The report gathers details for every Lower Manhattan project

Now tracking more than 22 million square feet of downtown real estate, the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center (LMCCC) continues to serve as the central agency for all rebuilding work below Canal Street. With peak construction traffic expected in 2012, the agency is keeping tabs on everything from planning and permitting, to logistics tracking, to mapping and community outreach.

LMCCC Executive Director Robert Harvey presented the latest overview of the agency’s coordination, mitigation, and communication efforts to Community Board 1 on Monday. The report gathers details for every Lower Manhattan project, which are added to a general database. The LMCCC then projects timelines that are key to construction coordination. For example, planners can view when peak trucking, labor, or concrete demand is expected, and work out details for their own projects to run more smoothly.

Currently, the delays in World Trade Center (WTC) redevelopment as well as other private projects have pushed back the expected peak-construction period to 2011-2012. By then, an average of 600 to 700 trucks will need to enter Lower Manhattan every day to access any of several dozen work sites -- including the Fulton Street Transit Center, East River Waterfront, Hudson, World Trade Center site, Chambers utility projects, and various private projects.

The LMCCC also is employing new technology in several ways. The new Intelligent Transportation System helps maintain traffic flow, complete with real-time camera and sensors that tie into the city Department of Transportation network. The LMCCC also monitors for air quality and noise levels, and promotes environmental performance commitments.

The project schedules are key to coordinating work

The “4D” map also incorporates an innovative time-slider, which, for example, allows users to see a building go from a vacant site to a completed tower, according to developers’ schedules.

Recently, the LMCCC announced its partnership with the New York Building Congress (NYBC) to implement its Construction for a Livable City program. The program recognizes construction projects that excel in: operations and safety, environmental impact, worksite image and design, and community relations. Projects that exceed the Livable City standards will earn Worksite Achievement Awards and be recognized on the LMCCC’s website, www.lowermanhattan.info.

Harvey added that over the coming months his agency is focusing much of its effort on the upcoming 10th anniversary of 9/11. That includes construction-site beautification, and possibly being the first neighborhood to use the new “urban umbrella” scaffolds design, though plans have yet to be announced.

“We expect rebuilding work to be nearly to its peak around the tenth anniversary,” said Harvey. “That is also when we anticipate a great number of visitors to Lower Manhattan. For those reasons, in addition to the Command Center’s regular operations, our role will remain vital to both construction progress and local quality of life in coming years.”

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