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NYC completes a $5.7 million project to upgrade a two-story sidewalk vault at 22 Reade Street, finishing ahead of schedule and under budget. The project included debris removal, rerouting of plumbing and electrical conduits, roadway restoration, and filling the vault with controlled cellular concrete. Multiple subcontractors, including those from the DDC Mentorship Program, were involved in the successful restoration effort.
Wed January 22, 2025 - Northeast Edition
Commissioner Thomas Foley of the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced that a $5.7 million project to reconstruct and stabilize a two-story high underground sidewalk vault located at 22 Reade Street has been completed nearly three months ahead of schedule and $4 million under budget.
DDC managed the project on an emergency basis for the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Service (DCAS) using the Construction Manager-Build (CM-Build) method of contracting.
"This complex project showcased how well CM-Build can speed up construction and deliver positive results, especially renovation projects like this where flexibility is required to manage unknown field conditions," said Foley. "With CM-Build, the contractor joined during the design phase allowing for a more streamlined and careful approach while working on a historic building near complicated infrastructure and several other historic sites.
"Thanks to CM-Build and our great team, work was finished three months in advance, saving nearly half the original budget. We also appreciate the collaboration with NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and his team on quickly approving the emergency declaration to allow us to move quickly with procurement."
"This project stands as a remarkable achievement in preserving both the safety and history of our city," said DCAS Commissioner Louis A. Molina. "I thank the Department of Design and Construction for their diligence demonstrated in the renovation of this historic property. Through their swift and meticulous efforts, Reade Street's 19th century sidewalk vault has been carefully updated with historic preservation and modern accessibility in mind — truly exemplifying the city's dedication to efficiency that never compromises quality."
To address structural safety and environmental regulations, the project first removed 293 tons of debris from inside the vault. The plumbing and electrical conduits inside the five-chamber vault were rerouted. The location's curb, sidewalk and roadway were then reconstructed and restored.
Work also included partial excavation of the roadway, curb and sidewalk for removal of the vault roof slab, as well as filling of the vault with controlled cellular concrete.
DDC coordinated with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to ensure that work was done in a respectful manner to avoid any disturbance and impact to a nearby historic burial ground.
M & J Engineering D.P.C. was the CM-Builder for this project. Two of the subcontractors that were hired — Honey Construction, which worked on the debris removal, and AM NY Electric Corp., which conducted electric investigative work and rerouted electrical conduits — were part of the DDC Mentorship Program, now led by the Mayor's Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises.
DDC also worked with AI Engineers, Clean Tech Mechanical Inc. and MFM Contracting Corp.
Construction began in March 2023 and concluded in October 2024.
Photo courtesy of NYCDDC
DDC Commissioner Tom Foley (holding ribbon far L) and the project team at 22 Reade Street.