By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/cmpgift1asbestos121109.html
UNITED NATIONS, December 11 -- Already embroiled in asbestos abatement snafus, the UN's Capital Master Plan reconstruction has hit a new low, literally. In the basement under the General Assembly on December 10, plaster fell in front of the UN Gift Shop while tourists were using it. Inner City Press was informed, but after UN spokespeople had left for the day. An article written that night contained what news there was.
On December 11, the gift shop as well as the book and coffee shops were all closed. Behind yellow "caution" tape, sheet plastic flapped. Tourists milled around, some asking Inner City Press why the book shop was not open.
While the CMP had canceled the day's noon briefing, Inner City Press went to the Spokesperson's Office, in the process of being dismantled, and asked for the UN's position on why the gift shop had been closed.
The UN provided Inner City Press with two statements, below.
First,
"On the GA-1B level a small amount of plaster fell down from the ceiling in front of the gift shop. As a precaution measure, since it was not immediately clear whether the plaster had been replaced before, or if it was still the original plaster which could contain asbestos, the area was evacuated and the fans in the area shut down. Our environmental consultant took samples of the material, and it turned out that the plaster that had fallen down does not contain asbestos. As a precaution the plaster around the spot where the material came down will be abated as soon as possible. After that the area will be reopened."
Then
"The asbestos abatement work was done faster than expected. All the necessary air samples were taken and analyzed, and the GA-1B Visitors' Concourse is ready for reoccupancy as of now. DPI and FCSC/CAS have been informed. They will decide when to reopen facilities, since the set-up for the work is still there. It will be removed starting at 1 p.m., but in any case the area is safe for reoccupancy."
The question is, with so many snafus by the UN, will the City of New York, which has already stopped public school children from entering the building, continue to allow public tours of the General Assembly? Watch this site.
