Astoria Apartment Complex Residents In Weekslong Fight To Have Gas Restored
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Residents of a Queens apartment complex are fed up after going the past month and a half without hot water and cooking gas.
Con Edison turned off the gas May 1 after a laundry room fire at the Acropolis Gardens complex in Astoria, property manager Steve Osman said.
"They did this because they mistook work that was done a year and a half ago -- a gas pipe in the basement," Osman told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond. "They are claiming it was just done without a permit," he said.
The utility is also requiring that new gas meters be installed, Osman said.
"Why would you ask for new gas meters right now?" he said. "Get the gas on."
Con Ed released a statement saying: "The problem involves internal piping issues that the building management needs to address. The service was shut off to several of the buildings because of unauthorized, improper hook ups that violate building codes. Building management has been made fully aware of what they need to do. Gas was shut off for the safety of the residents. We'll continue working with the city to make restorations as proper repairs are made."
Service has been restored to two of the eight buildings in the complex.
Brian McNamara, a board member at the co-op, said 1,000 tenants are affected.
"It really is a shame," he said. "It's really got to come to an end."
Residents held a rally at the complex Sunday, chanting, "Turn on the gas!"
They told 1010 WINS' Derricke Dennis they're suffering unnecessarily.
"Without being able to take a (hot) shower, without being able to cook, it's very, very frustrating." said one resident.
"We're paying our bills, and they have us living like animals," one woman said.
Osman said he's seeking refunds from Con Ed for the complex's tenants.