SmartBrief
Office conversion projects are on track for a record year because of “historically high office vacancy rates and declining asset values,” according to real estate services company CBRE, which started tracking the trend in 2016. About three-fourths of the projects are to multifamily housing; conversions to life sciences facilities have declined. Facilities Dive (11/25)
TF Cornerstone and Dune Real Estate Partners have put up $1 billion for an enterprise called Alta Residential to convert office properties to residential across the US. TF Cornerstone has already done 15 such projects, including 95 Horatio Street in the Manhattan Meatpacking District, and recently bought a site in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn. The Real Deal (12/3)
Office leasing volume in Manhattan has surpassed 30 million square feet for the first time since 2019, buoyed by WeWork’s recent 303,741-square-foot lease at Vornado Realty Trust’s 330 West 34th Street building. The 30 million square feet milestone “is one of the critical milestones that the market has been waiting on for quite some time,” said Franklin Wallach of Colliers. Commercial Observer (12/2)
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation to allow progressive design-build and construction manager build methods, aiming to reduce project timelines and costs. The city has implemented all 39 recommendations from the Capital Process Reform Task Force, leading to faster delivery of public infrastructure and increased opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses. New York YIMBY (12/3)
The Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has released a guide to help federal contractors combat harassment in construction. The guide, part of the White House’s National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, clarifies what constitutes harassment and provides examples such as derogatory remarks and failure to maintain women’s restrooms. Construction Dive (11/26)
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has extended the comment period for its proposed rule on heat injury and illness prevention in work settings to Jan. 14 and has scheduled a virtual public hearing for June 16. The extension should give construction stakeholders more time to review the proposal and gather necessary data for comments. Federal Register (11/29)
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THE UNION ADVANTAGE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION LABOR SHORTAGE
The Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) and Project for Middle-Class Renewal (PMCR) at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign report that unionizing is key to retaining workers and avoiding labor shortages. They find that unionized labor is more efficient, dependable, and safe, and “less likely to have delays in completion times due to shortages of workers – and they’ve actually been more likely to add workers in this tight labor market.” The New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters and union contractors maintain a reliable supply of skilled labor with state of the art training and continuing education programs for members from all backgrounds.
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PAYROLL FRAUD IN NEW YORK’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: ESTIMATING ITS PREVALENCE, SEVERITY AND ECONOMIC COSTS
Research by the Institute for Construction Economic Research (ICERES) finds that payroll and tax fraud costs New Yorkers more than $1 billion annually. Cheating contractors gain a $13,500-15,000 cost advantage per worker over law-abiding contractors and workers paid off-the-books or misclassified as independent contractors are robbed of $9,000-10,000 annually.
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The Limited Record of the Associated Builders and Contractors in New York City Metropolitan Region Construction, MWBE Development, and Workforce Training
According to a new report by Rochester Research Associates, the upstate-based Associated Builders and Contractors Empire State Chapter has few contractors, MWBEs and training programs in the NYC metro area, which calls into question its qualifications on policy concerns in NYC construction. With the need to address major issues such as mass transit infrastructure, MWBEs, and safety training, it is important that those with actual experience and expertise in NYC construction lead the discussion.
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New York’s Prevailing Wage Law – A cost-benefit analysis
The Economic Policy Institute’s analysis of peer-reviewed research shows how prevailing wage laws (1) promote cost-effective quality and safety on taxpayer-funded construction projects, (2) stimulate economic growth and higher tax revenue, and (3) reduce poverty and reliance on public healthcare and assistance programs.
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Healthy City: Inside New York City’s Hospital Building Boom
New York City’s large hospital systems are making major capital investments not only to modernize their facilities but to transform how they deliver healthcare. This New York Building Congress report details how they are an important factor in NYC’s construction and overall economy.
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The Economic, Fiscal, and Social Effects of Ohio’s Prevailing Wage Law
76% of peer-reviewed economic research shows that prevailing wages do not increase public construction costs. Here is more research from Ohio that reaches the same conclusion.
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Union Construction workers diversify
NYC union construction has become significantly more racially diverse in the past two decades.
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Veterans Thrive as NYC Union Carpenters and Contractors
Union carpenters and contractors are committed to welcoming military veterans into New York’s unionized construction industry as tradespeople and business owners. The New York City & Vicinity District Council of Carpenters has hundreds of military veterans who are union members working in the industry.
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NYC and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters Training Center
The Carpenters Training Center is jointly sponsored by union carpenters and contractors to provide members with the training needed to bring the highest level of skill and safety to projects throughout the New York City metropolitan area.
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COMMERCIAL MARINE DIVERS WITH LOCAL UNION 1556
Each year, commercial marine divers with Dockbuilders and Timbermen Local Union 1556 perform more than 150,000 hours of work. They are essential to developing and maintaining critical infrastructure including bridge and waterfront repairs, coastal resiliency, offshore wind power turbines, and much more.
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Union Carpenters and Contractors – Leading the way in hotel and hospitality construction
Hotel and hospitality construction are essential to our recovery. Watch here to see how union carpenters and contractors have been leading the way on these projects and are ready for your next job. From new construction to renovations and improvements, we have the experience and reliability to deliver on-time, on-budget value to you as hotel and hospitality project owners.
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Union Carpenters and Contractors – Trained for Safety and Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities
Healthcare construction, whether it involves renovations to occupied spaces or the development of new facilities, presents unique challenges and risks. Union carpenters and contractors are dedicated to partnering with healthcare professionals to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Our Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) training program sets the industry standard. ICRA training is highly recommended for employees of contractors performing healthcare construction as well as professionals in facilities management, construction planning & design, maintenance, infection prevention, nursing, life safety, regulatory compliance, and more. Visit our website for more information: https://www.ccametro.com/results-for-owners/#icra
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Union Carpenters and Contractors – Essential to Building New York’s Best
The New York City District Council of Carpenters and union contractors have responded to COVID-19 in our industry and local communities. We’re committed to building an even better future. See how we adopted new safety standards and provided critical training to keep essential projects moving forward. Visit here to see some of the outstanding work accomplished throughout these challenging times.
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BUILDING NEW YORK’S BEST – PRIORITIZING SAFETY
Union carpenters and contractors in New York provide ongoing safety training and enforce safety standards on the job. That means safer workers, and a safer city for all of us.
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Building New York’s Best – Spotlight on Union Carpenters and MWBE Contractors
Infinity Contracting is a union MWBE affiliated with the NYC District Council of Carpenters and the Building Contractors Association. This project is built through a DASNY PLA with 100% union labor.
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Building New York’s Best – Hoisting and Scaffolding
Take a look at this short video highlighting the contractors of the Hoisting and Scaffolding Trade Association – HASTA – and the Timbermen of Local Union 1556. Together, they build, erect and dismantle material and personnel hoists, scaffolding, sidewalk bridges and more on NYC’s most challenging construction projects.
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ICSC New York Deal Making Expo at the Javits Center
The ICSC New York Deal Making Expo is the largest retail real estate event on the East Coast, welcoming over 10,000 attendees and 530 vendors to the three-day event! See how union carpenters from the New York City District Council of Carpenters and union contractors played a critical role in bringing the expo to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
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Dockbuilders, Pile Drivers, & Marine Divers
Above ground, under ground, and even under water, union dockbuilders, pile drivers, marine divers, and the contractors that employ them bring strong foundations to structures throughout New York’s skyline, infrastructure, and waterways. Check out this short video highlighting the union training and skills that are crucial to both a project’s success and the safety of workers.
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Building New York’s Best – Architectural Woodwork and Cabinetry
Take a look at this video that highlights how cabinetmakers and woodworkers of Local Union 2790 and contractors that employ them bring superior skill and artistry to commercial, residential, institutional and retail interiors. They fabricate and install both decorative and functional elements of design specifications including trim and molding, cabinetry, ceiling treatments, doors, windows, exposed columns and beams, displays, mantels, and staircases.
