SMARTBRIEFRESEARCHMEDIA SMARTBRIEF Subscribe here for free Top Story Formerly "grande dame," Hotel Pennsylvania to be razed April 14, 2021 The Hotel Pennsylvania at 401 Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, opened in 1919, reportedly will be demolished to make way for development by Vornado Realty Trust. Vornado CEO Steven Roth told shareholders in the REIT's annual letter that while "[t]he Pennsylvania may have been a grande dame in its time," at this point "it is decades past its glory and sell-by date." The Real Deal (4/12) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus N.J. governor notes Gateway Project is moving forward April 14, 2021 The Hudson Tunnel part of the Gateway Program is moving forward again under President Joe Biden's leadership, says New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. The environmental review and permitting process for the project is expected to be completed by Oct. 1. Patch (4/9) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology Cost quandaries seen as barrier to tech adoption April 14, 2021 The introduction of technology in construction is being held back by difficulty in calculating cost savings over the useful life of a system, Bentley Systems CEO Greg Bentley says. Remarks at McKinsey's Global Infrastructure Initiative event show wide agreement, and Bentley urges firms to consider how data from the build-out stage can inform operational decisions. New Civil Engineer (tiered subscription model) (4/9) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology Device safely carries workers up a tower's columns April 14, 2021 The Italian-made Despe Self Climbing Kokoon has ensured worker safety on the 50 Hudson Yards tower in New York City by hydraulically raising itself tier by tier. The machine eliminates the need for a crane to convey workers, using an onboard power source as it latches on to a building's columns to move from one floor to the next. Construction Dive (4/7) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch Council subcommittee hears Governors Island arguments April 14, 2021 After a subcommittee hearing, a City Council vote is expected in May on a rezoning proposal for Governors Island in New York Harbor, where plans have been drawn for a climate solutions center and other development. The Trust for Governors Island says the climate center would create 8,000 jobs and $1 billion in economic impact. The Business Journals (tiered subscription model) (4/7) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch Don't wait to apply for a PPP loan April 14, 2021 There are several reasons business owners should apply for Paycheck Protection Program loans as soon as possible, including the fact that the program could run out of funds before it expires. Inc. (tiered subscription model) (4/9) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch How the ULURP affects developments April 14, 2021 Asar John provides a tutorial on a process in NYC often in the news -- the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, ULURP for short, around since 1975. John covers some history and provides examples of how the ULURP procedure has been used to alter the course of developments that rankled communities. Brooklyn Daily Eagle (N.Y.) (4/7) VIEW ARTICLE CCA Metro News Meet the New York City District Council of Carpenters and its local unions April 14, 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 CCA Metro News Searchable contractor directory April 14, 2021 Visit our 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 Editor's Note Correction April 14, 2021 A summary in last Thursday's CCA Metro SmartBrief misidentified the governor of New York. Andrew Cuomo is the current governor. SmartBrief regrets the error. VIEW ARTICLE Top Story Budget bill limits Cuomo's plans for Penn Station area April 7, 2021 New York Gov. Mario Cuomo isn't getting everything he sought from state lawmakers for his plan to redevelop the Penn Station area of Midtown Manhattan with 10 towers. The capital budget bill submitted provides for billions in bonds but specifically prohibits using the funds to finance "above-grade development." Daily News (New York) (tiered subscription model) (4/6) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus NYC's Geffen Hall project accelerates amid pandemic April 7, 2021 Canceled performances of the New York Philharmonic and at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts have facilitated speedy reconstruction of Geffen Hall. The $550 million project is expected to be completed 1½ years early in fall 2022. The Associated Press (4/5) VIEW ARTICLE VIEW SMARTBRIEF ARCHIVES 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 - 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