving this issue. She explained that from DOH’s perspective, residents could be allowed to enter their apartments because it was a short-term exposure risk. She advised that poly be put down to allow for a temporary walkway for the residents. Also, she advised that residents should wear a dust mask and when the residents were in the apartment to disturb dusty areas as little as possible. Remove shoes before entering the apartment and clean the clothes they were wearing as soon as possible. These instructions were passed on to Mr. Lefrak. He asked assistance in getting dust masks and I told him we would try. Paul Beimett was advised of same. Moustafa Fawzy was advised of same and Moustafa also informed me that his unit had no dust masks. First Deputy Commissioner Chapin was also advised of the solution we were able to obtain.

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