New York City is crumbling. Literally. A “frozen zone” has been set up in Midtown Manhattan earlier yesterday when it was discovered that critical support columns were failing in a building along the block of 42nd Street between Second and Third Avenues.

Nine buildings had to be suddenly cleared after 8 a.m. when crucial support columns began caving in the under-construction 37-story former Pfizer headquarters on East 42nd Street near Second Avenue — and City Hall would not say when anyone might be able to return to the area.”-The NY Post

The former Pfizer headquarters, huh? Irony here is not lost on us. The building was in the process of being converted to apartments. The “frozen zone” spans from 40th and 44th Streets and First and Third Avenues. How many people live and work in this area?

We know you’re curious because we were, too. What did Zohran Mamdani have to say? Shall we go on a scavenger hunt for some reputable structural engineers?

I'm really sorry about the collapsing building. At the same time, I'm really curious how Mayor Mamdani, in his first actual "big boy" job, will react to an actual crisis.

— theodore m dance (@teddance1956) July 7, 2026

The nearby Westin Hotel at 212 E. 42nd St has also been evacuated, with guests seeking accommodation options elsewhere. But, what of the residents in the area? How much, again, did New York City spend to house illegal immigrants in hotels over the past few years?

It was estimated that New York City has spent around $10 billion dollars to house illegals in hotel rooms and provide healthcare, education and food to illegal families. Mr. Mayor is largely silent on what actual residents in the “frozen zone” are supposed to do for the next few days-weeks-hours (?) before said building collapses. No freebies for the folks who pay their rent religiously every month. One would think New York City would be able to provide sanctuary for its own residents, right?

NYC is doing great! Here's a symbolic representation of its current status: pic.twitter.com/GHk9vCtxo1

— Sour Patch Mom ن (@sourpatchlyds) July 7, 2026

Are there some rooms available at Gracie Mansion? Isn’t that what a good Socialist would do? Share a house? Turn said house into a commune? Start a Comrade drumming circle and sing folk songs? This could be the opportunity for Zohran Mamdani to put “his” (AKA other people’s) money where his big mouth is. I could’ve sworn I’ve heard something about the “warmth of collectivism” somewhere in the distant past?

You all wanted more affordable housing

— Mr Keeney (@Karl_Keeney) July 7, 2026

The building’s developer said the tower’s upper 15 floors, beginning on the 22nd floor, were undergoing renovations to expand outward, making them wider than the floors below, according to The Wall Street Journal.

He added that the two support beams that visibly buckled on the 21st floor may not have been properly reinforced.”-Fox News

The development company, MetroLoft, has been converting old office buildings into apartments for over 30 years, bringing “purpose and precision to every square foot” and working to “replace aging infrastructure and thoughtfully introduce light, air and comfort”.

I would not describe the feeling of a cheap piece of Chinese steel falling on a tenant as “comfortable”, but, moving right along. It all was, like, soooo scary…

…says the 22 year-old college student:

I woke up because there were a ton of sirens and like police megaphones telling people to get out of the intersection. I went to pack a bag, and then they started banging on the doors, and the Fire Department was saying that it might be like two weeks until we can get back — I’m really hoping that *that’s some very cautious estimate.”

Like, you probably voted for the very people and polices that, like, resulted in this very mess. Here’s to hoping you have a friend’s dorm to crash out at….or maybe a buddy you met at one of your Zohran Mamdani knitting circle nights? Being inside somewhere won’t make much of a difference, though. King Zohran wants New Yorkers to keep their AC at a cool 78 degrees.

Yes, I know, high AC temps or not having AC at all equates to a first-world problem, but shoddy construction and trash lining the streets in the dead of winter are making a world-class city look more and more like a city in a third-world country day after day. New York City, the concrete jungle-the city known for one of the most iconic and majestic skylines of American steel skyscrapers in the world-is crumbling before our very eyes and it’s an utter embarrassment. This is just one of the buildings we know about.

In the city that never sleeps, it’s on with the temporary shoring. Pass the duct tape and send in the social workers.

Featured Photo: Original Artwork by VG, Darleen Click