On Wed., May 16, Gloria Gabin’s possessions were moved out of her apartment at 84 Bedford St. where she’s resided for 58 years. Under a last-minute agreement between her landlord and her attorneys, she was given two days to move out all her belongings.
“I feel like a waif in a storm,” Gabin said as she sat on the sidewalk, rummaging through boxes and bags. The superintendent and another worker helped her put her possessions into storage at Manhattan Mini-Storage on Varick St.
Since a frightening interior chimney collapse rained bricks into her apartment a year ago, Gabin had been unable to live in her home, instead living with her daughter Sandy on nearby Downing St. The vacate order came because repairs were starting next door at Chumley’s — coincidentally owned by the same landlord and which also recently had a dangerous interior collapse.
“They think it’s a safety issue. That’s why they moved her out,” said Sandy Gabin. Gloria Gabin will be given an apartment in the rear of 84 Bedford St., with the same rent and a wheelchair lift.
Seven residents of 84 Bedford St. have filed a class-action lawsuit against the landlord over the collapse and the condition of their apartments.
