What to Expect From B2 at the Atlantic Yards

At last night’s public meeting about the design of Atlantic Yards building B2, representatives of developer Forest City Ratner laid out some details about the project, including the size (363 apartments, just under 50% of which will be affordable housing) and outdoor space for residents (not much). They also talked about noise concerns (they’re studying solutions), job numbers (apparently the same number of jobs, just fewer man-hours), and more.

As always, the Atlantic Yards Report has a comprehensive review of the meeting. One of the more interesting things that came up was how the new modular construction plan will work during its expected 20-month build time:

The chassis of the modules, [FCR’s Bob Sanna] said, would be fabricated in Fredericksburg, VA. At the factory at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the modules will be created.

[Melissa Roman] Burch said modular should mean less noise and fewer deliveries, as well as a safer work environment for workers. Detailed production drawings mean less waste.

The modules, no greater than 50 feet wide and between 20 to 50 feet in length (and typically closer to 30 feet), will be shipped by truck during the day. Eight to 23 modules will be delivered between rush hours, taking a route from the Navy Yard to the site, down Flatbush Avenue.

One module will be delivered at night and stored overnight, so early morning crews can work on it. “This project doesn’t contemplate any actual work after hours,” Sanna said.

So who will be living in those apartments once this is built? AYR did the math a few months ago, figuring that “of those 36 subsidized two-bedroom units, nine would go to low-income families… and five to moderate-income ones.” After last night’s meeting, he adds that “perhaps only one family earning under $50,000 would be among the five chosen” in the lowest moderate-income level, but it’s still all subject to change.

A few people are already waiting to move in, and the Daily News spoke to a few of the 17 people who accepted an agreement in 2005 to move out of their apartments in the Atlantic Yards development’s footprint in exchange for a future apartment in B2. The deal also got them temporary apartments, with the rent paid for by FCR.

“I worried they were going to renege on the contract but they really stuck to their word,” Karl Nussbaum, who took the relocation offer, told the News.

Photo: SHoP