Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Call The Wah-mbulance: Ritzy High Line Residents Hate FDNY's Ambulance Depot
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 10, 2012
Modified Apr 10, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 10, 2012
Modified Apr 10, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Sure, people complained when St. Vincent's Hospital closed. But now that the Fire Department wants to keep ambulances on a lot at 512 West 23rd Street, residents of fancy High Line condos are upset. One fumed at a community board meeting, "We have nieces and nephews that come to visit, and it was a nice day and they had problems going outside on the terrace because of the fumes."
In addition to the idling ambulances, residents also complain about the sirens from the ambulances, but the FDNY wants to extends it lease to provide much-needed services. According to DNAinfo, David Harney, chief of staff for the Deputy Fire Commissioner, said at the meeting, "My first quality-of-life issue is life itself. Not having a facility on the West Side of Manhattan is detrimental to our operations. Right now, the landlord could evict us with 30 days notice." While the FDNY is looking for a permanent site, but in the meantime, Harney would like to stay in the current lot for the interim, "The Fire Department could not wait three years to identify, go through a land-use review, design, and build a permanent facility to service this critical area."
One resident paying $3,500/month for a one-bedroom at 520 West 23rd Street said, "My apartment gets filled with exhaust at 7 a.m. in the morning. It gets filled with exhaust at 11 at night. I don't think anyone's questioning the necessity of having ambulance service on the West Side of Manhattan, but the fact of the matter is this station is surrounded by five residential buildings." While the FDNY is trying to work on the idling issue, another resident said, "They better be looking somewhere else, because this ain't forever." Know what else ain't forever? LIFE.
Tagged
ambulance
condo
fdny
fumes
high line
nimby
real estate
sirens
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .