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In what is something of a surprise, the facade of Barclays Center is to be illuminated by multi-colored LED lights set in between the body of the arena building and the metal shell designed by SHoP Architects.  The lights will shine from each of the slots in the rusted steel exterior.  The colors of the lights are variable.  So far we have witnessed purple, white, green and blue being tested. 

The Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council, the Boerum Hill Association and the Park Slope Civic Council have released a proposed Neighborhood Protection Plan (NPP) that addresses many of the concerns community members anticipate after the opening of the Barclays Center arena.

On Wednesday, September 5, the groups will host a meeting to review where the goals of the NPP now stand. They will be joined by Forest City Ratner executives Ashley Cotton (Vice President for External Affairs) and Jane Marshall (Senior Vice President) for a discussion about protecting the quality of life of those living near Barclays Center. Issues include crowd control, safety, clean streets and sidewalks, traffic, parking and more. The public is encouraged to bring their questions and concerns.

When:  Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 7:00pm
Where: Iglesia Latina Evengelica,  506 Bergen St.  (between 6th and Carlton Avenues)

An analysis of documents submitted by the environmental consultant HDR retained by ESDC to monitor compliance with Atlantic Yards' noise and air quality protocols has found that the agency has been advised of significant areas of non-compliance on an ongoing basis since construction began in 2010. The analysis is contained in a report prepared for AYW by Sandstone Environmental Associates of Metuchen, NJ. Sandstone also found that some air and noise mitigations originally planned were likely inadequate, several planned mitigations were implemented late or not at all, and others that had been implemented unevenly were not being enforced either by FCRC, ESDC or City agencies.  

Among specific examples are the following:

• Dust suppression protocols are often violated. Too few air quality monitors are being used given the scale of the site, and those that have been deployed are not used during extended hours construction.
• The 3/4" plywood being used for construction fencing does not have sufficient noise attenuation properties to shield nearby residences.
• The model of double-pane windows offered as a noise mitigation for nearby buildings may not have an attentuation rating sufficient to insulate residences from construction noise.
• Construction equipment that did not meet the project's stated air quality standards has been allowed to remain in service on the site for months while compliant equipment was waiting to be received.
• The ConEd power grid required for use of electrical, rather than diesel, equipment and generators was installed more than ten months late after construction activity had peaked, and then was largely not utilized by contractors.
• Use of unauthorized truck routes by contractors is pervasive, with little or no enforcement by ESDC and the City.
• Extended hours and nighttime construction work is routinely scheduled much more frequently than disclosed and committed in Atlantic Yards' Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).

The New York Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (NYASLA), an organization of landscape architects in New York City, Long Island and Westchester, has submitted a letter to ESDC CEO Kenneth Adams about the plans for the surface parking lot for Barclays Center patrons on block 1129.  NYSLA expresses "dissatisfaction" with the proposed plans, and calls for a more sustainable plan that benefits NYC "through vegetation, shade, a minimized carbon footprint, stormwater management and pervious parking surface materials."  The heart of their recommendations is that the lot meet NYC DCP standards, and that it be constructed using green technology.  

The group writes that it finds the proposed design "troubling, potentially dangerous to long-term public health, averse to maintaining environmental quality and inconsistent with NYC’s intent to strengthen the economy, combat climate change and enhance quality of life through thoughtful and environmentally beneficial design."  

The use of block 1129 for an interim surface parking lot is a contentious piece of the Atlantic Yards plan. In 2009, the Project's plans were changed and the delivery date of the housing and open space on block 1129 was extended to 25 years or more, meaning the surface parking lot could be in place for decades rather than the few years originally intended.