From the latest Construction Alert: get ready for more loud noises at night, surface parking lot demolition, and Atlantic Avenue median work

The latest two-week Atlantic Yards Construction Alert, dated 6/4/12 (and embedded below) and released today by Empire State Development after preparation by Forest City Ratner, continues to warn of loud banging noises by dump trucks from 3:30 pm – 1 am  as they empty their loads of stone in the east yard between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenues.

These truckload deliveries of stone, which were expected to last ten days in May, instead are expected to continue through June 15th.

Also, work on the surface parking lot now requires demolition of underground concrete structures by hoe ram and will continue intermittently over the next week or so.

Also, work on Atlantic Avenues medians is scheduled to start the week of June 11. While the work will be done during daytime hours, some traffic signal and street light conduit work may occur during the nighttime hours.

Below, I've bolded changes from the previous alert. In several cases they indicate slight slippage of the schedule.

Arena site

• Revisions to the perimeter construction fence are projected to continue this reporting period, in order to allow the site construction activity to ramp up. Revisions to the Atlantic Avenue fence may start this reporting period. A temporary sidewalk bridge has been placed over the Flatbush Avenue east side sidewalk during the erection of the main entry canopy. The permit has been secured for this work and the work is projected to start late during this reporting period.

Note: the previous report similarly said "the work is projected to start."

• The hoist on Atlantic Avenue will be demobilized during this reporting period.

Excavation

• The only remaining excavation to be done within the arena is the fine grading for the final slab on grade placement. The excavation and disposal of soils at the Pacific Street ramp will be completed this period.

Steel Erection and Stadia Installation

• The maintenance of the site to accommodate steel erection and stadia installation will continue during this period. Miscellaneous mechanical equipment will continue to be brought into the site through the gate at Pacific Street and 6th Avenue, the Atlantic and 6th Avenue gate, the Dean Street and Flatbush Avenue gate and the Ft. Greene gate throughout this reporting period.

Façade Installation

• The façade contractor will begin the installation of the main entry, high halo steel lattice work in this reporting period.

Waterproofing & Fireproofing

• The application of waterproofing to the interior foundation walls is complete. The exterior top of foundation walls (curbs) waterproofing at Flatbush is complete. The Atlantic Avenue foundation wall is complete.

• The waterproofing of the interior walls of the east and west stormwater retention tanks has been completed. The preparation for the testing of the tanks has begun. The testing is projected to start with the equalizer line this reporting period. The testing was delayed from the last period due to damage to the equalizer line. The damage has been repaired at the pipe and the tank entry and the testing program will be implemented in the field this reporting period. The reporting and documentation for the testing in under A/E and consultant review

Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing

• Temporary electric power will remain in place to supplement finish trades power needs for a projected four more weeks.

Note: two weeks ago, the projection was "five more weeks."

Interior Build-out

• Precast erection within the lower bowl seating area is complete. The placement of concrete column wraps will be completed during this reporting period.

Note: two weeks ago, the projection was "will be completed during this reporting period."

• The ice floor was placed May 30th.

New subway entrance/concrete

• The center stair platform concrete has been completed. Tile installation continues.

Transit Canopy

• Roofing work will commence beginning of June.

Note: in the last report, it was to commence "during the month of May."

• Tile work is underway. The steel stair nosings and stair tile work at the main entrance stair will follow the completion of the MEP work, painting and canopy ceiling installation. MEP work, except electrical, has been completed.

Erection of Interior Walls

• Masonry work is now complete.

Railyard track work

• From 3:30pm – 1:00am loud banging noises by dump trucks will occur as they empty their loads of stone in the east yard between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenues. These truckload deliveries of stone are expected to continue through June 15th.

Note: in the previous report, "truckload deliveries of stone are expected to occur from May 10th through the week of May 20th."

East End (former Gasoline Station)

• The final pouring of concrete in a tall retaining wall along the Vanderbilt Ave. end of the yard was completed on May 30th Pedestrian traffic was directed to the other side (east side of Vanderbilt Avenue during concrete delivery and pumping operations which occupied the western-most southbound traffic lane on Vanderbilt.

Block 1129

• The utility contractor has moved its operations from Block 1129 to the north side of Pacific Street between Carlton and Vanderbilt. This move was required due to the commencement of construction of the parking lot that will be on B1129.

•The west wall of 752 Pacific Street was reinforced and fragments of the former building at 585 Dean Street were demolished. Sign offs are pending. Sidewalk bridges around 752 Pacific Street will be removed during this two week period.

• Construction of the Block 1129 parking lot has begun. Initial operations have consisted of clearing the site, demolition and removal of the remaining foundations on the site, and grading of the site down to the final subgrade elevation.
• Underground concrete structures have been encountered, some of which must be demolished by hoe ram for the work to continue. Demolition began 5/2/9/2012 and will continue intermittently over the next work or so.
• All of the soil on the site has been sampled and tested and is classified as “historic fill”, which is a low-level contamination unsuitable for use in other sites but not needing special considerations for handling. Removal of demolition debris was commenced; removal of excess fill material will likely commence during this reporting period.
• Installation of the stormwater detention system is slated to begin during this reporting period.

Traffic Mitigation Site Work

• Atlantic Avenue Medians

Work was expected to begin in late April 2012 on the remaining traffic mitigation work but was postponed due to delays in the City water main work east of Carlton Avenue. The city’s work is expected to be complete by early June. Work on the medians, therefore, has been scheduled to start the week of June 11th. Most of the traffic mitigation site work is made up of raised medians along Atlantic Avenue from Flatbush Avenue to Vanderbilt Avenue. OCMC reviewed the scope and location of the medians and determined the work shall be performed during daytime hours but that certain traffic signal and street light conduit work may occur during the nighttime hours. OCMC approved an MPT plan which takes lanes out of service during the work period. The arena block, Carlton Avenue Bridge reconstruction and DDC utility work between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenues will also take lanes out of service. Therefore, the median work must be scheduled block by block to coordinate with the other work schedules and MPT configurations. The first medians will be constructed on the block east of 6th Avenue between 6th Avenue/South Portland and Cumberland Avenue.

