Two weeks ago, I reported on some goings-on above ground at Second Ave. The MTA was set to allow residents of 1873 Second Ave. to move back into their apartments after what would have been a two-month temporary relocation. However, as Patrick Egan at The Real Deal reports today, these residents will be out of their homes for another month as the MTA says that “unanticipated underpinning and stabilization of the foundation” will keep this building closed until December 4.
Residents who had hoped to be in their homes for Thanksgiving are none too happy. “I’m glad our safety has been taken into consideration, but I really just don’t want to spend the holidays at a hotel,” said one. “I want to be at home with my stuff.” Still, this conflict over these buildings remains a sore point for the MTA as the Second Ave. landlords are to blame for the condition of their buildings, but the MTA has found it cheaper and more efficient to shoulder the costs of the engineering work. Hopefully, the authority has learned its lesson as it plans for future phases of the Second Ave. Subway.