No news yet on first phase of Vanderbilt Yard platform--MTA or contractor hold-up?--but DOB gave its approval last December

As I wrote in August, construction of the long-awaited platform over the first block of the Vanderbilt Yard, necessary to support construction of three towers and deliver the required affordable housing, was supposed to commence in the second half of the year, according to a memo dated May 6 from the main project developer, Greenland USA, to state officials.

Nothing's happened so far--and the reason for the hold-up is unclear. Are there complex negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which operates the railyard? Have the bids for the work come in too high? Has the coronavirus crisis put everything on hold?

As I wrote in September, asked about whether the platform over the first of two railyard blocks would start in 2020, as once promised, and whether a contractor has been signed, Greenland's Scott Solish said they had no “formal news” on the contractor. That choice of language could mean they have gotten closer to a contract, or just could just have been cagey.

As I wrote in July, a state official said Greenland was working with the Long Island Rail Road regarding approvals for the platform over that first block, between Sixth and Carlton avenues, and Pacific Street and Atlantic Avenue. 

DOB approval

Indeed, while there may be negotiations with the MTA, it looks like the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) has approved the developer's plans for the western block of the railyard, 716 Atlantic Avenue, Block 1120, Lot 19. 

As shown in the graphic at right, that includes SOE (support of excavation) work, structural work, foundation work, and overall platform work--all granted 12/5/19, leaving time to begin such work in 2020.

(What about the eastern block and second phase? Nothing has been filed, and all the lot numbers on Block 1121 are considered obsolete by DOB.) 

Here's the Virtual Job Folder. 

Preparatory work

As stated in one document, excerpted below, "Existing foundations to support the platform were built previously under LIRR authorization. Testing reports for such foundations will be submitted as supporting documentation." 

What's unclear is what percentage of the needed work has already been done. (And whether the recent work to clean and weatherize the Sixth Avenue Access Ramp is a precursor.)