SPECIAL REPORT! (9/12/01 -- noon)
Industry Rallies To Cleanup WTC Aftermath

Immediately following the devastation that followed the destruction of the twin towers of the World Trade Center and 7 World Trade Center, the New York construction industry moved into action, rallying to cleanup the twisted steel, broken concrete and other debris strewn over a 12 block area emanating from where New York’s tallest buildings once stood.

As we head toward midday of the day after the event, New York Construction News has learned that the City of New York has hired AMEC Construction Management Inc., Bovis Lend Lease LMB Inc. and Tully Construction to cleanup the area that the media is now calling “ground zero.”

AMEC Vice Chairman John Cavanagh is currently down at the disaster site assessing the situation. AMEC is reportedly the lead company for the cleanup effort, according to industry sources.

Simultaneously, union workers have been massing at Stuyvesant High School at the tip of Manhattan in Battery Park City to offer their assistance. The cleanup effort needs everyone who can cut steel. More than a hundred union workers have volunteered. And prior to this call for steel cutters, iron workers were working through the night to remove debris, cut steel and help in rescue efforts. As early as 11:45 p.m. last night, ironworkers were assisting rescuers in what had been the concourse level of the World Trade Center.

One ironworker on the scene was interviewed by a local news reporter. He said “We knew those buildings could sustain a lot of damage, but we never thought they would come down.”

In addition to AMEC, Bovis, Tully and the union workers, the New York City Department of Design and Construction was called in by Mayor Rudolph Guiliani’s emergency management team to put up sidewalk bridges. The four companies called in were Regional Scaffolding & Hoisting, Atlantic Heydt, York Scaffolding and Colgate Scaffolding. “Since 10 p.m. last night, we loaded seven trucks with sidewalk bridges and equipment,” said Regional Vice President Michael Mazzucca. More than 2000 linear ft. of sidewalk bridges have already been constructed.

Mazzucca also said “No one is asking for money, Regional is doing this pro bono. We made a living out of Manhattan for 29 years and this is our chance to pay it back.”

Media inquiries with regard to the industry’s effort to assist in the cleanup are being coordinated by Louis J. Coletti of the Building Trades Employers’ Association. In a prepared statement late last night, Coletti said:

“The Building Trades Employers’ Association and the Building and Construction Trades Council are prepared to commit people, equipment and whatever else is necessary to assist in the cleanup and rescue operation for this tragedy. For information, call (212) 481-0240.”

Other efforts are being provided by members of the New York City Concrete Producers. The group’s executive director, Al Gallardo, said that “One of our members, Atlas Concrete, has a roll-off business and has been hired by the New York City Department of Sanitation to haul away debris.”

Ongoing cleanup efforts also include assessments of neighboring buildings, two of which are reportedly in danger of collapse. While these buildings have not collapsed, one of them, the Millennium Hilton Hotel, is still burning and could collapse, according to news reports.

Structural integrity is a key concern for area buildings and facilities. One source said he believed that the PATH and subway tunnels below what was the foundation of the World Trade Center are structurally intact, and he based this assessment on the fact that trains could still run through them in both directions.

In addition to the construction industry, cleanup efforts are being provided by the national guard, police from Nassau county, the New York Police Department, the New York Fire Department, the Emergency Medical Service and ambulances from towns in Long Island. New Jersey also provided manpower and equipment to assist in the rescue and cleanup efforts.

Regional Alliance Needs Help (9/12/01)

The Regional Alliance for Small contractors (RASC), formerly headquartered on the 38th floor of the World Trade Center, lost everything in the World Trade Center disaster. Bill Brooks, director of New Jersey operations for the organization, said, “The Regional Alliance needs to rebuild its office with equipment, including computers, printers and furniture. We are looking to re-establish our office in New York City and we are looking for permanent space. We have offers of temporary space and are mulling it over.” To help the Regional Alliance, call Bill Brooks at (609) 392-5600.