SMARTBRIEFRESEARCHMEDIA SMARTBRIEF Subscribe here for free Top Story Coletti: Labor shortage hits nonunion segment hardest June 23, 2022 The nonunion labor force in New York is facing labor shortages that aren't occurring in the union segment, says Lou Coletti, president and CEO of the New York chapter of the Building Trades Employers' Association. In this interview, Coletti discusses the reason for this discrepancy as well as demand for office space and what might happen if 421a isn't extended. Commercial Observer (6/20) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Bill would provide for study of seawall around NYC June 23, 2022 The New York State Senate has approved the formation of a committee to study the possibility of building a seawall around New York City. "New York City must prepare now for the next superstorm, to determine where a seawall might help save lives and protect vital infrastructure that could cost billions to repair," says one of the bill's sponsors, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo. QNS (Bayside, N.Y.) (6/21) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Taconic Partners launches life sciences unit June 23, 2022 Developer Taconic Partners is consolidating its portfolio of properties related to life sciences research into a new subsidiary called Elevate Research Properties. Elevate's plans include spending more than $250 million to develop offices at 309 East 94th St. near several medical research institutions; it shares ownership of the site with Nuveen Real Estate. The Wall Street Journal (6/21) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology Software taps AI for different construction scenarios June 23, 2022 Construction technology startup Alice Technologies plans to further develop its products and expand hiring with $30 million in Series B funding, according to CEO Rene Morkos. The company's tools draw on artificial intelligence to aid planning stages from preconstruction through project delivery and allow users to play out different scenarios taking into account variables such as equipment, labor and materials. TechCrunch (tiered subscription model) (6/13) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology How to anticipate hiring needs amid labor shortage June 23, 2022 Anticipating when to hire teams can be a big help for contractors struggling with the ongoing labor shortage. In a video, Gary Fuchs, senior workforce adviser at LaborChart, discusses the advantages of knowing team and retraining needs ahead of when they're actually needed. For Construction Pros (6/15) VIEW ARTICLE Policy Watch Legislature happy to see 421a housing tax break expire June 23, 2022 New York City's tax abatement for affordable housing, known as 421a, has lapsed after a last-minute flurry of activity, and there seems to be little legislative sentiment to revive it soon. "At a time when the market is incredibly hot and people continue to build throughout high-end areas of the city, I don't think anybody in the Legislature thought it was a great idea to give giant tax exemptions for activity," says state Sen. Liz Krueger, chair of the Finance Committee. Commercial Observer (6/17) VIEW ARTICLE CCA Metro News Union carpenters and contractors: Leading the way in hotel and hospitality construction June 23, 2022 Hotel and hospitality construction is essential to our recovery. Watch here to see how union carpenters and contractors have been leading the way on these projects and are ready for your next job. From new construction to renovations and improvements, we have the experience and reliability to deliver on-time, on-budget value to you as hotel and hospitality project owners. VIEW ARTICLE CCA Metro News Searchable contractor directory June 23, 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 Top Story Design bidding open for NYC $7B Penn Station project June 15, 2022 Design submissions from architectural and engineering firms will be accepted until July 28 for a remake of New York City's Penn Station. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said officials expect to announce a design winner for the $7 billion project by late summer or early fall. amNewYork (6/9) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Still no tenant signed for South Bronx logistics center June 15, 2022 Construction has gone vertical at a logistics center and five-story garage in the South Bronx that will contain 1.3 million square feet of space, making it one of New York City's largest industrial projects. No tenant has been signed as yet, and there might be more than one for the complex, which is being developed by Turnbridge Equities and Dune Real Estate Partners. Commercial Observer (6/14) VIEW ARTICLE Project Focus Future JPMorgan Chase HQ is rising toward the sky June 15, 2022 Work goes on at 270 Park Avenue in Midtown East, the future home of JPMorgan Chase scheduled for completion in 2025. The 60-story skyscraper, which will have 2.5 million square feet of office space, has risen nearly to the level of the first setback. New York YIMBY (6/14) VIEW ARTICLE Innovation & Technology AI improves vision inspection systems June 15, 2022 Artificial intelligence is improving the capabilities of vision inspection systems that monitor equipment condition. Advanced systems are easier for users to program, deploy and train others. VentureBeat (6/6) 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