Thanks to preparations by Hartz Mountain Industry staff, fewer than 25 percent of its properties suffered damage or disruption from Sandy, and as of today its nearly 200 buildings are open and fully functional.
“The Hartz portfolio is characterized by large, high-way accessible properties supported by primary infrastructure. In a disaster situation these properties offer greater ability to achieve quick resumption of services,” says Sal Gentile, Senior Vice President – Property Management. “Responsiveness from vendors and utility companies was extraordinary given the conditions, and as a result almost all of our properties were operating within 36 hours of the storm and we were two weeks ahead of our initial recovery schedule.”
Below is a summary of the damage and recuperation for some of our major projects in New Jersey:
The Harmon Meadow mixed-use complex never lost power offering restaurants, more than 2,000 rooms at eight hotels, or just a place to go for warmth and electricity for the many area residents who lost power during the storm. Additionally, the many companies that have offices at Harmon Meadow were back to work by Wed., Oct. 31st.
In Lincoln Harbor, boarding and sand bags at RuthChris Steakhouse, 1000 Harbor Blvd., 1200 Harbor Blvd. and 1500 Harbor Blvd. kept damage at both locations limited to the carpeting and minor sheetrock. After confirmation that all electrical, fire and other safety systems were intact, all tenants, including the first floor retail tenants, are back in the office building as of today, Mon., Nov. 5th, and RuthChris Steakhouse will welcome diners soon as well.
Additionally, the work site for the Estuary, a 589-unit residential complex building at 1600 Harbor Blvd., despite being overrun by five feet of water, was cleaned and back up as a work site by Wed., Oct. 31st. The building’s spring 2013 scheduled date for accepting tenants has not been changed.
Solar panels on warehouses in Secaucus, built to sustain winds of up to 120 miles per hour, actually helped anchor the roofing, reducing the potential damage to these buildings.
One and Two Penn Plaza in Newark sustained damage to more than 50 windows and part of the roof blew off. Temporary repairs have been completed as of today, and tenants are back in the building.
15 Exchange Place in Jersey City was overtaken by a five-foot storm surge from the Hudson River which caused damage to the lobby, elevators, electrical system, fire safety system, HVAC on the first floor and the first floor retailers. Our staff, disaster relief company employees and private electrical contractors have worked around the clock resulting in our ability to invite our office tenants back to the building on or near Tues., Nov., 6th—about three weeks ahead of our original timeline.
