Garage collapse in lower Manhattan shutters Pace University building for spring semester
Pace University shuttered its building Friday that shared a wall with a collapsed parking garage that killed one person and injured several others for the rest of the semester, according to an email to students and staff obtained by The News.
The private university, whose main campus spans Lower Manhattan, owns 19 floors in 161 William Street holding classrooms, offices, business incubators and a conference center — that though structurally sound will remain closed as the city moves to demolish the garage.
“This work involves continuous disruptive noise, vibration, and physical obstructions, which will make learning and working in 161 William Street challenging for our community,” wrote executive director of emergency management Brian Anderson, vice president of facilities Ibi Yolas, and university provost Joseph Franco.
According to the student newspaper, Pace moved into the building after losing space in the North Tower of the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks.
After the parking structure collapsed on Tuesday afternoon, Pace cancelled classes and evacuated the building and 33 Beekman, a 34-story residence hall with close to 800 beds.
The university is also conducting air quality tests in the building and around its campus.
“The health and safety of our faculty, staff, and student body are always our top priority,” said Jerry McKinstry, spokesperson for Pace University. “Although the building at 161 William Street has been deemed structurally sound, and therefore safe, by both NYC Department of Buildings and independent engineers, we made the decision to close the building for the remainder of the semester because of what we expect will be disruptive demolition work.”
“We are finding alternative classroom and office space for those affected and encouraging staff that can work remotely to do so,” said Jerry McKinstry, spokesperson for Pace University. “We remain grateful that none of our students or staff were injured.”
Other student services housed at 161 William Street, such as the counseling center and career services, will shift to remote or the university’s Pleasantville campus in Westchester. Tutoring services were relocated to its flagship building complex at 1 Pace Plaza.
McKinstry said university officials are meeting with the city’s Office of Emergency Management, first responders and the Department of Environmental Protection “several times a day” as demolition continues.
The century-old former parking garage at Ann and William streets gave way just after 4 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. . The collapse killed garage general manager Willis Moore, 59 — the lone fatality in the collapse.