Main bursts at Atlas Park

Thanks to swift action by city workers, The Shops at Atlas Park were spared major damage when a 100 year-old water main burst at the intersection of 71st Avenue and 80th Street on Monday, March 5.
The Shops’ lower parking level, the loading dock behind Regal Cinemas, Stein Mart and the management offices were flooded.
“The community really pulled together,” Damon Hemmerdinger, Development Director for The Shops at Atlas Park said. “With the help of all the city agencies, damage was minimized and controlled, and we were able to keep businesses open. In fact, Atlas Park was buzzing with activity.”
Avi Itzikowitz, Director of Operations of Atco Properties, the company that manages The Shops at Atlas Park, arrived shortly after the incident occurred just after 8 a.m. “There was a tremendous amount of water,” he said. “It took only five minutes for the flood to travel 500 yards and around a bend to the parking garage.”
The broken water main triggered a quick response from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), New York Police Department (NYPD), The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Con Edison and the Department of Transportation. Even City Councilmember Dennis Gallagher rushed to the scene. “FDNY came and started pumping out the water. The Deputy Chief in charge directed all the various agencies to ensure everyone was working in an orderly fashion,” Itzikowitz said. “When we found out we’d lost water services to building 7 and 8, he worked with DEP and the plumber so the two restaurants affected were closed for a short time.”
The few residential homes in the neighborhood were not affected and other than Stein Mart, the other retailers and restaurants at Atlas Park suffered little or no disruption.
Woods Restoration, a company that specializes in flood clean-up was on site quickly and along with Principal Building Services worked to restore the basements of buildings 8 and 6, as well as having the lower deck of the Atlas Park garage operational by Monday evening.
According to Stein Mart’s general manager, Jesse Schmitt, the water damaged the walls, the carpet and some furniture - but none of the merchandise.