Developer launches preemptive strike against Lincoln Place
By C.V.
Beck
Even as the tenant union's
attorney went to court on Monday AM, June 23, early-bright, for historic
preservation of these Lincoln Place buildings, the crew (who had
apparently crept in the day and night before), managed to knock down all the
buildings which were the subject of the court appearance before Judge Yaffe that
morning downtown.
American Wrecking began their dirty
deed before lawful starting time (they started at 6:30 AM, not 7) and by
the time court convened at 8:30 AM, the buildings were mostly down
already.
Present on Lake
Street at 7:15 AM, was Eric Hoffman, who identifies himself sometimes as the
controller, other times as the vice-president in charge of development of
Transaction, the corporation that owns Lincoln Place, and the American Wrecking
supervisor, who refused to identify himself when I asked; (told me it was none
of my business, in a very hostile and threatening manner) and approximately
six or more security thugs of the owner, one wearing full battle regalia,
including Kevlar vest, gun, handcuffs, baton, two ammunition belts and jack
boots. (I was told yesterday that about 20 sleeping homeless persons
were rousted from these buildings by security immediately prior
to demolition!)
When the judge
heard our case by 9:30 am, the buildings were flattened. American Wrecking
had four dozer-excavator things, were working fast and furiously. In their zeal
to have this despicable deed done ASAP, they neglected to shut off the gas mains
to the buildings and also knocked down telephone and cable lines to adjoining
buildings. I called the gas company who came out on Tuesday, as I was
smelling gas everywhere I
went.
Shouldn't they have
notified us that this demolition was going to take place so we, the people, (the
residents and the surrounding neighborhood) could protect ourselves from the
toxic materials spewed out into the air? Was this an illegal stealth attack with
no due process? I did buy hearing protectors the next day. I was
getting a long-lasting headache, as the loud beeping from the excavator/dozer
went on and on all day long at the loudest possible volume!
The stench from the diesel fuel in the
air was overpowering, also contributing to my headache and Tuesday morning,
3:30 AM, I woke up with chest pains, as if I had a sunburn inside my
lungs. Many of the residents here are elderly and frail. They should
keep the windows closed to protect from the noise and dust and toxic fumes being
generated, and should be wearing masks and hearing protectors when they go out.
Posted: Tue - July 1, 2003 at 07:05 PM