Sound Shore

New Rochelle continues its cleanup of City Hall following a pipe burst Easter weekend that sent water cascading into two city departments. The Parks and Recreation Department has been relocated to the Youth Bureau and half of the Department of Development has been operating in a conference room/employee lunchroom across the hall.

In a foyer on the first floor, dehumidifiers and dryers run behind plastic tarps to dry stacks of files, including records and historical documents such as planning studies and applications. Workers are sorting through files to see what can be saved and what should be tossed.

Department of Public Works Commissioner Jeff Coleman said he was not yet able to put a dollar amount on the damage, but described it as substantial. In addition to records, the city had damage to computer equipment, copiers and fax machines. “It’s amazing that something 2 inches in diameter would create this much damage,” he said.

The water damage also necessitated asbestos removal work. Coleman said the building is safe is safe to visitors and that all employee-accessible areas are safe. He said the Department of Development would be back to normal by mid-May and Parks and Recreation by the end of May.