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But for 180 Broadway, one of the major culprits when it comes to the constant jack-hammering and other noise, the disturbances will be less frequent and not as annoying, according to project supervisor Robert DeWitt, senior vice president of construction at SL Green Realty Corp.
The real estate investment firm, which is building a 19-story dormitory for Pace University at the site, recently began erecting the new building’s superstructure. The necessary demolition and foundation work was completed around Thanksgiving.
While construction-related vibrations will be kept to a minimum, most of the noise moving forward will be limited to trucks carrying concrete and other materials to the site, DeWitt said.
“The majority of the noisy work which the neighbors and community can hear was done for demolition, to get to this point before the holidays,” said DeWitt during an interview at the construction site last week, where 80 workers were busily setting rebar for concrete that will make up the building’s subbasement. “As we’re going up, there’ll be noise of concrete trucks and there’ll be noise of workers on the inside, but I don’t think it’ll be to the extent of the demolition.”
Though SL Green will soon be removing the vibration monitors previously installed in 176 Broadway and 12 John St., DeWitt said he and his team continue to converse regularly with the buildings’ residents and construction managers heed their concerns about the disruptions.
“They’ve been rebuilding down here for the last 10 years, and unfortunately our project is coming at the tail end,” said DeWitt. “[Residents] have been frustrated for several years, so we’re trying to help them through it.”
DeWitt has also stopped in at nearby businesses to talk to owners and employees who have felt hassled by the construction.
However, Nelson Guncay, manager of Nu-Way Shoe Repairs at 12 John St., a few doors down from 180 Broadway, hasn’t yet received a visit. Business, he said, has dropped by 20 percent this year, largely due, in his opinion, to the nearby construction.
And, while Guncay and area residents attested to less noise and fewer vibrations in recent weeks, some remain wary to jump to optimistic conclusions.
“It’s nothing like before, when they were ripping down the building, but I’d like to see it [continue], and then I can really believe it,” echoed Mary Ann Moy, who lives on the fifth floor of 12 John St., which borders the 180 Broadway site.
While 176 Broadway resident John Reuther feels somewhat reassured by SL Green, he is still concerned that the loud noise and strong vibrations will resume once the new building reaches the height of his 16th floor penthouse.
“They’ll be gradually building up to our level, right next to our windows,” said Reuther.
SL Green is using a variety of mitigation tactics to continue to reduce noise levels, according to DeWitt.
“We’re working with [construction manager] Tishman Construction to use the minimal amount of equipment on site and the most noise-efficient equipment on site,” DeWitt said.
The developer is also cutting down on weekend work at the site.
Asked about future weekend hours, DeWitt said, “In the past, we started at 10 a.m. on Saturdays, rather than starting at 7 a.m., as an accommodation to the neighbors; and we usually work until 3 p.m.”
According to Catherine McVay Hughes, a resident of 176 Broadway and the vice chairperson of Community Board 1, SL Green “has listened to the concerns of the neighbors and made adjustments to minimize the impact on the surrounding residential community.”
“This is much appreciated, and we hope that they they continue to be good neighbors,” said McVay Hughes. “Hopefully, they are now on schedule with the end of 2012 completion date, so that the sidewalks can be returned to the people at that time, if not sooner.”
“We’re on schedule, as we’ve promised, to wrap up construction towards the end of 2012 or in the first quarter of 2013,” said DeWitt.
