Tenant says her mother’s ashes vanished during Gowanus Houses renovation
About 100 boxes went missing during a temporary move for the $200 million NYCHA overhaul of Gowanus Houses, a tenant says. NYCHA and the contractor are investigating.
Katrina Gorham, 46, a Gowanus Houses tenant, says about 100 boxes of belongings, including her mother’s ashes, went missing this summer. She says it happened when she moved out temporarily while her Brooklyn public housing apartment was renovated.
Gorham came to the complex from California as a child, soon after her mother died in May 1988, and moved into her grandmother’s apartment. She brought her mother’s remains with her. She says the missing boxes also held important documents, her three children’s winter clothes, sheets, handbags, sneakers and a wedding photo of her late grandparents.
“I just wanted my stuff. I wanted them to help me locate my stuff,” Gorham said. She said the stress has left her heartbroken and unable to sleep.
Who is investigating the missing belongings
Gorham filed a claim with NYCHA. A spokesperson said the housing authority is investigating but did not comment further. A spokesperson for Mega Technico Joint Venture, the contractor running the renovations, said it is also looking into the claim. ZeroMax, the storage and moving company involved, declined to answer questions about her claims.
The $200 million Gowanus Houses and Wyckoff Gardens overhaul
The work is part of a $200 million project to modernize Gowanus Houses and nearby Wyckoff Gardens. The city promised the upgrades as part of the Gowanus rezoning. Mega Technico, made up of Mega Development and Technico Construction Services, is running the program, known as Comprehensive Modernization, or CompMod. Residents move into temporary apartments during the work, then return to units with new kitchens and bathrooms, among other upgrades. NYCHA agreed to cover tenants’ moving costs, including storage.
So far, Gorham’s household and 75 others at Gowanus Houses have moved back into finished apartments. Many tenants have welcomed the renovations. Some neighbors have raised complaints about leaks, dust and other problems, according to officials and residents. These issues were expected to come up at a public meeting with NYCHA on Wednesday, held by the Gowanus Oversight Task Force, which tracks the city’s rezoning promises.
Council Member Shahana Hanif, whose district includes Gowanus Houses, said NYCHA needed to give stronger assurances that the mistakes of the first phase will not happen again in the next round of construction.
Quick answers
What is the Gowanus Houses renovation?
It is a $200 million NYCHA project to modernize Gowanus Houses and Wyckoff Gardens, promised as part of the Gowanus rezoning.
Does NYCHA pay for tenants' moving costs during the renovation?
Yes. NYCHA agreed to cover tenants' moving costs, including storage.
Who is doing the work?
Mega Technico Joint Venture, made up of Mega Development and Technico Construction Services.
