High Winds Scatter Debris from Beekman Tower

A 15-block area near City Hall Park remains closed to pedestrians, and traffic, after high winds scattered debris from a nearby construction site.

The source of debris was a 77-story tower under construction on Spruce Street. It was designed by Frank Gehry and is owned by Forest City Ratner. Authorities say wind speeds reached 70 miles an hour or more near the top of the tower. A piece of metal was found two blocks away at City Hall Park.

On Sunday, the buildings department warned contractors to secure their construction sites because of the weather. City officials say they will keep a stop-work order in place through at least Tuesday.

"I'm telling you that contractors--this is a reminder," says Department of Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri. "You need to make sure that when you see wind advisory, that you watch the weather and you get out there and secure your sites."

LiMandri says the site is relatively well-run, but he still expects to issue violations.

"It's such a large site and there are so many moving parts," LiMandri says. "It's no excuse to have something fall off of a building, but I have to say this site in relation to other sites is one of the better sites."

The building, on Spruce Street, received nine other violations over the past six months for failing to keep the construction area free of debris, and other housekeeping issues.

The accident led police to close off nearby streets to traffic and pedestrians; residents and office workers were allowed to leave their buildings but not re-enter.

The street closures led to the cancellation of classes at Pace University, which is in the frozen zone, and the postponement of a ceremony at City Hall to honor the task force that helped rescue people in Haiti. The university expects to resume a normal schedule tomorrow.

Police say they expect to re-open streets sometime after midnight.