Unstable parking garage causing Amtrak suspensions also concern for high-rise residents
HELL'S KITCHEN, Manhattan (WABC) -- Two holes found in a parking garage in Hell's Kitchen over the weekend are not only causing Amtrak service disruptions, but there is also a concern for residents of a high-rise that sits above the garage.
The unstable garage directly above two rail lines forced suspension of Amtrak service between New York City and Croton-Harmon over the weekend -- and customers may not be able to get their cars until Saturday at the earliest.
The Hudson View Garage on West 51st Street between 10th and 11th avenues also has a 30-story high-rise apartment building on top of it.
"I'm concerned, it's very concerning, you just don't know what's gonna happen nowadays with these unsafe buildings," said resident Jeannette Sanchez.
The garage has been closed since Friday for emergency repairs.
On Monday, Department of Buildings inspectors said they found two small holes on two different ramps -- the one found Friday measured 6 x 10 inches and another hole discovered was 2 x 5 inches.
As a result, the DOB issued a vacate order.
While installing overhead protection above the tracks early Sunday morning, DOB and Amtrak engineers found additional structural issues at the roof of the tunnel below the parking garage and structural defects, including cracked and deteriorated beams.
Neighbors said they were very alarmed about the apartment building on top of the garage.
"That makes me really concerned about what is holding up this entire 30-story building, there is just a web of things going on under out feet that we don't know about," Catie Savage said. "The more building we put on top of the ground, we're not really standing on solid foundation."
DOB says it is still waiting for the garage owner's engineer to submit repair plans. They say none of the neighboring buildings are impacted.
City engineers are hoping to begin work in the garage by Tuesday.
There are currently 104 vehicles parked inside the garage.
"The safety of our team, customers, and the public is the priority," Icon Parking said in a statement. "To that end, we've been told the earliest cars may be removed is Saturday, depending on the DOB's approval of the landlord contractors' work."
For the 100-plus garage customers, some complain that they are still getting billed.
"They recently charged my credit card again and I asked if they've given that back," garage customer Donald Scott said. "They said they don't have any information to give me."
Eyewitness News talked to a customer who was one of the fortunate ones. He drove his Porsche out on Friday, right before they closed the door.
"I had seen like two guys looking through a crack and that's when I knew," customer Christopher Matos said. "The crack is like literally when you drive in."
As for Amtrak, it is still unclear how long service will be impacted.
Amtrak is encouraging riders to take Metro-North to Croton-Harmon in Westchester, then switch to the Amtrak line for the rest of the way to Albany.
RELATED | Numerous parking garages have unresolved hazardous safety violations
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