Yonkers mudslide evacuees meet with officials

Frustrated Yonkers senior citizens evacuated from their homes after a mudslide met with city officials and local lawmakers Thursday. A massive mudslide forced the residents to evacuate their homes

News 12 Staff

Apr 10, 2015, 1:47 AM

Updated 3,534 days ago

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Frustrated Yonkers senior citizens evacuated from their homes after a mudslide met with city officials and local lawmakers Thursday.
A massive mudslide forced the residents to evacuate their homes a month ago. Thursday's meeting was held at the Ramada Inn on Tuckahoe Road, where many of the displaced residents have been staying since the incident.
In the days following the mudslide, officials told the Walsh Street residents that they could expect to return home in two weeks. It has now been a month since more than 100 senior citizens were displaced.
On Monday, officials weighed several options but said the worst-case scenario was that it would take the state eight to 10 more months to rebuild the collapsed retaining wall. On Thursday, housing officials proposed to build a temporary wall that would protect the building.
The idea was presented to the city and state Wednesday and a decision is expected within a few days.
If that option is accepted, residents could be home in two weeks. If that option is rejected, the city will have to find permanent housing for the evacuees.
Meanwhile, officials have found a new senior building at 33 Ashburton Ave. It has 50 units and construction will be finished by the end of this month. Residents could possibly be moved into those units by mid to late May.