New Our City. Our Story. Podcast: A Changing Brooklyn

Born and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn, Harold Buisson has seen the borough transform dramatically since 9/11. In the latest Our City. Our Story. podcast episode, he notes how the physical landscape of his neighborhood and New York City has changed over the last few years.

“In my old neighborhood, when I saw that they started installing additional fire hydrants and more trees, that gave me the signal, ‘Oh, they actually care if this building burns down now and they’re beautifying the area,’” Buisson said.

On the morning of Sept. 11, Buisson was heading to a meeting at his office, located near the World Trade Center. He ran for his life as the debris from the collapsing South Tower threatened to overtake him. Buisson eventually found himself standing in the middle of a crowded street with other onlookers. They watched in utter disbelief as the second tower fell.

“I remember looking at the remaining building, which had the big antenna. And right when I’m sitting there you hear a rumble and you see it going down, like slow. And I was like, ‘Oh, wow.’ And then it got silent for a minute. And then people start panicking again. You could smell all the smoke and burning all the way up there.”

Listen to more of Buisson’s experience on 9/11 and how he feels the city has changed since the terror attacks here. The series is also available on iTunes.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff