NEW YORK CITY—Forest City Ratner Cos. has fired another salvo in its ongoing battle with Skanska USA Building concerning the construction of B2, the first residential tower with modular construction at the Pacific Park Brooklyn project. FCRC president and CEO MaryAnne Gilmartin has sent Skanska co-COO Richard Kennedy a letter—dated Sept. 4^th—requesting that the developer assume operating control and responsibility for the factory that is producing the modules for the multifamily building. In a prepared statement, Kennedy has made clear he sees the letter as fuel to this raging fire.

The fight became public when the two sides were unable to settle some disagreements and Skanska issued a cease-and-desist stoppage order to its workers at the site. The contractor subsequently filed a lawsuit against FCRC, charging that the developer “has steadfastly refused over many months to engage in an honest dialogue about the serious commercial and design issues facing the project.” FCRC brought a counter suit—which initially was positioned as the first of the two legal actions—charing that Skanska had “multiple failures and missteps as the construction manager.

Gilmartin's letter says, in part, “FCRC Modular is prepared today to take over as managing member of the partnership and the factory and assume operating control and responsibility for the factory so we can resume production of the modules needed for the B2 project. We hope and assume that you share our belief that this is the fastest and best way to reopen the factory and bring back the workers you wrongfully furloughed while the B2 owner and Skanska USA Building seek to resolve the broader business dispute. As you know, as of now Skanska Modular has prohibited FCRC Modular's access to the factory.