WILLIAMSBURG — The landscape of East River Park could soon change as the city looks to upgrade an emergency ventilation building on the waterfront — potentially with a wave-like design evoking the nearby river.
The MTA showed two possible design options to Community Board 1 this week for improvements to the North Seventh Street "fan plant," a building near the park that provides emergency ventilation to the L train. The designs included a "water" theme and an "industrial" look, with the sea-inspired option earning overwhelming support from the board.
The plant needs to be repaired and upgraded for long-term stability after Hurricane Sandy damaged it, MTA officials told Community Board 1's transportation committee.
"It's a brick facility," said Christopher Taylor of ARUP, an egineering and design firm working with the city. "It’s subject to collapse."
Upgrades will be built on top of the existing structure, with new flood walls extending the building to the existing property line, officials said.
The "water"-themed version depicted a blue building with wave-like structures built onto the sides. The look is intended to complement the reason new walls are being built — water damage, Taylor said.
The second design, with the "industrial" theme, is more "angular" and uses burnt-orange steel.
"It would make a striking statement with all the different colors in the area," Taylor said, referring to the blue buildings already dotting the waterfront.
Money from the federal government will fund the project, though it's still unclear how much it will cost, said Andrew Inglesby, the MTA's assistant director of government and community relations.
Officials said they are seeking feedback from residents on which design to use.
Members of the transportation committee voted for the "water"-themed version, 13-2. The designs will be presented at the full Community Board 1 meeting on Nov. 12 as well for additional feedback.
The design will be finalized in December, and construction is expected to take place between fall 2015 and winter 2016. Construction will not take place during East River State Park events such as Smorgasburg.
