Controversy Surrounds Proposed Homeless Shelter Project on 86th Street in Brooklyn
City Council Member Claire Chuang, along with the 86th Street Community Alliance, sent a letter to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) yesterday (15th), requesting permission for a third-party organization to conduct independent asbestos testing on the property at 2501 86th Street, where a homeless shelter project is planned. They also called for an investigation into suspected violations and fraudulent activities in the existing testing procedures.
The letter stated that on April 4, 2025, asbestos inspector Muir claimed to have completed the testing on the building and determined it to be “asbestos-free.” However, several community residents have expressed doubts about the authenticity of the test results, as they did not witness anyone entering the building during the alleged testing period.
Furthermore, the community disclosed that the inspector has a history of multiple violations, including falsely declaring buildings safe without inspecting all areas, inadequate sampling, and violations of New York City asbestos safety regulations resulting in fines, raising concerns about their credibility.
Given these doubts, the 86th Street Community Alliance expressed willingness to bear the cost and hire a reputable third-party organization to conduct a comprehensive retest and requested DEP approval to conduct an on-site investigation. The alliance emphasized that no construction activities should proceed until compliant and reliable asbestos testing has been completed.
Additionally, the alliance stated that they plan to submit the test results to the DEP, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), and other relevant departments for further action.
In her statement, Claire Chuang said, “We must ensure that comprehensive and accurate asbestos investigations are conducted by credible professionals. As a mother of two children, I am deeply concerned about the health and safety of the community.” She urged the DEP to approve the application for third-party testing to address residents’ concerns. The letter was also copied to Mayor Mamdani and Deputy Mayor Helen Arteaga-Landaverde for their attention.