From the latest Construction Update: still waiting for announced platform work to start; some progress on southeast block

The latest Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Construction Update (bottom), covering the two weeks beginning Monday, Sept. 19, was circulated at 5:13 pm yesterday (lead time) by Empire State Development (ESD) after preparation by Greenland Forest City Partners (GFCP), which is dominated by Greenland USA. 

Again, it didn't tell us much. I saw little new compared to the previous update, and the document again excludes the most dramatic change around the project footprint--the work at the arena plaza for revamping of the pavement and other features. 

Six weeks ago, new work was announced on the southeast block, at the B12/B13 (615 Dean St./595 Dean St.) sites: the removal of the West Courtyard Sidewalk Shed and the installation of new courtyard fencing. That was delayed but has been completed.

Also, in red, indicatiung new work on that southeast block: courtyard fencing between the East tower and 550 Vanderbilt Ave. as well as the West tower and 535 Carlton Ave. will be completed during this reporting period. Work on the open space will continue.

Also, among various pending utility work, RCN has pulled new fiber optic cables on Dean St. RCN will advise if any additional work is required on Dean St. in the near future.

Platform work may start 

For some four months, they've suggested that the preparatory stage of platform work--crucial to three of the six towers over the Vanderbilt Yard--will finally start, but it still requires, as stated permits to constrain sidewalk access and traffic around the block bounded by Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street and by Sixth and Carlton Avenues. 

That's the first block of platform work. Evidence suggests the Department of Buildings is still asking questions; perhaps we'll learn more at the Quality of Life meeting on Tuesday.

Afer-hours work continues; again incorrect 

Regarding after-hours work at B4 (18 Sixth Ave.), the Construction Update states--as it did two weeks ago--"weekday start times at 7 pm and lasting until 6 pm." 

That was previously wrong, since, after-hours variances until Sept. 15 allowed a weekday start at 5 am, with work until 10 pm, and omitted after-hours variances for Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. 

There are no variances listed currently, but let's see if they surface in the next days.

Regarding after-hours work at B12 & B13 (615 Dean St/595 Dean St.) on the southeast block, the document accurately says there's a variance for work to start at 6 am on weekdays.

It also says "Saturday work from 9 AM – 5 PM will continue." As with the past months, the variance for today is 9 am to 5:30 pm.

That continues a pattern. They--GFCP and site developer TF Cornerstone--just don't care about getting it right.