Roosevelt Mall reopens nearly 1 week after deadly Northeast Philadelphia plane crash
A stretch of Cottman Avenue reopened and Roosevelt Mall is welcoming back customers for the first time in four days. The mall was closed in the aftermath of the medical jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia that killed seven people and injured 24 others.
All 48 stores at the mall reopened on Wednesday except for Dunkin' and Raising Cane's, mall spokesperson Kristen Moore said.
Moore said the restaurants were awaiting clearance from the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management.
"We received approval to reopen and are planning to open tomorrow morning," a Raising Cane's representative said. CBS News Philadelphia is waiting for a response from Dunkin' on a reopening timeline.
Some business owners said sales are slow with customers hesitant to return. But shoppers said reopening the mall is a step toward normalcy.
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"I'm very grateful it reopened after the incident that happened," Yamel Valdez, from Mayfair, said. "It was very like tragic that everything happened."
Many in the community are still traumatized.
"It's never going to be the same," Maria Colon, from Olney, said. "It's a horrible tragedy that should have never happened."
A group of pastors set up a prayer station on Cottman Avenue to help people who are suffering.
"I know a lot of people in this neighborhood are still stressed out for what happened to them," Doug Tunney, president of Youth With a Mission, said. "A lot of people in our city are still stressed out, so why can't we respond by praying the peace of God, the blessing of God upon everyone."
Philadelphia's Department of Commerce is offering support to the businesses affected.
"I'm just excited for the stores that's going to open," shopper Daphne Cox said. "I hope nobody be scared. Don't be scared."
The Philadelphia OEM said damage assessment teams walked every block in the vicinity of the crash site and looked at over 300 businesses and residences for evidence or damage.
Now, crews from a number of city agencies are working to clean the streets.
"I won't say normalcy because that is going to take much longer, but certainly allowing regular activities to take place throughout that area," Adam Thiel, the managing director of Philadelphia, said.
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The National Transportation Safety Board released new images Tuesday of the jet's cockpit voice recorder. It was found eight feet deep at the site of impact.
City leaders said the NTSB has now finished its investigation at the scene and the forensic investigation led by the Philadelphia Police Department and Medical Examiner's Office is also being moved off-site.
But those who live near the crash site are still trying to process what happened days after.
"Five minutes before the crash, I was right at that stop where the plane crashed," a man said. "I am still frightened, but I guess I am lucky."
Another family said they lost everything and they'll be staying with relatives for the time being.
"In the house, the only thing left in good condition is the television and sofa," a man said. "Everything else is destroyed."
The family said they were lucky no one was hurt being so close to the blast.
"I thought a car had crashed there," a woman said. "I went running down, all the lights were off when I opened the door to see, everyone outside was yelling and asking for help. I saw all the debris and body parts from the plane explosion."