From the latest Construction Update: overnight track work for three nights over next two weekends means light towers "minimizing" impact on neighbors. Again, after-hours work misleadingly minimized

The latest Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Construction Update (bottom), covering the two weeks beginning Monday, Jan. 11 (today), was circulated Friday at 2:58 pm (lead time) by Empire State Development (ESD) after preparation by Greenland Forest City Partners. 

The news, compared to the previous Update, is that potentially disruptive track work planned for the two blocks of the Vanderbilt Yard, both this weekend and next, starting 9 pm Friday January 15 and January 22, and finishing by 4 am Monday January 18 and January 25, respectively. 

The work "may require the use of portable light towers," according to the notice. "The light towers will be positioned to illuminate only the work zone in the Yard thereby minimizing impact to the surrounding community."

Note that the track record for such work is that the lighting does not necessarily minimize impact but penetrates people's homes. 

The reason for such work is not stated. Is this the final completion of the new railyard? Is this related to potential construction of the platform? Both?

After-hours work, officially stated

It's again important to contrast the after-hours work announced in the Construction Update, at right, and that disclosed by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), cited below.

Regarding the B4 (18 Sixth Ave.) and B15 (662 Pacific St.) towers, the Construction Update cites weekday work from 7 am to 6 pm, with after-hours variances (AHVs) for all work from 6-9 pm and for Deliveries, Garbage Removal, Hoist and Crane Operation from 6-7 am.

"Saturday permits when received, are for all work" 9 am to 5 pm, the document states.

Regarding B12 (615 Dean St.) and B13 (595 Dean St.), "Saturday work will continue during this reporting period." No hours are stated. 

After-hours work, in reality

The Construction Update continues a pattern of lying, which is, um, troubling.

According to the Department of Buildings (DOB), B4 has weekday AHVs (through Jan. 21 and Jan. 20, respectively) that start at 5 am, not 6 am, and go through 10 pm, not 9 pm. Example at right.

According to the DOB, the AHV for weekday work at B15 does start at 6 am, but weeknight work goes through 10 pm, not 9 pm. 

Moreover, B15 has an AHV for work Sunday 9 am to 5 pm, though no Sunday work is mentioned in the update.

(Yes, Saturday work at both is 9 am to 5 pm.)

Regading B12/B13, no AHVs are listed as of yet, but previous AHVs for Saturday have allowed work from 7 am to 3:30 pm, not, as disclosed in one previous Update, from 9 am to 3:30 pm.

Construction progress

At B15, the window installation has progressed through the 20th floor; it was previously at the 19th floor of the 28-story building.

Community concerns

The Community Liaison Office located at 550 Vanderbilt Avenue is temporarily closed. The CLO can be reached by phone at 866-923-5315 and by email at communityliaison@pacificparkbrooklyn.com.