SMARTBRIEFRESEARCHMEDIA SMARTBRIEF Subscribe here for free Top Story NYC new building filings up 19% in Q2 August 10, 2022 Filings for new buildings in New York City increased 19% in the second quarter from the year before, according to data from REBNY. Gains were evident across categories, including proposed square footage, projects topping 300,000 square feet and projects with multiple dwelling units. GlobeSt (free registration) (8/8) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Report: Yearly construction costs in NYC are up 8% August 10, 2022 Supply chain and personnel issues have driven up construction costs in New York City 8% in the past year, according to a new report from consulting firm Rider Levett Bucknall. Diesel prices were up 80%, but "the biggest strain on the construction industry is labor shortage," says Paraic Morrissey of Rider Levett. Commercial Observer (8/4) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Q&A: JPMorgan Chase's real estate chief on the new HQ August 10, 2022 David Arena, head of global real estate at JPMorgan Chase, says the company's new 60-story headquarters under construction is constantly being evaluated to make sure it has the most up-to-date amenities. In this Q&A, Arena says every pre-pandemic decision was reevaluated "to see if we could do better and to center more around four constituencies: shareholders, employees, clients and communities." New York YIMBY (8/8) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Boston Properties reportedly files permits for NYC tower August 10, 2022 Boston Properties has reportedly filed for permits for a 49-story skyscraper at 343 Madison Ave. in Manhattan's Midtown East area that would feature 750,400 square feet of commercial space. The site was previously home to a 15-story building where the Metropolitan Transportation Authority once had its headquarters. New York YIMBY (8/7) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus $10B NYC plan would overhaul aging bus terminal August 10, 2022 A new $10 billion plan would transform New York City's 72-year-old Port Authority Bus Terminal over the next nine years. Green space would be added, and a staging area for buses would be provided during construction in a design that "will get intercity buses off our streets, create park space and greatly improve the street level experience for the neighborhood," said Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y. The Associated Press (8/4) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Penn Station development plan likely to be contentious August 10, 2022 Critics are sniping at the state's plan to redevelop Penn Station and the area around it in Manhattan, a project hatched under the administration of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo that has the support of his successor, Gov. Kathy Hochul. Discussions about funding and other topics point to likely battles ahead, according Maia Pandey. City & State New York (8/8) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology Is the sky the limit for skyscrapers? August 10, 2022 The Burj Khalifa stretches upward more than half a mile as the world's tallest skyscraper, and predictions are that the world will see a mile-high building before long. But how high buildings can, or should, ultimately rise will depend on a variety of factors, including considerations of practicality, safety, materials and technology, writes Kaley Overstreet. ArchDaily (8/8) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology How to extend instant data sharing beyond BIM August 10, 2022 Building information modeling is moving beyond the design and layout of a building to further facilitate real-time connections among all project stakeholders. For this to occur efficiently, a constructible process is needed in which estimating, procurement and fabrication data are shared and updated seamlessly with access by all, as explained by David Derocher, portfolio manager for Trimble MEP's North American VDC Products. Contractor Magazine (8/8) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology How AI is spreading across construction August 10, 2022 Builders are increasingly tapping into machine learning and artificial intelligence across all aspects of the industry, observes Pat Keaney, Autodesk's director of BIM 360 Enterprise products. Uses include project control, budget estimates, scheduling and on-site management to reduce hazards and achieve time and cost savings, while artificial neural networks serve to predict cost overruns. Redshift (8/5) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch Borough president opposes residential plan for Astoria August 10, 2022 Queens Borough President Donovan Richards has come out against the proposed Innovation QNS plan for the Astoria neighborhood, which calls for new residential buildings to be built on a site that is mostly industrial. Richards becomes the most high-profile opponent of the project, which will be evaluated by the City Planning Commission, with the City Council having the final say. Bisnow (free registration) (8/8) VIEW ARTICLE CCA Metro News Meet the New York City District Council of Carpenters and its local unions August 10, 2022 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 CCA Metro News Searchable contractor directory August 10, 2022 Visit our new and improved searchable directory of union carpentry contractors in the New York City metropolitan area. It includes listings of 14 contractor associations and their members, contractors that have union agreements independently or with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, and contractors certified as MWBEs. General building, concrete, wall and ceiling, millwrights, heavy construction, dockbuilders and timbermen, floor coverers, woodwork and cabinetry and more - it's all in one place. 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