SMARTBRIEFEVENTSRESEARCHMEDIA SMARTBRIEF Subscribe here for free Top Story What does past decade tell us about NYC in 2029? March 20, 2019 Changes to the New York City development landscape since the stock market bottomed out 10 years ago provide clues into how the city will shape up over the next decade, say Ariel Property Advisors' Michael Tortorici and Kristen Ostach. With the right combination of enterprise and regulation, today's supply-demand dynamics can be reshaped to "truly make New York City more affordable for residents in 2029," they write. New York Real Estate Journal (Norwell, Mass.) (3/2019) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Meeting to enlighten residents on Sunnyside Yard plans March 20, 2019 Residents are invited to this month's second of four meetings planned to offer further clarity on plans for the Sunnyside Yard development in Queens. "We want people to understand that this is a long-term process and we are working with community members on a collaborative effort to come up with a long-term vision on what will happen at the Sunnyside Yard," said Director Cali Williams. The Queens Courier (Bayside, N.Y.) (3/13) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Commercial Construction Index falls to 72; labor concerns persist March 20, 2019 The Commercial Construction Index fell to 72 for the first quarter of 2019, with confidence in new business experiencing a 5-point drop and a number of contractors expressing concern about their ability to attract young workers. Seventy percent of the companies polled have trouble meeting deadlines due to the ongoing labor shortage. U.S. Chamber of Commerce (3/14) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus East Side Access project combines BIM with substantive data March 20, 2019 LiRo Group is putting the proverbial meat on the bones of a growing digital twin of the $10 billion East Side Access project in New York City. Unlike most projects, which use building information modeling for visualization, LiRo is using BIM as data for a spatial database, Lennart Andersson says. Engineering News-Record (3/19) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology Here's the construction tech to keep up with March 20, 2019 Technology is transforming the construction industry on both the commercial and residential sides, and it's important to keep abreast. Eric Weisbrot looks at the principal tech areas to attend to, including those involving safety innovations and training. Construction Executive magazine online (3/12) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch Feds create obstacle for Gateway project funding March 20, 2019 The Federal Transit Administration has rated the Gateway rail project in New York City a medium-low priority, which makes the project ineligible for Capital Investment Grants. The federal Department of Transportation is calling for a greater financial commitment from New York and New Jersey, while some state legislators are saying the rating is politically motivated. The Associated Press (3/15) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch NYC introduces $10B storm plan March 20, 2019 New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has introduced a $10 billion plan to guard lower Manhattan against the effects of extreme weather events and rising seas. If federal funding isn't available, he hopes to pool money from the city, state and the private sector. WCBS-TV (New York City) (3/14) VIEW ARTICLE CCA Metro News The Construction and Transportation Good Scout Award Luncheon March 20, 2019 The Construction and Transportation Good Scout Award Luncheon benefits an American institution -- the Boy Scouts of America. Learn more about supporting this event. VIEW ARTICLE CCA Metro News New MBE/WBE/DBE Directory March 20, 2019 Visit our new and improved searchable MBE/WBE/DBE directory of union carpentry contractors in the New York City metropolitan area. This new directory provides you with the certifications from New York City, New York State, and the New York State Unified Certification Program for our signatory MBEs/WBEs/DBEs. Each listing also provides links to their website (if available) and their association affiliation so you know which contractors can accommodate your needs -- it's all in one place. VIEW ARTICLE Top Story Lawmakers' concerns lead to delay in Industry City's plans March 13, 2019 Lawmakers concerned about the effects on working residents of rezoning proposed for a section of Sunset Park have succeeded in delaying the process for closer consideration. Industry City's owners heard the concerns and held off on plans to add over 1 million square feet to the complex's footprint and potentially create 15,000 jobs. Curbed (3/11) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Residents to get a say on Southern Boulevard rezoning March 13, 2019 The Bronx's Southern Boulevard study area is the subject of residential feedback on a rezoning proposal that now enters its next phase. The plan follows the city's pattern of increased residential density that adds or preserves affordable housing. City Limits (New York City) (3/11) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Brooklyn Botanic Garden opposes sun-blocking towers March 13, 2019 A proposal for two 39-story towers is being challenged by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden because the buildings could block three hours' worth of daily sunlight to parts of the garden. The area's current zoning laws cap buildings at roughly seven stories, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden would like to keep it that way. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (3/11) VIEW ARTICLE VIEW SMARTBRIEF ARCHIVES EVENTS 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 - 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 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 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