Upon learning that there was a gas outage at two of the buildings at Noble Drew Ali, Assemblyman Charles Barron and Councilmember Inez Barron immediately contacted the resident leaders.
Assemblyman Barron and Mr. Keron Alleyne, Deputy Manager of Community Board 5, made a site visit.
It was learned that a resident reported the smell of gas in their apartment. An inspection by the Fire Department was conducted which inadvertently broke the apartment gas valve. That break could not be repaired in the apartment and required that the main gas supply be turned off, resulting in no gas service to two buildings.
The service of heat and hot water has been restored, but gas to apartments in those buildings has not been restored yet.
Councilmember Inez Barron and Assemblyman Charles Barron contacted Mr. Schnure of Omni, the owner of the development. Mr. Schnure told them that work to restore gas service began on Wednesday and is ongoing. The process necessitates that each apartment in the affected buildings be inspected and certified by a licensed plumber, before National Grid will resume supply of gas to those buildings.
Assemblyman Charles Barron, Councilmember Inez Barron and the resident leaders received commitments that there will be additional professionals hired to expedite the required work. In the interim, Mr. Schure has committed to make arrangements to provide meals to residents in the affected buildings.
Brother Paul Muhammud from the Nation of Islam and local food vendors are committed and have supplied food to the residents on this Thanksgiving day and will do so for the duration of the crisis. Mr. Schnure has committed to pay for their services.
In a show of solidarity, residents of buildings not impacted by the gas outage are sharing their holiday meals with their neighbors.
Assemblyman Charles Barron and Councilmember Inez Barron will remain vigilant during this crisis and will facilitate coordination with governmental agencies to expedite a full resolution of this situation.
