SMARTBRIEFRESEARCHMEDIA SMARTBRIEF Subscribe here for free Top Story White House, Senate agree on coronavirus rescue bill March 25, 2020 The White House and Senate leaders have agreed on a $2 trillion emergency coronavirus pandemic response bill that offers relief to the health care system, workers and businesses. The legislation is the largest economic rescue measure in history. The Associated Press (3/24) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Construction workers remain at job sites March 25, 2020 New York state has designated construction work as essential under a general shutdown, and construction workers are on the job even as some fear the possible health consequences. Under current orders, even a positive diagnosis of coronavirus for one worker on a job site isn't enough to necessarily shut it down. The City (New York City) (3/25) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Construction on hold at Central Park Tower March 25, 2020 Extell has suspended construction on the $4 billion Central Park Tower due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, work will continue at other Extell sites, including the Brooklyn Point mixed-use development and the Lofts at Village Pier in New Jersey. The Commercial Observer (New York City) (3/24) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus LaGuardia, Moynihan Train Hall projects suspended March 25, 2020 One construction worker on the project to overhaul the western concourse at LaGuardia's Terminal B tested positive for the coronavirus, shutting down work there until March 30. Work was also suspended last week on the Moynihan Train Hall redevelopment after a worker fell ill, although the project is expected to resume next week. The Real Deal online (New York City) (3/24) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Renderings shed light on potential 250 Water Street tower March 25, 2020 A tower envisioned by The Howard Hughes Corporation for 250 Water Street could rise as high as 990 feet, according to new renderings. The mixed-use building, which is being designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill, may take advantage of 700,000 square feet of unused air rights from nearby properties. New York YIMBY (3/23) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Official rejects Special Flushing Waterfront District March 25, 2020 The Special Flushing Waterfront District has received a disapproval recommendation from Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee. The proposed development would hurt locals by "narrowing their options for decent housing and leaving them with hard and economic life choices," wrote Lee in her decision. Queens Chronicle (N.Y.) (3/21) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Eataly may lease part of former Barneys location March 25, 2020 The abandoned Barneys at 660 Madison Ave. may eventually be home to Eataly, which is in talks to lease 40,000 square feet of the 275,000-square-foot space. However, the coronavirus pandemic has made the fate of this and other potential real estate transactions unclear, writes Steve Cuozzo. New York Post (3/23) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology Highlights and trends at ConExpo-Con/Agg March 25, 2020 The coronavirus pandemic wasn't the only notable subject of the ConExpo-Con/Agg convention in Las Vegas. Jeremiah Karpowicz reviews highlights, including an increase in smart technology, upgraded machine control, augmented reality and solutions to improve data flow. SPAR 3D (3/19) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology Cloud proves timely investment for firms amid pandemic March 25, 2020 Isolation measures mandated to contain the coronavirus pandemic have put many engineering and design firms in a bind if they have not moved data to the cloud. For those that have made the move, restrictions are putting their cloud infrastructure to the test, with some finding the investment well worthwhile. Engineering News-Record (tiered subscription model) (3/22) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch N.Y. targets 4 areas for coronavirus hospitals March 25, 2020 New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling on the federal government to approve construction of temporary hospitals at SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Westbury, Westchester County Center and the Javits Center in New York City to serve coronavirus patients across the state. "Right now, the curve suggests we could need 110,000 hospital beds, and that is an obvious problem," Cuomo said. WCBS-TV/WLNY-TV (New York City) (3/22) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch Coalition suggests changes to COVID-19 reporting requirements March 25, 2020 Members of the Construction Industry Safety Coalition have written a letter to OSHA suggesting the agency change its stance on COVID-19 reporting to treat the coronavirus like the common cold or flu, and consider cases to be an exception to the geographic presumption of work-relatedness. The coalition also suggested maintaining separate case logs or having reporting requirements only apply to situations where an employee contracts COVID-19 by providing direct medical treatment to a person with a confirmed diagnosis. Engineering News-Record (tiered subscription model) (3/23) VIEW ARTICLE CCA Metro News Meet the New York City District Council of Carpenters and its local unions March 25, 2020 It takes a great workforce to build the greatest city in the world. Union carpenters are that great workforce. Our members reflect the diversity of local communities and are equipped with the skills to perform work on every project according to the highest standards. In addition to building great projects, our members have equal access to the good wages, benefits and upward mobility that define middle-class opportunity. VIEW ARTICLE VIEW SMARTBRIEF ARCHIVES RESEARCH Research 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. VIEW ARTICLE Research 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. VIEW ARTICLE Research 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. VIEW ARTICLE Research 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. VIEW ARTICLE Research Union Construction workers diversify NYC union construction has become significantly more racially diverse in the past two decades. LEARN MORE MEDIA Media 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. WATCH THE VIDEO Media 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. WATCH THE VIDEO Media 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. WATCH THE VIDEO Media 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. WATCH THE VIDEO Media 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. WATCH THE VIDEO Media 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. WATCH THE VIDEO Media LU 740 Millwrights at the New York Proton Therapy Center The New York City Proton Therapy Center will be the first and only specialized treatment facility in the state of New York. Learn how members of Millwright Local Union 740 are working with Bay Crane and Varian Medical Systems to go above and beyond in Building New York’s Best! WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Resilient Floor Covering Union floor covering carpenters and contractors are trained to meet the specifications of your project and the flooring product’s manufacturer. Because every flooring project should be installed with Quality and Performance to Stand On. Union carpenters and contractors are Building New York’s Best! WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Interior Systems, Wall & Ceiling carpenters and contractors Union carpenters performed 10 million hours of work last year for interior systems and wall-ceiling contractors in New York City, bringing the highest quality to new building interiors and renovations for commercial, residential and institutional projects. These skilled professionals engage in general carpentry, gypsum drywall, acoustical ceilings, framing, finish carpentry, furniture installation, and more. Union carpenters and contractors are Building New York’s Best! WATCH THE VIDEO Media Union Carpenters and Contractors Are Building New York’s Best Take a look at this short video highlighting union carpenters and contractors who are building the best in residential, institutional, commercial, transportation and infrastructure. Build with Quality. Build with Safety. Build with Confidence. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Reinforced Concrete Superstructures Take a look at this short video introducing you to Local Union 212 and their affiliated contractors who build concrete superstructures. In the last five years, they have completed more than 50 million square feet of cast in place reinforced concrete superstructures. Their intensive knowledge of formwork systems allows for the most cost-effective construction on the market. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best Trade Shows, Conventions and Exhibitions Take a look at this short video introducing you to union trade show carpenters and contractors. These skilled professionals erect prefabricated exhibits and build custom exhibits for trade shows at the Javits Center, area hotels and other venues. They engage in floor layout, pipe and drape work, carpeting, booth maintenance, and rigging of signs for exhibits. The Javits Center is the busiest convention center in the U.S. It hosts 175+ events a year and generates $2 billion of economic activity. Union trade show carpenters and contractors make it possible. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Millwright and Machinery Erectors Call on millwrights from Local Union 740 and their contractors to deliver precision and productivity to every job. Put the best millwrights in New York to work on your next project. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Transportation Infrastructure for the 21st Century Meet some of the union carpenters and contractors who are rebuilding the Kosciuszko Bridge and LaGuardia Airport. They have the training, skill, and experience to work safely and deliver the highest quality on projects bringing our transportation infrastructure into the 21st century. WATCH THE VIDEO Media Building New York's Best - Starts with Training 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. WATCH THE VIDEO VIEW MEDIA ARCHIVES