Tales of Woe at 125 Cedar Street

By Etta Sanders
POSTED JUNE 1, 2007

The fear of falling objects is just one entry in a litany of grievances for the residents of 125 Cedar Street. Besides being across the street from the Deutsche Bank deconstruction, the building also sits on the edge of the World Trade Center site, where the Port Authority has been pounding night and day to construct a retaining wall at Liberty and Church.

“I live in the middle of a construction zone,” said resident Mary Dierickx. “The quality of life is not good.”

 “My building shakes all day long. It’s bang, bang, bang,” resident Diane Blell said, adding that there seemed to be no work-hour restrictions.

Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said his agency’s work hours are unrestricted, but they try to work from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The push to rebuild sometimes drives them to go later.

Residents have also endured overnight jack-hammering, much of it related to the search for human remains. The day often begins with a 5 a.m. wake-up call from back-up beepers on trucks.

Some residents complain that steam pipes in their homes have dislodged from the force of the vibrations, causing water damage. Dierickx said plaster has fallen from her ceiling. Several residents said they keep their windows closed because of the heavy dust.

The building’s residents regularly call 311. Their complaints often go to Robin Forst, community liaison with the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center (LMCCC). Forst has been helpful in getting the work to start closer to 7 a.m., some residents said, but many feel there is little she can do.

“They’re very responsive,” Dierickx said of the LMCCC, “but they’re not very effective.”

Michael Mulhern, a resident since 1978, concurs. “I don’t think they’re on top of anything. I don’t think anyone is in charge,” he said.

What’s worse, relief is nowhere in sight. Construction is expected to continue for at least another four years.

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