Deconstruction permits are expected to be received next week

This week, the team working to deconstruct the 130 Liberty Street building presented the latest project details and safety plan. Speaking to Community Board 1 on October 6th, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), the building owner, and its contractor Bovis Lend Lease reported that abatement of the 26-story structure is now complete.

View the LMDC’s presentation here.

That abatement work concludes the last major phase before deconstruction, with crews now mobilizing to begin that process. Among their many preparations, well-trained workers are replacing the black plastic netting on the building with fire-retardant blue netting, removing all work sheds and plumbing, and erecting fire-retardant plywood around the uppermost floors.

Deconstruction of the former 40-story Deutsche Bank tower was suspended in August 2007 after a fire occurred on the 13th through 18th floors. Abatement work resumed in May 2008 and officially concluded last month.

The new plan to deconstruct the remaining 26 floors involves a mechanically “controlled” method that has specialists in ironwork and engineering cutting steel beams and breaking concrete floor slabs into rubble. As it is created, debris will be lowered to the ground by tower crane in containers, with strict worker and community safety procedures in place, always monitored by inspectors, regulators, and fire guards.

With all the preparations complete and regulatory agencies on board, contractor Bovis anticipates deconstruction could begin before the end of the month, pending final city permitting. Timeline details will be posted on LowerManhattan.info as they are announced.

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