November 30, 2009
Daniel R. Tishman
Tishman Construction
666 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10103
Dear Mr. Tishman:
I am writing regarding the incident on November 28, 2009 at the Goldman Sachs construction site on the corner of Vesey and West Streets. Early Saturday morning a piece of glass fell 38 stories causing the closure of West Street and the West Side Highway until approximately 8:00 p.m. that evening. Luckily there were no injuries; however, this incident continues the troubling pattern of accidents at this site.
I last wrote to you on April 3, 2009 after a hammer plummeted 18 stories striking a taxi cab on Vesey and West Street. In that letter, I urged Tishman Construction to revisit the safety plan that was developed after the May 2008 accident involving metal falling onto the Battery Park Baseball Field. I am repeating that call today. We cannot allow construction sites in the heart of Lower Manhattan to continue posing safety risks to residents and workers.
The first tenants of 200 Murray Street are expected to begin moving in shortly. This will only add to the need for heightened safety at this site. In addition, the skating rink that the Battery Park City community has fought so hard for is in close proximity to this site and has already had its opening delayed due to this incident. Lower Manhattan has evolved into a vibrant residential community and its residents must be assured of their safety as they continue to deal with ongoing construction.
I understand a representative of Tishman Construction will be present at the Community Board 1 Battery Park City meeting on December 1, 2009. I hope the representative will be prepared to answer questions regarding this incident, its affects [sic] on the Battery Park City skating rink, and address plans to prevent any future accidents from occurring.
Sincerely,
Scott M. Stringer
Manhattan Borough President
