As of November 15, 2019, building owners in New York City are required to install “sustainable roofing zones” on all newly constructed buildings, expansions of existing roofs and roof replacements. The new laws were passed by the New York City Council on April 18, 2019, and became law on May 20, 2019. These new ordinances, known as Local Laws 92 and 94 of 2019, passed as part of a broad package of laws known as the New York City Climate Mobilization Act, whose goal is reduction of building carbon emissions. Because the sustainable roof requirements are effective now, plans submitted to the Department of Buildings for approval must include plans for sustainable roofs.
Major Milestone Reached in Phase II of New York City’s Second Avenue Subway Project
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) announced that the Federal Transit Administration issued a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI) for Phase II of New York City’s Second Avenue Subway Project. The FONSI was issued after an extensive update of the original Environmental Impact Statement that was prepared in 2004. The new findings mean changes to the design of the project since 2004 were found to have no additional adverse impact on the environment in the construction area.
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney said: “This finding is a major step forward toward making Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway a reality,” “Phase 2 will make it much easier to commute to and from East Harlem, and to access Metro North and the LaGuardia bus at 125th Street. We have already seen the extraordinary success of Phase 1, and the MTA must move forward as quickly as possible to build the full-length Second Avenue Subway up to 125th Street and then down to lower Manhattan.”
Phase I of the Second Avenue Subway opened for service January 1, 2017. Phase II is now underway with engineering and environmental reviews. Phase II will extend the subway line to 125th Street with stops at 106th, 116th, and 125th. When completed, the Second Avenue Subway Line will extend 8.5 miles from 125th Street in Harlem to Hanover Square in Lower Manhattan, including 16 new ADA-accessible subway stations.
Jose A. Aquino (@JoseAquinoEsq on Twitter) is a special counsel in the New York office of Duane Morris LLP, where he is a member of the Construction Group and of the Duane Morris Cuba Business Group. Mr. Aquino focuses his practice on commercial litigation with a concentration in construction law, mechanics’ lien law and government procurement law. This blog is prepared and published for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s law firm or its individual attorneys.
New York Construction Industry Welcomes New Agreement On Extension Of 421-A Tax Abatement Program
Almost a year after it expired, the Building and Construction Trades Council and the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) reached an agreement to restore the 421-a tax exemption program. The New York State legislature still has to approve the agreement.
The new agreement will require developers to pay construction workers an average hourly wage of $60 (including wages and benefits) for projects in Manhattan with over 300 units south of 96th Street. In Brooklyn and Queens, the average hourly rate for workers, including wages and benefits, will be $45, and the wage and benefit obligations will apply to buildings located in Community Boards 1 and 2 within one mile of the nearest waterfront bulkhead. Projects with 50 percent or more affordable apartments are excluded from the wage and benefits requirement.
The agreement will also extend the maximum time developers will pay zero in property tax with the 421-a program from 21 years to 35 years. In exchange, affordable apartments with rent limitations must remain that way an additional 5 years to 40 years.
To assure compliance with the wage and benefits obligation of the program, developers will have to hire independent monitors to audit certified payrolls. The independent monitors will certify to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development within 120 days of the receipt of the final Certificate of Occupancy that the compulsory wages and benefits have been paid.
Under the new agreement, developers may opt out of the 421-a wage and benefits requirement by entering into a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). If a developer chooses to enter into a PLA, the developer can still take advantage of all other elements of the 421-a program.
“The deal reached today between these parties provides more affordability for tenants and fairer wages for workers than under the original proposal. While I would prefer even more affordability in the 421-a program, this agreement marks a major step forward for New Yorkers,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.
Rob Speyer, chair of REBNY, said: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement that will permit the production of new rental housing in New York City, including a substantial share of affordable units, while also ensuring good wages for construction workers.”
