Latest six-month look-ahead maintains fuzzy prediction: "Platform construction may commence." B15 tower ("Plank Road") somewhat delayed?

Well, there's no update yet regarding the next key stage of Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park: whether and when the platform over the Vanderbilt Yard, to be constructed in two stages and support three towers each, will be built. That platform is crucial to the project's affordable housing obligations, as well as the future open space.

The latest iteration of the required six-month look-ahead (bottom) required of master Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park developer Greenland Forest City Partners, again--as in November 2020--says that "Platform construction may commence during the reporting period." The workforce would average 50 to 100 workers.

(I received the document, dated 5/1/21, from Empire State Development, which oversees/shepherds the project, after a Freedom of Information Law request.)

In May 2020, the document stated, with unreliable certainty, that the construction "will commence." At a public meeting 12/10/20, Greenland USA's Scott Solish said that, while they had a contractor to work on the platform, they had no timetable to start, given discussions about coordination with the Long Island Rail Road.

Greenland, in a New York Post article 9/30/19 headlined Brooklyn’s Pacific Park moves to fast track, had claimed it would start the first of two platform segments in 2020. At least two and perhaps three towers are required to deliver 877 more units of affordable housing--albeit with a broad definition of "affordable"--by a 5/31/25 deadline. That would mean 2,250 units total.

While it remains possible to meet that deadline, especially given the developer's willingness to pursue after-hours work (and the city's acceptance of such), the window to do so is shrinking--and may require a legislative "fix," according to the head of ESD, which could mean a tweak of the 421-a tax break and/or extension of the deadline.

Note that the first of the two blocks could support enough apartments to meet the affordable housing obligation, but the second of the blocks would supply most of the promised open space--and that might take until 2035.

B15 (Plank Road) slower than optimal

While the extent of the delay is unclear, it looks like the B15 (662 Pacific St.) tower is proceeding more slowly than is optimal.

"The interior construction program is in progress and completion of the project is anticipated in Q1 2022," the document states. 

Note that "completion of the [residential] project" likely mean final completion, and it's likely lower floors can be occupied--assuming the building gets a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for those floors--while the rest of the building is being finished. So move-ins could start this year

However, test marketing for the building, dubbed Plank Road, began in May, just weeks after Greenland's Solish said 5/11/21 they were "still on track" for a summer opening. More recently, at a 7/13/21 meeting, Empire State Development--surely conveying information supplied by Solish--said B15 does not have a current move-in date. 

Construction of the school at the base should take longer, with completion in 2024.

B4 (Brooklyn Crossing) takes longer, opens sooner

Meanwhile, the giant B4 tower (18 Sixth Ave., just dubbed Brooklyn Crossing, as I reported) is not expected to be completed until Q4 2022, according to the latest look-ahead.

However, that 858-unit building is already expected to have move-ins during the fourth quarter of 2021, as stated at last week's Quality of Life meeting. Again, it's likely that the lower floors of this 51-story building will be cleared for occupancy before higher floors.

Work at B12/B13

On the southeast block of the project site, work at the B12/B13 site (615 Dean St. and 595 Dean St.) has progressed.

Last year and earlier this year, the focus was on excavation and foundation work, averaging 25 to 50 workers, with equipment including excavators, back-hoes, front end loaders, dump trucks, and caisson driving rigs, tie back rigs, etc.

Underground plumbing and electrical work began earlier this year, as well as concrete superstructure work, with the workforce increasing to an average of 60 to 150 workers.

In the latest look-ahead, concrete superstructure work continues, with two tower cranes, plus hoist and sidewalk shed installation. Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection work and drywall and carpentry work begin, and work later in the year includes interior concrete blocks (CMUs, or concrete masonry units) and the beginning of work on windows and elevators. There could be an average of 275 to 475 workers.

Work at B15

Regarding B15 (662 Pacific St.), the interior construction program is in progress and completion of the project is anticipated in Q1 2022," the document states. The workforce should average about 150 workers per day. The hoist will remain in place until the third quarter of this year.

Work at B4

Regarding at B4 (18 Sixth Ave.), interior construction is in progress and "completion of the project is anticipated in Q4 2022." The work force will continue to average about 200 workers per day.