SMARTBRIEFRESEARCHMEDIA SMARTBRIEF Subscribe here for free Top Story JFK International Airport terminal expansion completed November 30, 2022 JFK International Airport's expanded Terminal 8 was officially opened this week, marking the completion of a $400 million upgrade project. Next up will be construction on a brand new Terminal 6, with Terminal 7 to be destroyed to make room for the project, which begins next year. QNS (Bayside, N.Y.) (11/29) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Design released for rec center on Staten Island November 30, 2022 The NYC Parks Department has released the official design for Staten Island's $92 million Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center, which will replace a facility demolished in 2013. The design-build project is a first for Parks, with groundbreaking scheduled for next summer and completion by the end of 2025. Staten Island Advance (N.Y.) (11/28) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus NYC plans more than $1B in accessibility upgrades November 30, 2022 Improved accessibility is the goal for more than $1 billion in upgrades for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's subway and commuter rail stations in New York City. A public-private partnership is planned for installation of 21 new elevators and 14 elevator replacements. amNewYork (11/29) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Manhattan public plaza opened November 30, 2022 A privately owned public plaza at 550 Madison Avenue in Midtown East is open following 21,000 square feet of renovations. The plaza includes seating areas, eating and beverage options under a glass canopy accompanied by concrete and stone surfaces. New York YIMBY (11/19) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Long Island continues to add construction jobs November 30, 2022 Long Island construction employment registered a 4% year-over-year increase in October, according to an Associated General Contractors of America report. Meanwhile, New York City as a whole totaled a 2% year-over-year decrease, with total construction employment tallied at 142,100 in October. Long Island Business News (N.Y.) (11/29) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology Q&A: Construction technology is here to stay November 30, 2022 Phillippe Falkner, safety director and business services specialist with Ed Bell Construction, says that construction technology is no longer optional for companies. "Owners, insurance companies and the government are all expecting contractors to use this tech to improve projects; many are mandating it," Falkner says. Construction Dive (11/23) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology CPWR: Half of electrical deaths are in construction November 30, 2022 A new report from CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training has found that 49% of all fatal electric exposures in the last decade happened in the construction industry. Nearly 60% of those deaths were the result of direct contact with a live wire, the study showed. Safety + Health (11/21) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch Safety expert: NY HERO Act isn't being enforced November 30, 2022 The New York Health and Essential Rights Act, known as the NY HERO Act, was passed in New York state last year to provide workers with beefed-up workplace safety standards. But with the law "in its infancy" and no time restrictions placed on employers, enforcement has lagged, says Liam Lynch of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health. City Limits (New York City) (11/28) VIEW ARTICLE Top Story NYC gives go-ahead for construction of a soccer stadium November 17, 2022 A proposal to build New York City's first professional soccer stadium in Queens has won approval of city officials. Major League Soccer's New York City Football Club will pay about $780 million to build the 25,000-seat stadium on land owned by the city. amNewYork (11/16) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Pair of towers in Prospect Heights nearly finished November 17, 2022 The two mixed-use towers at 595 Dean Street in Prospect Heights are nearly finished. Developed by TF Cornerstone and built by general contractor TFC Pacific Park GC, the 28-story East Tower and 23-story West Tower will total 798 residential units and feature ground-floor retail space. New York YIMBY (11/16) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus How NYC is greening to contain stormwaters November 17, 2022 New York City aims to complete thousands of additional green infrastructure projects by 2030 to absorb as much as 7% of today's volume of stormwater overflows. Leslie Nemo explores what's entailed with these sometimes discreet projects such as rain gardens, retention basins and permeable paving. American Society of Civil Engineers (11/9) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus NYC East Side access opening may be pushed to March November 17, 2022 A mandated federal safety approval may cause the long-awaited East Side Access project in New York City to open in March. The $11.6 billion project to bring Long Island Rail Road trains into a new station under Grand Central Terminal was due to open by the end of this year, but a delay in delivering a safety feature to prevent trains from entering the wrong tunnels may also lead to a delay in the needed federal clearance. Gothamist (New York) (11/8) VIEW ARTICLE VIEW SMARTBRIEF ARCHIVES RESEARCH Research 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. VIEW ARTICLE Research 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. VIEW ARTICLE 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 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 WATCH THE VIDEO Media 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. WATCH THE VIDEO 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