NYC has its share of construction comapnies that cut corners. Manhattan, like Atlanta, has been busily building-building-building for the last few years. My old neigborshood on the LES, once home to only one or two high rises, now has several 20-story behmonths towering over the blocks of 5 story tenement buildings, most of them erected over the last 10 years.

Personally, I'm more interested in finding out why the Cotton Mill Lofts in Cabbagetown pancaked last night. Granted, they were hit by a tornado--but I would not have thought four floors of what had once an industrial warehouse that's 100+ years old would have collapsed in such a fashion. It can't all be the tornado's fault (and I don't believe for a minute that no one was killed in there--they just haven't been able to find 'em yet).
Nancy Collins | 03.15.08 - 9:10 pm | #

Three are still missing. I bet there will be criminal charges in this!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/ 16...=rss_topstories
KatK | Homepage | 03.17.08 - 7:28 am | #

No one at fubar died. All 4 were construction workers. I live in the area and as of today (3/17) the area is still blocked off. They are still considering it a search and rescue mission, dispute the cold temperatures here at night.
Stainless Heart | 03.17.08 - 9:36 am | #

Here is what the CNN article I linked above says: "In addition to the four dead and three missing, 24 people were injured, including 11 first responders. Three were critically wounded, said Bloomberg, but had been upgraded Sunday to serious condition. Watch workers at the scene Sunday »

The crane damaged six nearby buildings, including an 18-story residential high-rise across the street from the construction site. A dozen other buildings in the area were evacuated, Bloomberg said."
KatK | Homepage | 03.17.08 - 1:19 pm | #

Hmmmm I think Stuy Guy may just have a psychic bone in his body somewhere! Very interesting twist to a tragic story.
jadensmokes | 03.17.08 - 2:31 pm | #

Inspector has been arrested and charged:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/20...t.ap/ index.html
Saavy | 03.20.08 - 8:58 pm | #

Surely there will be more arrests in this. I can't imagine the inspector would sign off unless he was paid off and surely he wouldn't keep that a secret?

Unless he was so lazy and incompetent that he just didn't want to be bothered?
Larkin | 03.21.08 - 12:09 am | #

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ 20080...z2WW8eOiohG2ocA

Quote: "Inspector arrested in NYC crane collapse

NEW YORK - Inspectors began rechecking dozens of construction cranes after one of their colleagues was accused of lying about examining a crane that collapsed 11 days later, killing seven people.

Edward Marquette, 46, was arrested on charges of falsifying business records and offering a false instrument for filing, buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster said Thursday."
KatK | Homepage | 03.21.08 - 9:49 am | #

Nevermind... *blush* Heh
KatK | Homepage | 03.21.08 - 9:49 am | #