This shopping cart, among others, was dumped into a wetlands area adjacent to the Croton Reservoir in Yorktown, New York.

New York City residents might be interested to know that the Croton Reservoir and the Croton Watershed are part of the New York City Water Supply System. In other words, New York City residents drink this water.

One day during the Summer of 1999, I observed local teens diving and swimming in the Croton Reservoir (I didn't have my camera with me!) despite signs strictly forbidding swimming. Hmmmm, you don't think those Yorktown teens would do anything to pollute the water supply of New York City, do you?

Within a 3 minute cab ride from these buildings, people are paying $1000-and-up per month for single bedroom apartments.

Why are these buildings abandoned and decaying?

Some argue that greedy landlords abandon these properties. This argument seems illogical to me... Why would a landlord abandon potential profit-generating property?

Some argue that price ceilings (rent control and rent stabalization laws) force landlords, especially of older buildings like these, to charge rents that are below market prices and below a rate that covers operating costs. This argument is logical and is consistent with what they teach college students in Economics 101: Price ceilings create shortages.

I am sure there are many complex factors that contribute to the abandonment of buildings like these. Do you have an opinion? Speak up on our Message Board.