In the latest construction-related evacuation in Soho, a backhoe digging a new sewer line for a building at 51 Crosby St. on Wednesday around noon cracked open a water main, causing a major flood. Water poured into the basement of the neighboring, six-story 53 Crosby St., causing the building’s six units to be temporarily evacuated.
Josh Simons, 46, an art director living at 53 Crosby St., said the building is now facing an expense of up to $70,000 for a new elevator. The building’s antiquated Soho elevator was totally wrecked by the flood, which left 3 ft. of silt at the bottom of the shaft. It’s a disaster for the building, whose units are joint work-live quarters.
“We have to get stuff up,” Simons said. The building’s stability appears to be O.K., but they are still checking it, he said.
Simons said the new project is huge, including six smaller units on Crosby St. and 111 units on Lafayette St. Richard Meier was the original architect on the job, but may no longer be involved, he added.
