The text link is a rough draft of the things we think are important to express in our exhibit. While the text may change somewhat depending on the images we select, the concept will not. The point is that the DSNY was very much present during September 11th and for months after as well. The concept is that workers from the DSNY, in a sense, are the unsung heroes of this tragic event: although this city agency contributed a tremendous amount of manpower to New York City’s recovery, as far as city agencies are concerned, it is an afterthought, if that, in the minds of many New Yorkers. As we learned from talking to Marty Bellew, the DSNY’s largest role was played out in Fresh Kills, so as it stands, I think we want to show two things. One: that the DSNY was there at Ground Zero during September 11th. And two: we’d like to show exactly what it was the DSNY did, including what went on at Fresh Kills landfill in the processing of debris. We hope the final product will be a bit of an emotional tribute balanced by factual information.
September 11, 2001: Celebrating New York’s Strongest
America’s routine Tuesday morning was filled with a cup of coffee, the morning paper, and longing for the weekend; by 8:45 A.M. the routine was abandoned.
There were many heroes who responded immediately to the disaster that occurred at the World Trade Center that memorable morning; among them were members of the Department of Sanitation of New York City. The department played a crucial role in the removal and clean-up that took place in the days, weeks, and months that would follow. Without hesitation, the members of the department began debris removal and street cleaning on the evening of September 11th itself, resulting in the triumphant reopening of the New York Stock Exchange on the following Monday, not even a week after previously unimaginable chaos and destruction had taken place. Working around the clock for the next ten months, the Department of Sanitation’s work force was pushed to limit, taxed with the efforts of debris removal in addition to the daily 14 tons (?) of domestic waste and recycling removal that took place daily in the five boroughs.
The decision to transport all debris generated by the September 11th disaster to Fresh Kills Landfill on Station Island was made under the most rational thought and under relatively auspicious circumstances. Having received the last barge transfer in March 2001, the location was officially closed, yet it still remained fully staffed. Closed at 60% (?) capacity, the area where September 11th debris would be transferred to was still flat and level at the time, unlike the standard mounds built during the land-filling process (mounds are built for optimal drainage). So a perfect disposal site lay ready and waiting for the large amount of debris to come.
A civilian barrier was maintained at Canal Street, allowing only residents and responders access to the area around Ground Zero. Two waste transfer stations were reopened below Canal Street to expedite the process of sending debris to Fresh Kills landfill via barge. This had the serendipitous effect of preventing most New Yorkers the demoralizing sight of World Trade Center debris being trucked around Manhattan by keeping this activity contained to the downtown area around the disaster.
The removal of rubble from the World Trade Center site was bonded to four independent contractors in order help manage the enormous task of deconstructing and hauling what was left of the demolished buildings and automobiles. The Department of Sanitation made constant runs from the Ground Zero to the transfer stations to load all material onto barges. Barges were then tugged to Fresh Kills Landfill where a large community had been formed comprising the New York Police Department, the New York Fire Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, as well others, in order to inspect the debris. The material was sorted and sifted with materials going to the appropriate agency. Any recognizable object was taken as evidence or memorabilia to be returned to families. Most steel was recycled. The debris removal effort took ten months.
Today Fresh Kills Landfill is closed with plans to make it into a recreational area. As of this time, a decision has not been made in regards to a memorial to honor those lost to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 at Fresh Kills Landfill. Until this is done, the future of Fresh Kills is uncertain. Meanwhile, plans for the site at Ground Zero are in effect with a memorial site and a museum.
Comments (2)
And I have a copy out to Marty to edit for statistical accuracy and general comments.
Posted by Erica Benton | November 6, 2007 7:57 PM
Posted on November 6, 2007 19:57
Combined effort with Maya Jex.
Posted by Erica Benton | November 6, 2007 5:45 PM
Posted on November 6, 2007 17:45