The Times reports that Forest City Ratner is considering modular construction for its first, 34-story high-rise at Atlantic Yards. The story says that though the move would cut costs, a prefabricated tower “is untested at that height” and the move would likely piss off construction workers, who were among the mega-project’s most vocal supporters. Although the the developer has its architecture firm SHoP working on designs for both a traditional and modular building, another consideration is whether a prefab structure of this height would actually result in much of a cost savings, according to the story: “Whether taller modular buildings can be built to withstand intense wind shear and seismic forces, while retaining cost savings, is another question, because the higher a structure is built, the more bracing it would require.” The article says developer Bruce Ratner has been “captivated” by the video above, which shows a modular hotel rising in China in just a few days.
Prefabricated Tower May Rise at Brooklyn’s Atlantic Yards [NY Times]


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  1. Let’s rehash shall we. You made a statement which I quoted directly and criticized. You then replied to my criticism of your own statement by contradicting yourself. The rest of your response must of been for someone else because no where did I say that police or fireman should not be compensated fairly or “screwed”. Basically we’re in agreement. It is not a big deal.

  2. “Now if some guy joins FDNY at 20, and retires at 40 with a hefty pension, that’s one of those things that needs re-adjusting, like all contracts need from time to time.”

    EVERY FF and PO is entitled to their pension immediately at 20yrs; it isnt a “small minority”

    As to the “danger” – neither job is particularly dangerous (when compared to other occupations) so I am not sure why you give them some special dispensation, nor does their generous disability benefits (“if they get shot or fall off a roof”) have anything to do with the pensions.

    And BTW – Sandhogs have a far more dangerous job than any FF or PO, are far more essential and do not get an immediate retirement benefit.

  3. Eh, a small thing really, and certainly not the point of the post. If all you’ve got is catching an inconsistancy, then that’s all you’ve got. Congratulations, I contradicted myself, and you got me. Big deal.

  4. Benson — don’t be absurd.

    The UFT vote ain’t enough to elect the governor, mayor, etc. etc. There are A LOT more voters than union members… and union members don’t automatically vote for who their union president tells them to!

    Your more precise answer should be, “Because most people don’t get to VOTE FOR the managers across the table.” There’s a huge difference.

  5. PACs are extremely powerful and if they help elect someone to office , those politicians feel beholden to them. That’s a reality and makes them no different than the unions in that regard. Samething with with corporate donors- they throw money at you, they expect something in return. And very often they get it.

  6. “Finally, cops and firemen are off limits, as far as I’m concerned. I don’t care what their pensions are.”

    “Now if some guy joins FDNY at 20, and retires at 40 with a hefty pension, that’s one of those things that needs re-adjusting, like all contracts need from time to time.”

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