BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Brooklyn Bridge Park is suing two firms it claims designed faulty light poles and shade sails installed at Pier 5 in 2012.
The light poles and shade devices, located around Pier 5’s soccer field, were designed to withstand 100 mph winds, but they were destroyed about a week after the field’s opening by weaker winds, according to the lawsuit.
The suit, filed Nov. 27 , seeks $1,294,931 in damages from Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates and HNTB Corporation for the cost of replacing the shade devices.
MVVA and HNTB did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The lawsuit states that park staff members told the designers at several meetings that the structures had to be strong enough to withstand windy conditions off the Upper Harbor and East River.
The firms both agreed to design structures that could withstand 100 mph winds, according to the lawsuit.
The playing field was opened to the public Dec. 13, 2012, but just eight days later, the shade structures were damaged by wind gusts of less than 75 mph, according to the lawsuit. It says the light poles and shades suffered shared connection bolts, broken fixtures, bent and snapped support rods and torn shades.
BBP had to rope off Pier 5 because the damage created a public hazard, the lawsuit says.
HNTB submitted a modified design for the shade sails and light poles, which were reconstructed and completed by July 2013.
The park is suing for the money it cost to rebuild the structures.
BBP did not provide comment on the lawsuit.
