New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Thursday, announced that the city has removed nearly 44,000 feet of scaffolding outside of New York City Housing Authority developments.
The announcement was made in the basketball court outside of the Sheepshead Houses directly in front of the blue wooden boards of scaffolding that were being broken down as de Blasio spoke.
Also in attendance was Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, City Council Members Mathieu Eugene and Alan Maisel, and NYCHA chair Shola Olatoye.
“We said last August that we would expedite getting these scaffoldings down wherever they weren’t needed all over this city,” de Blasio said. He blamed City Hall for the neglect during previous administrations. In addition, he said that NYCHA continued to be financially neglected on both the state and federal level.
Adams recalled his days policing in the 94th precinct and chasing a robbery suspect that got away until residents at their window pointed down, signaling he was hiding in the scaffolding.
“This is a quality of life issue and a public safety issue,” said Adams.
“Every single time I would walk underneath the scaffolding, I’d look up, and in my head, debate if it was even necessary,” said Jason Artzt, a lifetime Sheepshead Houses resident.
“I’m glad it’s finally coming down,” he added.
