PETITION GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS – DISRUPTION FROM CONSTRUCTION OF 45 EAST 22ND STREET

We are residents of East 22nd Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue South in Manhattan. We are requesting your assistance in mitigating the serious and ongoing negative impact on our quality of life as a consequence of the construction project on our street. The project is known as 45 East 22nd Street, a 65 story mid-block residential tower, 777 feet in height. Construction has been underway for well over a year and is scheduled to be completed in December 2016.

The construction site’s perimeter barricades extend past the sidewalk, midway into 22nd Street for approximately 300 feet, eliminating the possibility of vehicle parking or standing on either side for roughly 40% of the block’s entire length. Whenever the construction crane is in operation, because of safety considerations, street vehicular traffic is stopped mid-block by construction personnel, resulting in traffic back-ups for the entire length of the street. Given the size of this structure, the amount of concrete and other construction materials is enormous, consequently the traffic back-ups are nearly constant, substantially increasing vehicle exhaust fumes and causing virtually uninterrupted horn honking from frustrated drivers. As many as five cement trucks at a time can be either idling on the block or dispensing cement to the on-site crane, contributing to even more air pollution and noise on the street. Crane extension elements are frequently parked overnight when no standing regulations are in effect, or for days at a time. Construction personnel often set out traffic cones along extensive stretches of the street not adjacent to the site in order to reserve parking for trucks and trailers with construction materials and equipment. These vehicles remain parked for extended periods of time, contrary to street parking regulations. The congestion resulting from all of this activity makes emergency vehicle access almost impossible, greatly increases the difficulties for local truck deliveries, and severely limits our ability to utilize taxis and car services.

City regulations restrict construction activity to 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays only, presumably to limit the disruption and nuisance experienced by neighborhood residents and businesses. However, 45 East 22nd Street has obtained after hours permits that allow weekday operations from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekends, representing a 65% increase in potential construction activity. The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) routinely issues these permits solely upon the request of developers, which once issued, can be renewed indefinitely online by the developer, with no subsequent review. The DOB does not notify or solicit input from the neighborhood prior to issuing an after hours construction permit. Clearly, the DOB’s policy and practice renders the notion of reasonable construction hours meaningless.

Although we are well aware that the disturbances caused by construction cannot be eliminated, there are, however, a few steps that can be taken that can make life on this street more bearable. Instead of stopping vehicle traffic mid-block during crane operation, personnel equipped with walkie-talkies or other means of communication can be stationed at the beginning of the block and divert vehicular traffic onto Broadway. This would substantially alleviate our most severe problem, the incessant traffic back-ups and the attendant noise and air pollution, as well as save drivers the aggravation of being stuck on the block for extended periods. Cement trucks should be dispatched more efficiently and staged at points other than on this block so that no more than two or three trucks are here at any one time. We also adamantly believe that we are entitled to some respite from construction activity early in the mornings, in the evenings and on the weekends, and that the DOB should not allow the routine renewal of after-hours construction permits.

Many of us are long time residents who made a commitment to this neighborhood years before it was considered desirable, but everyone who lives or works here is the collective force that drives this area’s vitality and appeal. It can be said that it is our contributions that foster a favorable environment for the sale of luxury apartments, but as far as we know, the developer of 45 East 22nd Street will not be contributing any amenities to the community. From our perspective, this massive new building will only result in unwanted congestion and additional demands on already overburdened public infrastructure. As our formerly handsome and tranquil street will not be benefitting from this project, it is unreasonable for our quality of life to be sacrificed any more than is necessary while it is underway.