Verizon is blaming Hurricanes Sandy and Irene for delays to the first phase of the FiOS roll-out — “passing” every home and apartment building in the city with fiber optic cables in public streets. The franchise agreement between the city and the telecom company says Verizon would not be in default if a “Force Majeure” like those storms caused delays.

Mr. Bonomo said Verizon will finish creating the fiber optics infrastructure in Riverdale by this fall, “barring any unforeseen roadblock.”

If the city is unsatisfied with progress by then, it has recourse to measures from sending a letter of default up to cancelling the franchise agreement.

In the mean time, people like Ms. Downes will just have to wait.

Also see:

How co-ops and Con Ed are transforming Riverdale