The construction industry worked with government officials to establish health and safety protocols such as face coverings, health screenings, lower worker density and site disinfection, and those protections will help workers get back to projects that are critical to New York City, writes Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. "There are still challenges ahead of us, and for workers who have questions or concerns about their construction site, you know where to turn," LaBarbera writes. "Your union is there for you." Crain's New York Business (tiered subscription model) (7/1)

RFR Holding, owner of the Seagram Building on Park Avenue, is putting $25 million into retrofitting a parking garage into a recreation area with a climbing wall, basketball courts and an indoor track. Developer Aby Rosen says the building already appeals to CEOs and that the 35,000-square-foot conversion is "something that would cater to the junior partners." The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (6/30)

Photos reveal progress on the reinforced concrete core of a skyscraper that, once complete, will be the largest structure by volume in the first phase of Related Companies' Hudson Yards megadevelopment in New York City. The building will likely be finished in 2022, project officials say. New York YIMBY (6/29)

New York City's construction industry is moving again, but the city's procedure for reviewing land use requests remains paused by order of Mayor Bill de Blasio. Vicki Been, deputy mayor in charge of economic development and housing, says tech issues must be conquered so that meetings can be held remotely, with the plan to restart approvals "in the early fall." New York Post (6/29)

A 28-acre site in Long Island City once targeted by Amazon is now in the sights of YourLIC, a development coalition led by TF Cornerstone. The developers, who may file rezoning applications next year, envision a complex with public plazas as well as spaces for work, but will have to win over a skeptical neighborhood. Crain's New York Business (tiered subscription model) (6/30)

Construction at Three Hudson Boulevard in Hudson Yards, a $3 billion office skyscraper scheduled to be completed in 2023, has reached ground level. Developed by Boston Properties and The Moinian Group from a design by FXCollaborative, the 940-foot tower promises great views of the river as well as the Manhattan skyline. New York YIMBY (6/30)

A smart hard hat that tracks construction workers on job sites has found a second use as a contact tracer among workers who might be spreading the coronavirus. The WakeCap also lets users monitor and maintain social distancing. Redshift (6/16)

Delays and budget blowouts are common in construction, but the industry has a wealth of technology to help. An interactive graphic explores challenges and the tech landscape. Redshift (6/24)

The Senate has passed an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program to Aug. 8, but the measure's fate in the House before Congress' two-week recess is unclear. Questions remain regarding how to distribute the program's remaining funds as demand from small businesses slows. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (6/30)

Project closures or delays contributed to a 23.8% rise in construction loan delinquencies -- totaling $3.67 billion -- in the first quarter, according to Standard & Poors' Global Market Intelligence Report. GlobeSt (free registration) (6/29)

Methods of compliance, respiratory protection and communication of hazards are among new compliance directives issued by OSHA for enforcing silica standards. The directives can help ensure uniformity in inspection and enforcement procedures when dealing with respirable crystalline silica exposures in construction. Manufacturing Business Technology (6/29)

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.