On April 23, a group of graduate students from New York University (NYU) School of Public Policy visited the Huace Society Center in Chinatown to conduct interviews and surveys regarding the recent building fire in Chinatown. Their goal is to propose improvement measures for the old buildings and floors without elevators in the area, which will be submitted to the city government for reference.
Representative Peter Estes mentioned that the survey targeted individuals currently living or working in Chinatown in Manhattan, or those with family members residing in the area. The survey took approximately five minutes to complete and addressed the fire that occurred on Elizabeth Street last December. The fire filled the entire building with thick smoke, requiring police and firefighters to rescue elderly residents from the apartments. Chinatown is home to many of these older buildings without elevators, which occupy significant blocks in the old district. Estes hopes that through the survey, more people will become aware of the safety hazards present and how to make improvements. Once the survey report is completed, it will serve as a reference for relevant agencies to plan for the area and allocate more resources to enhance residential facilities and safety.
Members at the Huace Society Center diligently filled out the surveys. After receiving over 30 completed questionnaires, Estes expressed gratitude for the help from the elderly residents and announced that a lucky participant will receive a gift certificate as a token of appreciation.