There will be work on the evening of Friday, August 22nd. There will be additional work on Saturday and Sunday, August 23rd and 24th.

All work will be interior and quiet.

As part of the planned renovation at 22 Washington Square the two trees on MacDougal Alley will be removed before construction begins.

The University recognizes how important trees are to the quality of life in the neighborhood and is committed to planting two new, healthy trees when construction is completed.

The renovation project at 22 Washington Square North has recently completed the first phase of abatement. Over the next two weeks the construction team will begin to mobilize before demolition, which is projected to start on August 6, 2008. Prior to demolition, removal of the remaining furniture and fixtures will take place from July 28, 2008 – August 5, 2008.

During demolition interior fixtures (walls and flooring) as well as exterior fixtures (rear fire escape and brick wall) will be removed. A container will be placed on MacDougal Alley to expedite the removal of debris.

There will also be a sidewalk bridge in front of 22 Washington Square North with a small trailer on top of this bridge throughout the duration of this renovation. The sidewalk will not be closed and will be open for pedestrian traffic. Also, a container will be placed on Washington Square North for additional debris removal.

All work will be conducted during normal working hours (8 AM - 6 PM) and on weekdays. If work will be performed outside of these times or on weekends advance notice will be provided.

The interior and exterior of the building contain some asbestos that must be removed prior to any demolition and the start of construction. All of the exterior asbestos (in roofing and window caulk) can be removed without becoming airborne. Interior abatement will have a filtered negative air machine to ensure that the asbestos is removed safely. The filtered negative air machines are located in the rear of the building in MacDougal Alley. These units filter air to ensure it is 99.97% particle free. Furthermore, daily tests of air quality, which are mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), are conducted to ensure air quality. The University hires only licensed asbestos removal contractors, and adheres to rigorous DEP standards and policies for all abatement projects.

HOW IS ASBESTOS REMOVED FROM THE BUILDING?
During the removal process, contractors take several city mandated precautions to minimize dispersal of asbestos fibers, including wetting the materials and sealing the building's ventilation system. The contractors place the wet asbestos debris in specially marked bags. Before bringing them out of the abatement area, the sealed bags of debris are washed and then placed in secondary bags that are also marked "Asbestos-Containing Materials". The sealed bags are placed in locked dumpsters before being transported to a secure landfill that accepts asbestos waste. Only the abatement contractors are allowed to enter the abatement area once the project begins.

During the abatement, contractors wear disposable suits, hoods, gloves, shoe covers and respirators. Between the abatement area and the non-abatement area, there is a clean-up/decontamination area where the contractors remove their protective clothing before entering the clean zone. The worker decontamination enclosure is wet and HEPA vacuum cleaned after each shift change and meal break. At no time does a worker exit the abatement area without properly decontaminating himself/herself.

Asbestos abatement regulations require the University to hire a third party firm to conduct continuous air testing for asbestos outside of the abatement area, clearance testing after the area has been cleaned up, and before the area may be reoccupied.

If you would like further information from DEP please visit: www.nyc.gov/dep.

Interior work will be performed during the hours of 9:00AM-6:30PM.

Interior work will be performed during the hours of 9:00AM-6:30PM.

Interior and exterior abatement work will be done during the hours of 8:00AM-6:30PM.

Interior and exterior abatement work will be done during the hours of 8:00AM-6:30PM.

Interior and exterior abatement work will be done during the hours of 8:00AM-6:30PM.

Interior and exterior abatement work will be done during the hours of 8:00AM-6:30PM.