Jose A. Aquino (@JoseAquinoEsq on Twitter) is a special counsel in the New York office of Duane Morris LLP, where he is a member of the Construction Group and of the Duane Morris Cuba Business Group. Mr. Aquino focuses his practice on commercial litigation with a concentration in construction law, mechanics’ lien law and government procurement law. This blog is prepared and published for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s law firm or its individual attorneys.
New York University Gets $100M Donation for Engineering School
NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering received a $100-million donation from trustee Chandrika Tandon and her husband, Ranjan. The school will be renamed the Tandon School of Engineering. The Tandons said in a statement that they “hope their gift will bring many more of us together to reinvent engineering.”
NYU President John Sexton said the funds would go to faculty, financial aid and new areas of engineering. NYU pledged to raise an additional $50 million in response to the donation. The engineering school has approximately 5,000 students.
Jose A. Aquino (@JoseAquinoEsq on Twitter) is a special counsel in the New York office of Duane Morris LLP, where he is a member of the Construction Group and focuses his practice on commercial litigation with a concentration in construction law, mechanics’ lien law and government procurement law.. This blog is prepared and published for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s law firm or its individual attorneys.
Mayor De Blasio Appoints Maria Torres-Springer As Next NYC Economic Development Corporation President
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Maria Torres-Springer as the next president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). EDC is a not-for-profit corporation charged with using New York City’s assets to promote economic growth, create jobs and improve the quality of life in in each of the City’s five boroughs. EDC also helps create affordable housing, new parks, shopping areas, community centers and cultural centers.
Torres-Springer will be the first woman to lead EDC. She has been the Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) since 2014. Former EDC president Kyle Kimball resigned in March to join Consolidated Edison as Vice President of Government Relations.
“Maria has a proven track-record opening doors for New Yorkers and working closely with businesses to grow our economy. We are proud to have her lead EDC. Maria will focus on growing vital sectors in our economy, and preparing New Yorkers to seize those opportunities so they can be a part of our economic success story,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Before being appointed Commissioner of SBS, Torres-Springer served as the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at EDC. Torres-Springer has also served at the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development & Rebuilding as a Senior Policy Advisor and as the Chief Operating Officer of Friends of the Highline. Torres-Springer received a B.A. in Ethics, Politics and Economics from Yale University and a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Jose A. Aquino (@JoseAquinoEsq on Twitter) is a special counsel in the New York office of Duane Morris LLP, where he is a member of the Construction Group and focuses his practice on commercial litigation with a concentration in construction law, mechanics’ lien law and government procurement law.. This blog is prepared and published for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s law firm or its individual attorneys.
Department of Buildings Expands Online Filings and Approvals
The New York City Department of Buildings (“DOB”) recently announced the expansion of its online NYC Development Hub. Introduced by the DOB to facilitate the review and approval process on major construction projects, the Development Hub is a high-tech plan processing center offering faster approvals, fewer office visits to DOB and reduced paper submissions. Since its inception in October 2011, the Hub has approved more than 300 new buildings and major renovation projects.
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NYCEDC Seeks Expressions of Interest for the Re-Development of up to 100 acres at the Staten Island Teleport
The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority) have issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for re-development at the Staten Island Industrial Park known as the Teleport. The RFEI will seek ideas from developers to expand or transform the site, or to utilize the site more efficiently. Currently, approximately half of the Teleport is used as a data center and office park, while the remaining half, another 40 acres, is available for development.
A public notice regarding the opportunity was posted at the EDC’s website here. The notice summarized some background and elements of the project as follows:
New York City Sandy Neighborhood Game-Changer Investment Competition
New York City economic Development Corp. is requesting proposals from qualified firms or individuals to establish programs to “catalyze significant long-term economic growth” in five areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy. See here.
The RFP process is described by the EDC as:
“NYCEDC is requesting proposals from qualified individuals, organizations or companies to execute projects and/or programs that will catalyze significant long-term economic growth in one of the following five areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy: the East and South Shores of Staten Island, Southern Manhattan, Southern Brooklyn, the Brooklyn-Queens Waterfront, and South Queens (collectively, the “Impact Areas”).
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