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I thought I would start a new thread on the deconstruction of The Deutsche Bank Building at 130 Liberty Street.
On August 31, 2004, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation took ownership of the building located at 130 Liberty Street, previously known as the DeutscheBankBuilding. The building was badly damaged on September 11, 2001, and has since stood as a grim reminder of the events of that day. As another important step in its mission to rebuild Lower Manhattan, the LMDC has begun cleaning and deconstructing the building to permit the redevelopment of the WorldTradeCenter site. Prior to work beginning, a detailed deconstruction plan was approved by city, state and federal agencies to ensure safe and effective abatement, removal and disposal of various contaminants in a manner that protects the health of the people who work and live in the area. The deconstruction is scheduled to be completed in the spring 2007.
I got an update on the Deutsche Bank from the Lower Manhatten Development Co.
Scaffolding Installation
Regional Scaffolding has completed installation of the “needle beams” on all four sides of the building, which serve as the support structure for the scaffolding. Scaffolding erection is now progressing on top of the needle beams. In addition to the erection of the scaffolding, the existing netting is being treated and removed in a counterclockwise direction around the building.
It is critical that the erection of scaffolding be completed before the onset of winter weather, when winds and freezing temperatures make scaffolding installation more difficult. Therefore, Saturday work shifts will continue at least through the beginning of December to ensure the completion of this critical phase.
Hoist Installation
Regional Scaffolding has also begun installing a hoist on the South side of the building. As the hoist is erected, some windows will be removed from the building to provide access between the hoist and the building. Prior to removing the windows, the area is isolated by constructing negative pressure containments on the interior of the building near the window. Abatement is completed within the containment areas, the glass is cleaned and, only after a thorough inspection and air sampling demonstrates the area is safe, the window is removed.
Yesterday afternoon, during a period of high wind, fragments of glass from a window pane on the south side of the building came loose. Some of the glass fell into the perimeter protection area, but a few small pieces fell onto Albany Street after first hitting the sidewalk shed. No work was taking place in the area where the window was located.
The site safety team from our general contractor, Bovis Lend Lease, immediately closed the street to pedestrians. As per protocol, they then contacted the LMDC and the LowerManhattanConstructionCommandCenter. Representatives from both agencies immediately reported to the scene.
Workers removed the remainder of the loose glass from the window and installed boards in the opening. The LMDC also directed the contractors to install cantilevers off of the sidewalk sheds to provide an additional level of protection over the sidewalks and streets. That work began today and will be completed tomorrow (Nov. 18th). In addition, at the regular morning safety meeting todayworkers were directed to be extremely vigilant of cracks in the glass.
As the scaffolding is erected and the netting is removed, we will be able to closely inspect each piece of glass. Inspections are already taking place in the areas where the scaffolding has been erected.
The incident response protocol in this situation was effective. Safety remains the highest priority of the LMDC and all of the contractors working on the 130 Liberty Street deconstruction project.
Work at the 130 Liberty Street job site is progressing on schedule. As of Friday, the scaffolding has been erected up to the 20th floor, the south hoist has been erected to the 10th floor and the vestibules– areas that workers use to get from the hoist to the building - are complete through the 35th floor.
LMDC Provides Funding For CERT to Cover 130 Liberty St. Area
The LMDC will be providing funding to the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to enhance community emergency preparedness in the area of 130 Liberty Street. OEM will use the money to fund the expansion of the Battery Park City Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The expanded CERT will work throughout the neighborhood to educate the community about the project and provide information on how to respond in the event of an emergency. Working with OEM, the CERT will be recruiting workers and residents in the area of 130 Liberty Street to become members and will provide in-depth training, including first aid and first responder assistance, and information about OEM’s Ready New York program. All CERT volunteers must undergo a 27 hour training course. The CERT will also be prepared to assist first responders in the event of an emergency by identifying residents, especially those with physical impairments or other special needs, assisting with evacuation when necessary, educating and informing the residents of developments, and providing traffic and crowd control.
Safety Drill
As part of our extensive safety protocols, worker safety drills take place on a regular basis. The next evacuation drill will be conducted on December 8th. A handheld radio system is used for the drill so neighboring residents and workers will not hear the drill. Workers will muster within the site. The New York City Fire Department has been notified of this drill.
The government plans to test inside some lower Manhattan buildings for World Trade Center dust.The 7 million dollar effort covers an area south of Canal Street in Manhattan. Tests will be conducted for asbestos, lead and other other substances that could pose health risks unless they are cleaned up.
Critics say the Environmental Protection agency plan doesn't far enough and is voluntary. Distrust remains from the early days following Nine-Eleven when then-E-P-A Administrator Christine Todd Whitman assured New Yorkers that the air was safe to breath.
The E-P-A says the test plan "incorporates the best science available."
While work is moving along well, we have been experiencing some delays as a result of the transit strike. Unfortunately, some workers have not been able to get to the site and that has slowed work down.
As of today, scaffolding is complete thru the 25th floor, and is expected to reach the 30th floor by the end of next week if the weather cooperates. The vestibules connecting the hoist to the inside of the building are completed through the 24th floor on the north side of the building.
On Monday December 19, 2005, URS moved its trailer to the corner of Cedar St and Washington St. Bovis has also installed fencing to enclose Cedar St. entirely from 90 West St. to Washington St.
Additional Safety Precautions
Safety continues to be the number one priority of the LMDC on this job. The sidewalk bridge along the west side of Greenwich Street is being re-erected at double the height of the old one to provide additional protection for pedestrians walking along Greenwich Street. This new sidewalk shed includes "catchalls" which provide additional protection to those on the street. Catchalls were also installed along Albany Street several weeks ago. This work is expected to be complete by the end of this week.
Worker safety meetings continue to occur daily on the job site.
Friday (Dec 30th) morning, as workers were continuing to install the scaffolding at 130 Liberty St., a worker fell on the scaffolding and was injured. The worker was able to walk to the personnel hoist and wasthen taken to a local hospital for treatment. The incident did not result in any impact on the surrounding community and work is proceeding as scheduled.
The emergency protocols put in place by LMDC and the contractors were followed and resulted in a prompt response to the incident. The site safety manager immediately contacted appropriate LMDC personnel and they are reviewing the incident.
Work at 130 Liberty St. site is progressing well. As of Friday, January 20th, scaffolding had reached the 38th floor and is expected to be complete this week, weather permitting. The netting has been completely removed and the south hoist is complete. Work on the north hoist is to begin this week. A 16-foot high sidewalk bridge has been completed along Greenwich Street (between Albany Street and Liberty Street) as well as “catch-alls” with wire mesh to provide added protection to vehicles and pedestrians on Greenwich Street.
Deconstruction of The Deutsche Bank Building
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