W000263
Thursday, November 08, 2001 4:24 PM
9/11 Victim Compensation Fund of 2001
Department of Justice
Battery Park City Residents -Victims Too
My son and I are residents of Gateway Plaza in Battery Park City, and
although I was already in mid-town at my office, at the time of the attack
on the WTC, my son, and his puppy were at home. Totally traumatized and covered in black smoke, with difficulty breathing, they were part of the evacuation effort and thank goodness made it out okay. Of course while
trying to locate my son, I completely comprehend the terror, fear, and
anxiety that others must have endured while trying to locate their loved
ones, as I went through physical reactions myself (vomiting, etc), until I
was able to find him by 4:00PM.
That was only the first day. Since then, I have been displaced from my
apartment, which is the 600 Plaza and referred to as "Ground Zero Minus
One". Unfortunately, I will not be able to return until the middle of
December, if all goes well. Yet, it will still be under construction to
repair the many severely damaged apartments in my building.
There are so many difficulties we have had to endure during this time, many
of which are emotional and stressful, however, much of the distress is
tremendous financial hardship.
1) The FBI and Police prohibited residents from reoccupying our apartments
for quite some time, as it was designated as a 'crime scene'. Our
apartments were broken into as emergency workers commandeered the streets
and buildings. Even now, for those that have returned, taxis with residents
attempting to return home are stopped at check points and often not
permitted to proceed to their homes. Car services to pick up business
travelers for airport rides cannot do so, as passengers must walk to Bowling
Green Subway Station with their luggage in order to meet corporate limousine
services. (The inconveniences even at this late date or numerous, yet no
longer seem to have reason).
2) All apartments in the vicinity contain "the substance" (1-3 inches deep)
covering walls, ceilings, floors, couches, bedding, clothing, etc. Research
and conversation with residents, that have already reoccupied, have
indicated that the 'substance' can be extremely irritating to eyes, nose,
throat and skin. Although the EPA assured us that the air poses no long-term
health risk, we all have our doubts. Obviously, if the sign on the movie
theater indicates contamination, as well as the restaurants in Northern
Battery Park, are not reopening due to the hazardous materials, there
clearly is a problem. They are even further away from the site than we are.
The fires are still burning. This means that prior to reoccupation of our
apartment, we will have to retain the services of a certified hazardous
materials remediation/restoration firm. This will be quite costly. I do
not have insurance to cover this expense. Additionally, we will have to
purchase HEPA Filter air purifiers to maintain the clean air in our
apartments. This too will be an expense and of course the electricity to
keep them running 24x7.
3) When the tragedy first occurred, we were walking the streets of Manhattan
trying to find friends couches to sleep on - nothing but the clothes on our
back. People from all over the country were trying to reach us to make sure
we were alive and we had to contact people looking for place to stay and we
had to use my son's Verizon cell phone. We are now faced with a bill that
is over $700 for the last two months. They are willing to credit $200, but
his usual cell phone bill is $40/month. He just started a new job, he does
not make a high salary, this will be just another one of the financial
hardships.
4) We had to buy underwear, clothing, toiletries and spend huge amounts on
laundering and dry cleaning when were finally able to retrieve some of our
clothes a couple of weeks later.
5) Hotel costs - some paid through Red Cross vouchers - after hours of
painful, stressful and angry encounters with them. I have been told that it
may be difficult to gain continued assistance from the Red Cross, as they
are withholding the funds from the 9/11 victims and saving the money for
future events and they have put a stop on further donations.
6) I have been a resident in my apartment for 19 years and there is a
definite quality of life issue, but I cannot afford to move out. I must
return, however, the longer it takes the more costly and stressful it is.
I work for a very demanding company, and not being focused on my job is not
what I want to portray at these times of huge layoffs.
7) Obviously, living in a hotel results in extremely high food bills, and
the knowledge that I am not safe in my home - I don't have a safe haven - a
place where I feel protected or calm. This entire event has cost me
thousands of dollars - I am not a kid anymore. I have raised two children
as a single parent. I have just put my daughter through veterinary school,
still paying off loans - I cannot afford what has already been spent, not
to mention what is yet to come.
I realize that these problems don't equate to loss of life, but so much has
been lost to us and continues. We have recieved no respect, care or concern
from the City or State of NY and as time goes by, there is less interest and
less attention paid to us (if that is possible). We really do need
assistance! We really are victims too!
If you would like to contact me, I can be reached at my office
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