The LMCCC's work will continue through December 31, 2013

While its main charge has been to help mitigate and facilitate construction south of Canal Street, since last fall, the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center (LMCCC) also has helped coordinated some of the Hurricane Sandy downtown recovery efforts.

The agency presented a general update to the Community Board 1 Planning Committee this month, breaking down some of the hurricane-recovery steps and latest logistics affecting the downtown community.

Click here to view the full LMCCC presentation in PDF format.

Since November 2012, the LMCCC has seen 302 pieces of hurricane-related emergency equipment drop to 101 pieces. Acting Executive Director Joe Simenic reported that the equipment consists of various sizes of generators (the most common machinery placed on the street), dehumidifiers, chillers, oil tanks, and other units. He added that most of the equipment now on the street may not even be in active use, and it is his expectation that much of this equipment will be removed in the next 30 days.

Air and noise monitoring also was key to maintaining quality of life downtown throughout the hurricane recovery. The LMCCC worked with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), city Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and other agencies to track air quality and noise decibel levels, especially in "Zone A" areas that were flooded and saw the most on-street equipment. This included both mobile monitoring, as well as the addition of more stationary air monitors early in January 2013.

Both categories of air-particle readings -- PM 10 and PM 2.5, which account for both sawdust-size particulate matter and fine dust -- have fallen in recent weeks, but a half-dozen exceedances for both categories were logged promptly, and allowed the appropriate agencies to make corrections and adjustments. (View the latest air-monitoring reports here.)

The LMCCC continues to track and monitor scores of projects from Tribeca and Chinatown, to Battery Park City and the Financial District. Simenic said that "peak construction volume" in the area concluded in late 2012, in part because World Trade Center (WTC) rebuilding is gradually winding down. However, even as work on that large site diminishes, several new and stalled private projects are on line through 2014 and beyond -- as are the potential construction of 3 WTC, the WTC Performing Arts Center, WTC Memorial and Museum completion, and a yet-to-be designed tower adjacent to the Vehicular Security Center.

Overall trucking demand in particular has dropped significantly as both 1 WTC and 4 WTC topped out at 105 and 72 stories, respectively, meaning fewer delivery and concrete vehicles traveling through the site.

The city's street-reconstruction and infrastructure projects also are continuing in several locations, with more slated to begin in coming years on Broadway, John Street, Worth Street, and Warren Street. The LMCCC will continue to coordinate between city agencies, utility companies, and adjacent projects.

Through 2014 and beyond, several dozen private projects will either begin or be completed. They will bring about the addition of approximately 2,630 new residential units and 2,535 hotel keys -- all south of Canal Street.

Weekly meetings, regular inter-agency coordination, and ongoing response to community requests will remain at the core of the LMCCC's operations through 2013, when its Executive Orders will expire on December 31st.

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