Popular stretch of businesses in Eastchester forced to close due to structural concerns

Business owners, and some of their customers, are concerned about the future of a stretch of popular Eastchester businesses.

News 12 Staff

Apr 21, 2023, 5:54 PM

Updated 602 days ago

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Business owners, and some of their customers, are concerned about the future of a stretch of popular Eastchester businesses.
Six businesses along Mill Road have been forced to close after structural concerns were raised.
Contractors could be seen installing support posts on Friday.
Warning signs advised that it is now unlawful for anyone to be inside the property at 29 ½ Mill Road.
Town officials received word on Monday about the issues. The building was shut down just two days later, and its gas service shut off.
Town supervisor Anthony Colavita tells News 12 that the issue was discovered by the fire department while investigating a gas smell.
"They noticed that structurally, the building was not supported. The first floor was not supported by the joists that were in the lower level,” he said.
Colavtita says it is important to take swift action, especially in light of Tuesday’s fatal garage collapse in Manhattan.
"We've seen how devastating a collapse can be and this building was in that category,” he said.
Santiago Ruiz, owner of Eastchester Laundry, is worried about his business but glad that the dangers are being taken seriously.
"I think that it's better to prevent this,” he said.
Colavita says the businesses should be able to reopen at soon as Tuesday, but the temporary structure must be replaced with permanent support soon. That will take longer to complete, and likely cost thousands of dollars.