SMARTBRIEFRESEARCHMEDIA SMARTBRIEF Subscribe here for free Top Story NYC outlines 10-year capital plan July 22, 2021 A new website outlines New York City's 10-year, $133.7 billion plan to improve roads, schools, bridges, water systems and transportation systems. More than half of the funds in the capital strategy will go toward projects that promote a state of good repair. Gotham Gazette (New York City) (7/21) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus FAA approves construction of monorail to LaGuardia July 22, 2021 The Federal Aviation Administration has allowed the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to build a 1.5-mile AirTrain linking Manhattan and LaGuardia Airport. The Port Authority expects to begin construction on the $2.1 billion project this summer. The New York Times (7/20) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Bank issues $385M loan for Pacific Park project July 22, 2021 Wells Fargo has approved a $385 million loan for developer TF Cornerstone to build the Pacific Park project in Brooklyn. Plans call for two apartment towers, ground-floor retail and an underground parking garage on Dean Street in Prospect Heights, two blocks from the Barclays Center arena. The Real Deal (7/15) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Renderings: Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center July 22, 2021 New renderings have been released for the Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center, under construction in the Financial District with completion expected in 2023. The 138-foot-tall building is being developed by a nonprofit company called The Perelman from a design by REX, with Davis Brody Bond Architects listed as executive architect. New York YIMBY (7/19) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology Graphisoft upgrades Archicad software July 22, 2021 Designers and architects using Graphisoft's Archicad software for building information modeling will be able to access a larger library and improved rendering options with the latest edition. Archicad 25 also includes better cloud integration and an improved connection to the BIMx viewer. Engineering News-Record (tiered subscription model) (7/15) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology Survey: Contractors expect digital transformation to pay off July 22, 2021 The construction industry continues its long transition into the digital age, but the outlook is bright as 96% of industry respondents in a survey by software company InEight express optimism for improved productivity. More than 9 in 10 say they've adopted a digital strategy, while 7 in 10 say they've already seen positive results. Construction Dive (7/14) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch Infrastructure bill might hit filibuster snag July 22, 2021 Senate Republicans are raising the possibility of a filibuster against a bipartisan infrastructure package if a funding solution isn't found. However, after a late-night session, agreement is within reach, negotiators say. The Associated Press (7/21) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch Gowanus rezoning on NYC Planning Commission calendar July 22, 2021 The New York City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing July 28 on the Gowanus Neighborhood Plan, the controversial rezoning of a section of Brooklyn along the Gowanus Canal. That and several other items involving the Planning Commission are chronicled in this calendar prepared by law firm Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton. The National Law Review (7/15) VIEW ARTICLE CCA Metro News Union carpenters and contractors - trained for safety and infection control in healthcare facilities July 22, 2021 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 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. Click here to learn about this critical training. VIEW ARTICLE CCA Metro News Meet the New York City District Council of Carpenters and its local unions July 22, 2021 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 Top Story Funding questions remain for $1.2T infrastructure deal July 14, 2021 Talks continue on the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, which Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hopes will pass in the Senate before its August recess. Funding provides a potential sticking point, and its possible that the Congressional Budget Office will state that agreed-upon revenue increases will fail to cover the plan's $600 billion for road, bridge, rail and broadband improvements. The New York Times (7/13) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Photos: 595 Dean Street in Brooklyn ready to rise July 14, 2021 Excavation work is finished and cranes have been assembled to construct two mixed-use buildings at 595 Dean Street in the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. The TF Cornerstone project, set for completion in the spring of 2023, will include 800 residential units and ground-level retail. New York YIMBY (7/10) VIEW ARTICLE VIEW SMARTBRIEF ARCHIVES RESEARCH 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 - 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