More from meeting: B4 move-ins in 2022; Times Plaza making (slow) progress; railyard "substantially" (but not finally) complete
This is the sixth of ten articles on the 11/19/19 Quality of Life meeting, which focused on the new B12 and B13 towers. The first concerned plans to finally move forward with Site 5. The second concerned the timing of the platform over the railyard. The third concerned the single parking garage entrance on the block. The fourth concerned the design of the new towers. The fifth concerned open space plans on that southeast block. The seventh concerned art on the Dean Street construction fence. The eighth concerned recent traffic chaos around Disney on Ice. The ninth concerned the Pacific Park Conservancy. The tenth concerned the Pacific Park Owners Association.
Scott Solish of Greenland USA provided an update on several aspects of the project.
B4 progress
The foundations at the B4 tower site, 18 Sixth Avenue, "are basically finished," he said, and they'll "commence superstructure in December, so that project is on schedule."
Noting that a sign on the fence outside the B4 site predicted completion by April 2023, I asked if that was their aim.
"I don’t know why that’s on the fence, but we expect people to start moving in in 2022," he said. "Definitely in the first half."
If so, that means they might meet a deadline for "substantial completion" of a minimum amount of square footage on the arena block by 5/12/22. (If not, the developer could face fines of $1.65 million, I calculated.)
What does "substantial completion" mean? According to the guiding Development Agreement, excerpted at right, "with respect to Phase I, when the construction... has been substantially completed in accordance with the applicable Project Lease."
I haven't been able to find that applicable lease. Does substantial completion means a temporary certificate of occupancy for the entire building? Only part of the building?
The reason this is important is that the deadline may trigger more after-hours work. Solish was not asked, and did not say, whether Saturday work will continue at B4, and the B15 site, in 2020, as in 2019.
B15 progress
As to the B15 tower site, 664 Pacific Street (or 662 Pacific), the excavation and foundation continues. The superstructure, he said, will start in the first quarter of 2020.
That's the building with the middle-school, which is likely why it's taking more time--more space underground.
Times Plaza open space
In October 2017, I reported how the open space revamp planned at Times Plaza--the triangle between Flatbush, Fourth, and Atlantic avenues--might go into construction in the second quarter of 2018, according to an executive at Forest City Ratner/Forest City New York.
Didn't happen. Everything takes longer than projected. But they're getting there.
The work will only take place in the western part of the space, which is controlled by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The eastern portion of the plaza, with a historic structure controlled by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and guarded by bollards, is not part of the plan.
The plans have been approved by the city's Public Design Commission (PDC), but "we’ve been under DOT review for several months," Solish said. That agency shares the plans with other impacted agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection, and sends back comments.
"Then we’ll address them," Solish, said, and "start building as soon as we get that"--and additional approval by the PDC.
The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership will maintain the space, as they maintain several other public plazas.
Railyard "substantially complete"
The new Vanderbilt Yard is "substantially complete," Solish said. "The Long Island Rail Road has total control."
There is still some ongoing punch list work and lighting, he said.
Has the LIRR signed off on final completion, I asked?
Not yet.
Note that there's a difference between completion and "completed and acceptable," as with the temporary railyard.
Scott Solish of Greenland USA provided an update on several aspects of the project.
B4 progress
The foundations at the B4 tower site, 18 Sixth Avenue, "are basically finished," he said, and they'll "commence superstructure in December, so that project is on schedule."
"I don’t know why that’s on the fence, but we expect people to start moving in in 2022," he said. "Definitely in the first half."
If so, that means they might meet a deadline for "substantial completion" of a minimum amount of square footage on the arena block by 5/12/22. (If not, the developer could face fines of $1.65 million, I calculated.)
I haven't been able to find that applicable lease. Does substantial completion means a temporary certificate of occupancy for the entire building? Only part of the building?
The reason this is important is that the deadline may trigger more after-hours work. Solish was not asked, and did not say, whether Saturday work will continue at B4, and the B15 site, in 2020, as in 2019.
B15 progress
As to the B15 tower site, 664 Pacific Street (or 662 Pacific), the excavation and foundation continues. The superstructure, he said, will start in the first quarter of 2020.
That's the building with the middle-school, which is likely why it's taking more time--more space underground.
Times Plaza open space
In October 2017, I reported how the open space revamp planned at Times Plaza--the triangle between Flatbush, Fourth, and Atlantic avenues--might go into construction in the second quarter of 2018, according to an executive at Forest City Ratner/Forest City New York.
Didn't happen. Everything takes longer than projected. But they're getting there.
The work will only take place in the western part of the space, which is controlled by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The eastern portion of the plaza, with a historic structure controlled by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and guarded by bollards, is not part of the plan.
As shown in the above image, the purple indicates space for a bike lane, and a neckdown to make for a shorter crossing of Flatbush. Heavy planters would be movable (with a forklift). Also movable would be tables and chairs. There's space for a vending kiosk operated by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, bike racks and trash cans.
The plans have been approved by the city's Public Design Commission (PDC), but "we’ve been under DOT review for several months," Solish said. That agency shares the plans with other impacted agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection, and sends back comments.
"Then we’ll address them," Solish, said, and "start building as soon as we get that"--and additional approval by the PDC.
The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership will maintain the space, as they maintain several other public plazas.
Railyard "substantially complete"
The new Vanderbilt Yard is "substantially complete," Solish said. "The Long Island Rail Road has total control."
There is still some ongoing punch list work and lighting, he said.
Has the LIRR signed off on final completion, I asked?
Not yet.
Note that there's a difference between completion and "completed and acceptable," as with the temporary railyard.
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