When it rains, it pours, and in one Queens business, it also floods.
The MTA’s $10 billion East Side Access project has wreaked more than $60,000 worth of damage on a Long Island City business since construction started in 2009, its livid owner says.
“It has been very, very frustrating,” said Marc Newman, whose Standard Refrigerator business abuts the Long Island Rail Road tracks on 37th Ave. “Instead of taking care of problems that they create, they deflect and deflect.”
Newman says the MTA elevated the grade behind his business so that the land slopes downward, draining water directly toward his rear wall.
The majority of the damage occurred in March 2010, he says, during a heavy storm he calls “the great flood.” His 10,000-square-foot business was inundated with water, 4 inches deep in some places, he says.
The water seeped through a crack in his cinderblock and concrete wall, which he says was caused by vibrations from the construction.
The damage forced him to rip up the carpeting, and cut the bottom four feet off of his rotted drywall. He considered suing the MTA, but decided not to
“Our goal is really simple,” said Newman. We want them to make sure there’s drainage installed so we don’t get another flood and make whatever repairs to our building.”
The big-ticket project will reduce travel times for Amtrak passengers to Boston and enable LIRR commuters to use Grand Central Terminal.
The MTA argued that the flooding was linked to a preexisting foundation condition.
Even Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, whose district includes the project site, said the transit agency had been uresponsive to complaints.
“They’re fighting everybody, just like they’re fighting these guys,” Van Bramer said.
When contacted by the Daily News, transit honchos said they would review the site again.
“We plan to work with the contractor to address the surface water runoff on a temporary basis until a permanent solution can be found,” spokesman Aaron Donovan said.
