Dear Friends,
Our community is still on high alert after last night's explosion
in Chelsea. While details are still emerging, one thing is as clear as
ever: New Yorkers will not be cowed by acts violence and intimidation.
Fortunately, no fatalities resulted from last night's incident, and
all 29 individuals who were injured have been released from the hospital.
There is currently an extensive investigation taking place involving numerous
NYPD units and partner agencies, including the FBI, ATF, Joint Terrorism
Task Force and the New York State Police.
If you have any information whatsoever about the incidents under investigation,
please share it immediately by calling 1-800-577-TIPS.
Below are a few things to keep in mind in the hours and days ahead, especially
for those who live or work in the affected area.
Residents of West 23rd Street between Fifth and Seventh Avenues still
need police escorts to access their apartments. 131 West 23rd Street cannot
yet be accessed as there is still too much evidence to permit pedestrians.
Please bring photo ID with proof of residence when you enter and exit the
affected area.
The Standard Hotel at the High Line (848 Washington Street, between Little
West 12th Street and West 13th Street) has offered
free dinner
and a hotel room to any resident of 23rd Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues
with proof of address.
Street closures are in effect and will occur intermittently. Officials
are hoping to reopen 23rd Street to vehicular and pedestrian traffic as
soon as it is feasible. Currently, the following street closures are in effect:
- West 23rd Street between Fifth and Seventh Avenues
- Sixth Avenue at West 14th Street (northbound)
- Seventh Avenue at West 34th Street (southbound)
- East- and westbound traffic from 14th Street to 32nd Street, between Fifth and Eighth Avenues
As for nearby subways,
E and F trains are bypassing 23rd Street stations in both directions, and
1 trains are bypassing 23rd Street and 28th Street stations in both directions.
The FDNY and the NYC Department of Buildings have conducted inspections
of the buildings in the affected area and have deemed them to be structurally stable.
NYC Small Business Services is on scene and canvassing affected businesses
along 23rd Street.
In coordination with NYC Emergency Management, the Red Cross is serving
lunch and dinner to residents of an assisted living facility on West 23rd
Street, where the cafeteria was damaged by the blast. The Red Cross has
coordinated with local restaurants and vendors to provide these meals,
and in some cases, walk them up to residents on higher floors. They also
continue to support first responders as needed, and have volunteers on
standby to provide disaster mental health support, as needed, among other
functions. Please call the Red Cross at 1-877-733-2767 if you think they
can be of assistance to you.
I want to thank the outstanding officers of the NYPD, FDNY and federal
authorities, as well as EMS workers and many others who have worked so
hard in the past 20 hours to ensure the safety and well being of all New
Yorkers. I also want to thank my fellow elected officials for their leadership.
Thank you for your perseverance and for your support for one another.
I will continue to update as more details emerge. I invite you to follow
me on Twitter at
@CoreyInNYC for up-to-the-minute alerts.
In service,
Corey Johnson
Council Member, 3rd Council District