Arena Site Work

• The revised Flatbush Avenue MPT is allowing work to continue on the installation of the Flatbush Avenue façade and the installation of curbs and sidewalks along this same stretch. Part of the overall site work for the arena block, bollard installation, commenced at the intersection of Dean and Flatbush in the area of the southern subway vents and is continuing north along Flatbush, eventually continuing around the entire block. The bollard work is now complete along Flatbush Avenue. Other work that will be done as part of the site work includes sidewalks, installation of pavers, street furniture, street trees, light and signal poles, way finding signage, hydrants and the canopy to the new subway entrance. Construction of the plaza seating area at the tip of the site is now underway. Additional detail on the work will be provided as the contractor progresses.
• The curb installation work and street light installation work is now substantially complete on Flatbush Avenue. Sidewalk along Flatbush has been completed up to Transit emergency exit.
• Installation of the underground drainage within the plaza area located at the tip of the site and beneath the future plaza area located at the corner of Dean Street and 6th Avenue is substantially complete. The balance of the drainage will be completed as the work at the tip of Atlantic and Flatbush is completed in the Spring and Summer. A temporary asphalt working surface has been placed throughout the plaza. MPT along Dean Street and 6th Avenue has been repositioned in accordance with the approved DOT MPT Plan.
• Bollard and cub installation work along 6th Avenue and Dean Street has commenced.
• The construction of the site benches at the tip of the site is substantially complete. Electrical distribution work for the benches is substantially complete.
• The gate at Dean and 6th Avenue has been relocated to the position of the permanent truck dock for the arena. Approximately three (3) parking spaces along Dean Street directly across from this have been taken for construction purposes. The taking of these spaces continues to be necessary in order to maintain the turning radius for truck deliveries into and out of this gate. At completion a new fence will be installed in board of the new curb. It is anticipated that this condition will be in place for two months during which time all work will be completed, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen conditions.

Broadcast Lot – Block 1128

• The DOB approved a Type 2 application. The permit will be issued within the two week period. The general contractor will mobilize at the site, erect standard construction fencing and perimeter protection immediately upon receipt of the permit during this two week period. The work is scheduled to be complete this fall.
• Prior to start of construction our environmental consultant will perform tests during the week of June 4th to classify the soils. The work may be done with a small excavator and is scheduled within this reporting period.

Dean Street Playground Comfort Station

• The DOB permit has been issued. During this reporting period, the contractor will mobilize at the site, erect standard construction fencing and perimeter protection immediately upon receipt of an additional work license which is a NYC DPR standard requirement. The work is scheduled to be complete this fall.

Anticipated Nighttime & Weekend Work

During this reporting period the following work will be performed either at night or during the weekend as noted. All work will be done pursuant to approved permits:
• Long Island Rail Road/Vanderbilt Yard/ Carlton Avenue Bridge:
o All weekdays all locations in the yard: 6:00AM to 3:00 AM
o Saturdays as required: 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM, as needed
o Sundays and Holidays as required: 8:00AM to 12:00AM, as needed
o The weekend work being performed could be in any area of the yard, and within MPT areas for which permits are on hand.
o The work hours will remain in place through the completion of the Carlton Avenue Bridge replacement, as needed.
o From 3:30pm – 1:00am loud banging noises by dump trucks may occur as they empty their loads of stone in the east yard between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenues. These truckload deliveries of stone will continue through cutover of the Yard.
• Arena Site:
o Arena weekend work will be scheduled no later than close of business on the preceding Thursday, where make-up work due to weather or other delays makes it necessary. Saturday work is expected to continue for this reporting period.
o Subject to receipt of permits, a second shift shall be continued throughout this reporting period, from 3 – 11 PM, Monday-Friday only. Also subject to receipt of permits, a third shift may be instituted during this reporting period, from 11 PM – 7 AM, Monday –Friday only.
o Hunt has been granted a permit to allow for deliveries from 6 AM to 7 AM to the Arena site from the dispatch center. This work allows for an additional hour of deliveries to take place outside the neighborhood peak traffic patterns and reduce congestion and interference with the local traffic.
o The second shift arena contractors are noted within the arena summary above.
• NYC Transit Improvements:
o In the future, if any additional work is required it will be performed at night per DOT regulations. Traffic will be restored every morning according to DOT stipulations.
Work related to the BMT structure and below grade concrete, steel and MEP work may be conducted on Saturdaysduring this reporting period.
• Arena Site Work:
Work along Flatbush Avenue as described above will occur during this reporting period during weeknight evening hours as described above under approved DOT stipulations.
• Block 1129 – staging area:
o Contractors conducting night work may have cause to enter and exit this area as it serves as a staging and material/equipment storage area.

How to Reach Our Community Liaison Office (CLO)

Persons seeking access should do so from Carlton Avenue. Both the CLO phone line (866-923-5315) and email (communityliaison@atlanticyards.com) are operational and community residents are encouraged to use both when making inquiries.
As of May 14tth, the Community Liaison Office has been relocated to the existing building at 752 Pacific Street, due to construction on Block 1129. The CLO will continue to be open M-F from 9am – 4pm and the phone number, 866-923-5315 and email, communityliaison@atlanticyards.com will remain the same. Visitors seeking the office should enter through the guard booth at the corner of Carlton Avenue and Pacific Street.

AY Construction Alert 6-04-2012