City Councilmembers Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest) and Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) announced today they hammered home a deal with Con Edison that would see the utility company overhaul the electrical system in the problematic section of Midwood.
The deal stems from during the recent Jewish holidays, when many in Midwood experienced total or partial loss of power, ending up with spoiled food, stoves that wouldn’t ignite, and failed air conditioner compressors.
At the request of Deutsch, Con Edison engineers began a study to determine the cause and frequency of the service interruptions and to examine potential solutions.
Then yesterday, Deutsch held a meeting in his district office, in which Con Ed officials heard directly from residents about the issues that they have experienced.
The officials said they have already dedicated significant funds towards the overhaul, which they anticipate will be completed by the end of this year. when completed, work will include installation of secondary risers, secondary spans, secondary mains, and new electrical poles.
These upgrades come after an additional $10 million project that was completed in the waterfront community of Sheepshead Bay last year. That project repaired much of the damage that was left on the electrical system after Hurricane Sandy.
“The upcoming Con Edison work in Midwood will be a welcome relief to hundreds of residents who have experienced power interruptions for several years. I commend Con Edison for their commitment to developing a real, definitive response to these electrical problems,” said Deutsch.
“I want to thank Leon Goldenberg and Josh Mehlman of the Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition for their partnership in tackling these electrical issues. I’m really pleased that Councilman Williams and I were able to work together with Con Edison to reach a positive solution to this recurring issue.”
