A lot of apartment buildings on the Lower East Side are still not back to normal following Hurricane Sandy. At Knickerbocker Village, many residents are still in the dark, with no heat or hot water. Electric power was initially restored to the large residential complex at Monroe and Catherine streets last Friday, but an electrical fire knocked out service to the buildings a short time later. We’re told crews have been working around to the clock to make repairs. Some apartments have apparently been brought on line, but many people are still without power.
Last night, U.S, Rep. Nydia Velazquez arranged to have one-thousand hot meals delivered to residents. City Council member Margaret Chin has also been working with Knickerbocker Village management and local non-profits to make sure elderly tenants are receiving the attention they need. Two organizations – Hamilton Madison House and Two Bridges neighborhood Council – have been involved in these efforts. We’ll have more details about the situation at the nearly 1600-unit complex later today.
We shouldn’t have to pay rent!