Breaking: ESDC Halts Atlantic Yards Demolitions

The Empire State Development Corp. has temporarily halted the demolitions on the Atlantic Yards site following yesterday’s “parapet collapse” at Ward Bakery. Curbed reported the development a few minutes ago, and a release from the ESDC is now circulating. Here’s the text of the release:

The partial collapse Thursday at the Ward Bakery building created serious disruptions. We’re thankful that no one was hurt and we recognize the need for the Atlantic Yards project to continue to progress safely, without causing disorder in the lives of residents in the surrounding neighborhoods.

To that end, the Empire State Development Corporation and developer Forest City Ratner have agreed that the developer will temporarily suspend all abatement and demolition activities until the City’s Department of Buildings concludes its preliminary investigation or the City directs us otherwise.

This incident requires a reassurance to the community of the buildings’ soundness before work can proceed at the site. We are in frequent contact with the developer and various city agencies to make sure that we have fully addressed all safety concerns before activities resume. The State remains committed to the project and to its timeline for completion.

No word on the length of the investigation and whether the delay will be for a day, a week or a month.

Fun With Parapets: Ward Bakery, Before & After

Truth be told, we hadn’t thought much about parapets before 10:15 yesterday morning, nor had much opportunity to use the word in our writing. Ever. In any case, here’s a little Ward Bakery before and after comparison, to give an indication of just how much parapet would have landed on your head had you had the misfortune to have been on Pacific Street around 9:50AM yesterday morning. We are certain that if you had been, your sacrifice via Ratner Parapet would not have been in vain.

Ward Bakery Crumbles a Little, Linkage Included

[Photo courtesy of Brit in Brooklyn]

We don’t know if the collapse of a parapet at the Ward Bakery–which is being demolished by Forest City Ratner in its effort to clear blocks of property in Prospect Heights–was a harbinger of things to come or not. What we do know is that (a). it’s fortunate no one was hurt except for some cars, (b). 350 people that live near the building–in particular residents of a shelter–were displaced and (c). there is continuing reaction from those concerned with the demolitions (which only began on Monday) and with the impact of the project on the community if it goes forward.

Here are links to some of the Ward’s Parapet Collapse coverage:

• Details About Ward Bakery Flying Parapet [AYR]
• Homeless Flee Building Collapse [NYDN]
• Was a Sidewalk Shed Required? [AYR]
• Fire Officials Say It Was the Rain, but Workers Had Been on Roof [No Land Grab]
• Jeffries Calls for Investigation; James Calls for Stopping All Work [AYR]
• Ward Bakery Partial Collapse Photos [Brit in Brooklyn]
• Ward Bakery Collapse Photos [threecee/flickr]
• Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods Press Conference to Suspend Demolition [DDDB]
• Breaking: Atlantic Yards Building Partial Collapse [Curbed]
• Parapet Collapse Forces Evacuation at Atlantic Yards [NYT]
• Building at Atlantic Yards Site Collapses [amNY]
• Building at Atlantic Yards Partially Collapses [NY1]
• Halt All Demolition Activity Now [DDDB]
• Ratner Rubble Displaces Hundreds [Dope on the Slope]

Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods Holding Noon Press Conference at Ward Bakery

The Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods is holding a noon press conference today at Ward Bakery, which suffered that parapet collapse yesterday, to call for a halt to demolitions for the Atlantic Yards development in Prospect Heights. The group wants an immediate suspension of activity until a “thorough investigation as to the cause of the collapse can be conducted,” safeguards are put in place to prevent similar incidents and there is “appropriate oversight” to monitor demolition and construction. Members of the group include the Fort Greene Association, Society for Clinton Hill, Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association, Friends of Greater Gowanus (FROGG), Boerum Hill Association, Park Slope Neighbors, Prospect Height Action Coalition, Council Member Letitia James, Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Reverend Dennis Dillon of Brooklyn Christian Center and others.