More than two years ago, the city announced it would begin a $22 million project to replace sewers near 74th Street and Penelope Avenue.
That project was slated to end in June 2018. But last November, it was halted because contractors discovered contaminated soil at the site, and then left it uncovered.
A separate project to handle the contaminated lead, an $8 million affair, is still being worked out, Councilman Robert Holden announced last week.
In the meantime, residents are left to deal with the situation. In the last few weeks, New York City has been hit with severe storms, leaving the area flooded.
Keep in mind that Middle Village used to be a swamp. Holden’s office says parts of the neighborhood was also hit with electrical outages as well.
The city’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC), which oversees city construction projects, now has a head commissioner. Let’s hope new Commissioner Lorraine Grillo can guide this project to completion.