From the latest Construction Update: prep for excavation at B15 site to begin; building was originally unveiled in 2015

Looking east along Pacific Street at B15 site

The latest Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Construction Update (bottom), covering the two weeks beginning Monday, March 4, was circulated at 11:19 am Friday (lead time) by Empire State Development (ESD) after preparation by Greenland Forest City Partners.

The most notable change from the previous update regards the start of preparation for construction at the B15 site, previously known as 664 Pacific Street and now likely 662 Pacific Street, located east of Sixth Avenue between Pacific and Dean streets, opposite the Barclays Center.

The document states, "Equipment and material are being delivered to the site in preparation for the start of excavation during this reporting period." (Photos interspersed here are from the B15 site, taken yesterday.)

At the railyard

Looking east along Dean Street at B15 site

Among the new information is "Contractor to begin backfilling between Pacific Street Retaining Wall and Pacific Street SOE [Support of Excavation] in Block 1121," which is the block between Carlton Avenue and Vanderbilt Avenue.

The document states, "Vehicular access into and out of the site will continue to be through the 6th Avenue Access Ramp during this reporting period. Trucks entering and exiting the site will follow approved truck protocol routes. Truck wash is at the bottom of the ramp." This is the first mention of the truck wash.

Also, though in red typeface in the document below, indicating new work, it states, "Formwork, rebar, concrete installations, and backfilling for Drill Track Enclosure Foundation will continue in this reporting period."

Looking south along 6th Ave., at B15 site

And, near the B4 site at Atlantic Avenue and Sixth Avenue, it states that work to "remove a portion of the Atlantic Ave Retaining Wall for the construction of the Drill Track Enclosure foundation" will continue.

Here's the new information:  "Most likely, a Brokk will be used for the removal of a portion of the Atlantic Ave Retaining Wall. Similar to the Brokks that were used in the East Portal. Similar noise mitigation practices will be employed." (A Brokk, unexplained, is a remote-controlled demolition machine.)

The railyard, at Vanderbilt Avenue

The document states, "Contractor is expected to begin Structural Steel Erection for East Portal during this reporting period. Cranes mobilization and truck deliveries will adhere to approved Stage 3 MPT Plans and Jobsite Trucking Protocols."


Railyard after-hours works diminishes

Yes, B15 was once supposed
to be completed in 2018

The document states, "East Portal construction acceleration will continue during this reporting period during weekend (Saturday daytime) hours only." There was previously a night shift.

Also new: "LIRR may be utilizing portions of the yard lighting near the Atlantic Avenue LIRR Access Ramp and Block 1121 for security reasons. This is expected to continue through March."

Demolition of the "bump" buildings

One of the two buildings bumping into the railyard from Atlantic Avenue, 728 Atlantic, is essentially demolished, but debris clearance will continue. Abatement work of the 700 Atlantic Avenue building will start.

Note: B15 was originally unveiled in December 2015 and, as the photo at right suggests, was once supposed to be completed in 2018. That was before Forest City Enterprises, which had a minority but still significant stake in the project, in November 2016 decided unilaterally to pause new construction. The building now likely will be finished in 2021.

Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Brooklyn Construction Alert 3.4.19 and 3.11.19 by Norman Oder on Scribd