From the latest Construction Update: first block of crucial platform finally set to start within next two weeks, will focus on first of six railyard towers

Well, maybe Pacific Park is getting on track, even if it's not the "fast track" announced by the New York Post 9/30/19, citing Greenland USA's unreliable claim that it would in 2020 start the first of two segments of the platform needed to cover the MTA's Vanderbilt Yard and remove the "blight"--remember, the justification of eminent domain--of an uncovered railyard.

That platform is finally set to start, building on precursor work near Sixth Avenue and Atlantic Avenue, as shown in the photo at left.

The news came in the latest Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Construction Update (bottom), covering the two weeks beginning Monday, May 2. It was circulated yesterday at 4:41 pm (lead time) by Empire State Development (ESD) after preparation by Greenland Forest City Partners, which is dominated by Greenland USA. 

The big news--though there's been ample precursor evidence--is that first block of the two-block platform over the active railyard should start within the two weeks, with a focus on the northwest section of the platform, which will support B5, the first tower over the platform. The work will be 7 am to 3:30 pm, though let's see if after-hours work eventually starts.

The developer has not made any public statement yet--will there be a puff piece placed in the New York Post?--but there is a May 10 Quality of Life meeting where the developer, and representatives of Empire State Development, the state authority that oversees/shepherds the project, are supposed to offer updates and answer questions.

Just east of the Barclays Center

B5 center-left, plus (built) B4; Dattner Architects

The work will be on Block 1120, which is bounded by Sixth and Carlton avenues, and Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street. I wrote last week that the developer had permits for both the platform and for B5, the 682-unit tower just east of Sixth Avenue. 

So it's unclear to me why the Construction Update cites "pending receipt of necessary permits."

The document states:

• Pending receipt of necessary permits, preliminary foundation work including but not limited to installation of reinforced concrete foundations, columns, and floor Slab is scheduled to commence at yard level in the North-West corner site.
• Protocols and facilities have been put in place to ensure an orderly, safe workplace by following LIRR requirements and permits, including Monday through Friday start times at 7:00 am and lasting until 3:30 pm.
• Appropriate dust and noise mitigation measures will be in place for the aforementioned activities.

Note that there's a significant amount of precursor work already, as shown in the photo at left.

The site plan, below, suggests that B5, at the western third of the railyard block, requires the most platform work, while B6 and B7 can rely partly on terra firma, which juts south of Atlantic Avenue. 

The developer needs to get foundations placed by June 15 to qualify for the 421-a tax break--and, likely, 30% affordable housing at a generous 130% of Area Median Income (AMI), which now could mean rents over $3,000.

At Atlantic Avenue and Sixth Avenue

Also, a permanent sidewalk is being installed on Atlantic Avenue outside the B4 tower, 18 Sixth Ave., aka Brooklyn Crossing.

Utility work pending/continuing

Also, utility work is both continuing and pending at the southeast block of the site, beyond the National Grid work that, long predicted, finally started in the previous period and should end within the next two weeks (rather than extend for up to four weeks as previously floated):

National Grid started installation of new high pressure gas main on Dean St. The gas piping being installed by National Grid is beneath the sidewalk on Carlton Ave. between Pacific and Dean Streets and will be beneath the sidewalk for a portion of Dean Street. The expected duration of work is two (2) weeks per National Grid. Parking spaces may be reduced and / or temporary eliminated on Dean St. while this work is being performed. No parking signs will be posted accordingly by National Grid.

As previously predicted multiple times, Con Ed may be on site to install interconnection feeder cables between vaults 

Verizon has pulled new fiber optic cables on Dean Street and Altice has installed new telecom conduits. Both will advise if any additional work is required.  

RCN is yet again expected to pull new fiber optic cables on Dean Street, but the exact start time / date and duration for this work has not yet been confirmed

After-hours work continues; some (yet again) misreported 

Regarding after-hours work at B4 (18 Sixth Ave.), the Construction Update accurately lists weekday work 5 am to 10 pm. Saturday work is listed accurately as 9 am to 5 pm. Sunday work can be the same hours, but there are no after-hours variances yet.

Regarding after-hours work at B12 & B13, the document states weekday work hours are 6 am to 6 pm. It also says "Saturday work from 9 AM – 5 PM will continue."

Well, there's are no current variances listed, but last Saturday's variance was again until 5:30 pm, continuing a pattern, representing a small but not unimportant advantage, and nondisclosure. Nobody bothers to check.