Big, if true: master developer Greenland says, despite lull, platform construction "likely to begin" later this year. It was previously slated to start in 2020 & 2022.

File this under the category of "big, if true," but, based on the torturous history of Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park, take it with a grain of salt.

According to the latest six-month project look-ahead (bottom) that master developer Greenland Forest City Partners--dominated by Greenland USA--has filed with New York State, construction of the platform over the first of two railyard blocks is "likely to begin."

That's crucial to the progress of the project, as it would enable three towers.

That language is more optimistic than "may commence," which is what appeared in the five previous iterations of the document. 

However, certain drags on future tower construction--the high cost of the platform, likely at last $200 million; high interest rates; and the state's failure to renew the 421-a tax break, as cited by former Greenland executive Scott Solish--presumably limit the incentive to proceed, as do the financial struggles of Greenland USA's Shanghai-parent Greenland Holdings Corp.

The incentives include--presumably--the obligation to complete 876 (or 877) more affordable units by May 2025, as well as annual payments of $11 million to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for railyard development rights.

Given that each missing unit would incur a $2,000/month fine, Greenland is surely trying to renegotiate. A representative of Empire State Development (ESD), the state authority that oversees/shepherds the project, has indicated a distinct unwillingness to enforce the fines.

If there are renegotiations, Greenis also perhaps even seeking financial help to build the platform. 

Past plans

Only once in the previous six-month look-aheads did the platform seem a go. In the 5/6/20 memo covering the second half of 2020, GFCP pronounced, unwisely in retrospect, that "Platform construction will commence." It didn't happen.

This didn't start

That said, in June 2022, Greenland very much seemed ready to start the platform, even circulating a Community Notice (above right) about street closings, but the work never commenced. 

No explanation was issued, though an ESD representative at an April 2023 meeting of the (purportedly) advisory Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation, suggested permitting challenges with the Long Island Rail Road, which still must operate the Vanderbilt Yard, used to store and service trains.

No representative of Greenland was present. Scott Solish, the Greenland executive who's led their Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park work departed in February and no full replacement has been announced, though Jen Kuang was said to have taken some responsibilities.

Note that, in the past month, Greenland hasn't even bothered to circulate two-week Consruction Updates indicating new work, though the Update for the two weeks starting May 29 oddly restored some odd boilerplate that suggested that platform construction might start. Was that an error, or a portent?

Three towers

The platform--between Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street, and Sixth and Carlton avenues--would support three towers (B5, B6, B7), which could include the required affordable units.

If the platform does start, it's hard to imagine that Greenland will do so without having renegotiated some of its future obligations.

Public discussions?

This all should be discussed at a public meeting. The Quality of Life meetings were supposed to be held on a bi-monthly schedule, but that slacked last year, and the most recent one--without any Greenland representatives--was held last February.

Follow-ups should've been scheduled in April and in June. Similarly, if the Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation meets every three months--as required, though not fulfilled--it should meet in July and the future of the platform would presumably be under discussion.

From the document

The memo, from Greenland executive Kuang--who's never spoken at a public meeting, and has stepped up somewhat since Solish's departure--states, in part:

During this reporting period, construction of the platform is likely to begin. Several essential tasks are expected to be carried out, such as installing fences to mark the designated construction area, providing temporary construction access to facilitate the movement of personnel, equipment, and material, excavation for foundations, extending perimeter retaining walls, and mobilizing a trailer office facility for project management and administrative operations. The equipment details will be provided at the start of the project. The south side of the yard will be accessed by utilizing the LIRR ramp, which is conveniently connected to the 6th Avenue Bridge. The provision of ramp access is contingent upon its availability from LIRR, which has been duly notified.

It adds:

The B6 and B7 sites, formerly known as the Bump Buildings, may be used for contractors to stage equipment and material during this reporting period. An estimated 50 to 100 skilled workers are expected to be actively engaged in the construction of the platform.