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Domino Refinery Project Already Under Fire From Local Union Over Asbestos Removal
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 4, 2013
Modified Apr 4, 2013
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Courtesy of Tod Seelie/Suckapants
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 4, 2013
Modified Apr 4, 2013
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Though construction won't be done for more than a decade, the redevelopment of the former Domino Sugar Refinery is already taking heat from members of the city's unions. Local 78, which represents asbestos, lead and hazardous waste laborers, were a loud presence at yesterday's CB1 Land Use meeting, accusing developer Two Trees Management of hiring a shady asbestos company with a history of lawsuits just to save a buck.
New York Insulation, the company contracted to handle the asbestos, has a documented history of failing to properly pay its employees. But Local 78 has had a bone to pick with Two Trees for years, slamming the developer in 2005 for its reportedly lackadaisical attitude toward asbestos removal at the former Department of Education building in downtown Brooklyn—since turned into luxury condos—with reports of the toxic stuff literally "flying out the windows."
"You want to be a good neighbor? Why don't you start by building the buildings right?" Local 78's Edison Severino asked last night.
But Jed Walentas, son of Two Trees founder David Walentas, vehemently defended the decision to hire New York Insulation, saying he has "total confidence" in the company, and that it was "better than any other bidder, union or non-union." Jeremy Soffin, who handles public relations for the firm, added that Two Trees has had "excellent experience working with New York Insulation in the past."
We sure hope they're right, since based on these photos, it's going to take some skilled professionals to clean this mess out.
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