February 16th - February 20th, 2009
East – West Connector Progressing
February 17 – Eight hundred tons of steel and 1,000 cubic yards of concrete have been used so far in the construction of the East-West connector, which will link the Fulton Street subway station to the World Financial Center. In a story in The Daily News, Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward said the connector is about 50% completed; construction began in June. He predicts pedestrians will be using the corridor in late 2013 or early 2014. It’s estimated that 100,000 people will use the connector every day. On the north side of 1,300 foot passageway, there will be 50,00 square feet of retail shops; the south side will be a stone facade behind which will lie the 9/11 Memorial.
Ferry Terminal Set to Open
February 17 – The Battery Park City’s new floating ferry terminal is set to open next month and a report in The New York Post says the project is over budget. The report said the final price tag for the terminal will be $91.5 million, almost three times the original cost. The terminal will be able to land five ferries simultaneously.
Lower Union and Contractor Rates Sought
February 18 – Talks are continuing between construction unions and contractors on how to reduce labor costs on projects in NYC. The New York Observer reports both sides are working towards a city-wide agreement to reduce labor costs through streamlining in the hope of avoiding delays on key construction projects. Streamlining onerous labor requirements in union contracts is a key focus of the talks. The story says labor costs account for 50 percent of the project costs; developers are warning that without a drop in labor costs, projects on the books now may have to be scrapped.
130 Liberty Deconstruction to be Complete Fall 2009
February 19 – The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation told The New York Post that decontamination of 130 Liberty Street would be finished by the end of March. The paper also said deconstruction of the remaining 26 floors of the building will begin in April and be completed by the fall.
Excessive Manganese Levels Reported at 130 Liberty
February 19 – On February 17, excessive levels of manganese were reported in the air in the area around the Deutsche bank building. The LMDC told The Battery Park Broadsheet Daily that it sent out an e-blast to notify the community. LMDC said the EPA and the City DEP were notified also. The readings apparently came from welding operations in the basement of the Deutsche bank building, work at 130 Cedar Street, local truck traffic and work being performed by the Port Authority. An LMDC spokesman said the community was never in danger and it was a very small amount over the allowed limit.
130 Liberty Street Public Meeting Scheduled
February 20 - Assembly Speaker Silver’s office announced it will hold a public meeting on the LMDC’s deconstruction plan for 130 Liberty Street on March 5th at 5:30 pm at 250 Broadway. The LMDC has posted the plan on its website - renewnyc.com
Wall Street Streetscape Makes Progress
February 20 – The City’s Economic Development Corporation announced its overhaul of streetscape around Wall Street is making progress. The Downtown Express reported that by the end of the summer, the security barriers between Wall and Broad Streets will be replaced by bronze cubes and the streets will have fresh cobblestones and new street furniture.
Mayor Seeks Funds for Governors Island
February 20 – Mayor Michael Bloomberg is urging the state to shift money from the Hudson River Park to fund Governors Island. “We’re not walking away from Governor’s Island. The state has a commitment to fund half of it and they’re not coming up with monies.” GIPEC, the Governor’s Island Preservation and Education Corporation, said if there’s no money, there won’t be a free ferry to the island this spring.
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