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Vol. 53 No. 48
Lobby Renovations Set to Begin in 2019
The long-awaited lobby entrance enhancements for buildings across Co-op City is set to begin early 2019. This major capital project initially started in 2016 with Building 15A being the prototype that the other buildings will model once completed.
BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND
Residents will soon be able to see the changes in appearance of their building entrances due to new entrance installations expected to start in the new year. The new entrances will include updates for easier access and keyless entry.
According to Riverbay’s Construction Director, Mark Warren, the years since first remodeling 15A were used for “trial and errors,” to make sure doors were working (Continued on page 4) Photo by Toriea McCauseland
Building 33 Gas Restoration Ahead of Schedule Thanks to swift cooperation from the residents of Building 33, as of Tuesday, November 27, plumbers were able to get into all 384 apartments in the building and cap the gas lines so that preliminary testing could begin. As of press time Friday, workers had already removed exposed gas piping in the basement and laundry room and begun installing and welding the new replacement pipe, along with the removal and replacement of concealed piping located in other areas of the building. According to Riverbay management, this work is “already ahead of schedule.” Although some apartments have passed the pressure tests, others have not, possibly requiring a more “extensive process” of searching for the location of the gas leak. Plumbers will reconnect apartments along the lines that have passed the pressure tests and continue to work on those that didn’t. Management hopes that some of the other piping (Continued on page 4) BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND
Saturday, December 1, 2018
$1.25
Work In Garages Continues At Steady Pace The community’s eight parking garages are undergoing changes and work continues at a steady pace as winter weather approaches. So far, the concrete and steel T-beams on the roofs of garages 6 and 7 have been removed and the waterproof coating on the floor is being patched before lighting is reinstalled and the roofs reopened. This week, similar work began in garage 1 in Darrow Place where a crane was onsite to lift heavy steel and concrete slabs broken away by construction workers off of the roof. As the community’s elevator modernization project progresses, the front and rear elevators in garages 1, 2 and 4, as well as 3 and 5 are now complete, and garage 6 in Bellamy Loop and garage 7 in Section Contractors continue construction on the roofs of Garages 6 Five have been taken out of service. and 7 which are in the process of having waterproof coatAccording to Mike Coiro, onsite supervisor ing applied before lighting is reinstalled. Photo by Ralph Henriquez and lead mechanic for Champion Elevator, upgrades are being installed in the elevators (Continued on page 2) to comply with an updated safety code now being required by the city. BY ROZAAN BOONE
Plans Being Finalized For Co-op City’s 50th Anniversary Gala, Dec. 10
On December 10, 1968, the first family to move into Co-op City picked up the keys to their brand new apartment. They were later joined by 13,371 other households that call Co-op City home. This year, on Monday, December 10, Co-op City will mark its 50th anniversary as a cooperative community and a beacon of affordable housing with a celebratory gala to be held at Marina del Rey beginning at 6 p.m. (Continued on page 2)
FDNY-Required Safety Stickers Being Affixed To Apartment Doors Must Not Be Removed The Co-op City Maintenance Department has been placing FDNY-required stickers at the bottom of the door jambs in residential buildings and building exits. These stickers must not be removed as they are mandated by city law. Riverbay’s Safety Director Anthony Barzelatto said that the stickers, which are reflective, are to be used as a guide for firefighters who enter the building during a fire so that they can find apartments and exits in a safer and quicker manner. “The stickers are a new requirement of the FDNY. The rules affect all residential apartments and the concept is that they are reflective, and they are always out at the bottom of the jamb on the hinge side of the door,” said Mr. Barzelatto. “The purpose is that when firefighters go into a building, they don’t just walk around; we are on our hands and knees crawling around. So, when we are crawling Riverbay maintenance workers around in these smoky conditions, the concept is to have these have been attaching FDNY-issued reflective stickers so that the firefighters can identify the door and stickers on apartment door frames the apartment. It tells a lot about the apartment they are going to.” as a guide for first responders to The Safety Department emphasizes that no sticker should be help identify locations during a fire. removed from the door jambs. If the sticker starts to peel, shareholders should contact the Safety Department for a replacement sticker. “It’s just another tool to help the Fire Department when they are performing rescues and fighting fires, so they can get in and get out,” said Mr. Barzelatto. BY DANIELLE CRUZ