Flagship Citibank in Full Effect

Sad to see Patsy’s Pizzeria leave University Place. For more than 15 years it was the most reliable pizza in the neighborhood. What will take its place?

Next week (September 26 to September 30), contractors will continue to excavate earth and rock, loading out material. Line drilling will continue as well in limited areas. Concrete foundation walls at the South East corner of the site and slab on grade work will continue. Interior core foundation work and underground electrical and plumbing will continue. Removal of the interior earth ramp will be completed. DOT approved street connections to underground utilities on Fifth Avenue will progress. The cherry picker crane on site will be removed upon installation of the Superstructure Contractors Crane which will be stationed inside the Fifth Avenue fence.

The following week (October 3 to October 7 ), we will continue with concrete foundation walls and slabs, line drilling, rock excavation, loading out, interior core foundation work, street utility connections and underground electrical and plumbing. Formwork for superstructure concrete construction will proceed.

DEP has completed the water main repair along 13th Street. As part of this work the DEP will be completing related road repairs.

This weekend in addition to the site being open on Saturday, September 24th for foundation related activities between the work hours of 9AM and 5PM as permitted by the City, there will also be a crane installation crew assembling a crawler crane for use by the concrete superstructure contractor.

Crane installation will involve a partial street closure on Fifth Avenue between E. 14th and E. 13th Streets, as well as a full closure of E. 13th Street between University Place and Fifth Ave. As permitted by the City this activity is to occur between the hours of 6 AM & 9 PM with Sunday, 9/25/11 as a backup date. We don’t plan on needing Sunday for the crane installation unless the weather effects us on Saturday or something else that’s unpredictable prevents the completion of assembly on Saturday. It is anticipated that this work should be completed by end of work day but it could extend until the time allowed.

Next week (May 21 to May 25), Superstructure work will continue at the 18th floor level. The superstructure concrete work will be completed on the building buy the end of the month. Deliveries for the internal systems of the building have been ongoing and will continue, although they should not greatly affect the flow of pedestrian and road traffic.

The following week (May 28 to June 1), we will be working on the machine room levels on the 18th floor. Additionally we will have another crane on the Northwest corner of the site to help with a steel truss installation. This should not greatly affect pedestrian or road traffic. Deliveries for the internal systems of the building have been ongoing and will continue, although they should not greatly affect the flow of pedestrian and road traffic. The site will be closed on Monday, May 28th for the Memorial Day Holiday.

This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, May 19th for superstructure related activities between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City.

To control noise levels within the site, work activities will be limited to the placement of formwork and concrete, plumbing and electrical work, rebar for concrete placement, using the crane and equipment to support all activities. Safety horns are used, and required by law, to coordinate lifting with the crane and to alert the workers of the danger overhead. We have directed the operators to limit the use of horns to one short sounding and to use the crane later in the day so as to avoid any excess noise. In addition to the normal work there will be a crew on 14th st. working on the Con Ed site connections.

NY1 reports:

New York’s annual block party will return this summer with even more Saturday morning activities for participants.

The Department of Transportation will host the Fifth Annual Summer Streets event on August 4, 11 and 18.

The Summer Streets route runs from the Brooklyn Bridge all the way to 72nd Street along Park Avenue and connecting streets. The seven miles of city streets will be blocked off for activities ranging from yoga to dance classes.

DOT officials also fit thousands of people for free bicycle helmets during Summer Streets as part of its Bike Smart program.

“The streets are for everyone and it’s a great way for New Yorkers to get out and enjoy and see the city in a different way and engage in some really fun, healthy, terrific activities,” said DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.

One of the highlights this year will likely be a 160-foot zip line at Union Square Park.

On Tuesday morning, the zip line was set up by Fantasy World Entertainment in Union Square for passersby to try out.

“For your first time [it’s scary], after that, you’ll come right back in line,” said Greg Korzeniowski of Fantasy World Entertainment.

“It’s a great idea for a bit of a good rush in the morning, great way to wake you up. I don’t have to have a coffee this morning, I’ve done this,” said one zip line user.

“It was fun. When you jump off, I was a little nervous, but then it was like fun,” said another.

Even NY1’s Roger Clark tried out the zip line. As he stood 30 feet about Union Square, the operators assured him that he would be caught by workers at the end of the 160-feet line.

Clark did have a safe landing, and then wanted to use the zip line again. He wasn’t the only one.

“As soon as I finished I was like, can I go again? I didn’t think he would let me, but he did, so it was fun,” said a zip line user.

Here’s a very old and undated photo of Union Square West. The 1842 building at 35 Union Square West that currently houses Barn Joo is one of the neighborhood’s oldest structures.

Check out all the new restaurants that are headed our way.