Main Street Reopens In Wall Collapse Aftermath: UPDATE

Editor's Note: The retaining wall which collapsed in Ossining Monday belongs to the property at 60 Main St. It was incorrectly characterized as belonging to 80 Main St. where an apartment complex is being built. Patch regrets the error.

UPDATE, 4:30 p.m. — The entire length of Main Street is now open in both directions, Ossining police report.

OSSINING, NY — The owners of 60 Main Street, where a massive retaining wall collapsed down onto an Ossining business Tuesday, are working on a stabilization plan, said village Manager Deborah McConnell. That's priority one, and it is expected Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning, she said.

Next will come structural drawings for a new wall below the old Elks Club property, a large triangle bordered on two sides by Main and State street, which is being developed as apartments.

Village officials, including a consulting engineer and the Ossining Fire Department, went over all the plans for the development Tuesday morning, she said. Then they took the plans and met with the owner of 80 Main St. (the developer) and 60 Main St. (site of American Pumping), the property whose retaining wall collapsed.

"We were able to confirm that the building itself is tied into the bedrock," she said.

The 40-to 50-ft. wall collapsed at about 7:30 p.m. Monday. It damaged part of the building at 60 Main, plus a truck and a car. The car caught fire and smoldered for hours.

No one was reported injured, but families in three nearby houses were evacuated overnight for safety, in case the bank gave way. The Ossining Fire Department called in the Red Cross to assist them with emergency needs. There were five people evacuated; three people were provided emergency assistance for relocation and personal needs - the two others reassured the Red Cross volunteers at the scene that they had places to stay, Carolyn Sherwin said.

The new apartments' first tenant also had to find a place to stay. The complex, owned by Hudson EFT LLC and meant for people 55 and older, is still under construction.

SEE: Massive Retaining Wall Collapses In Downtown Ossining