WHAT'S NEW & WHO'S NEWS
Westchester Awards Over $250M in Contracts
To Minority/Women Business Enterprise Firms
Since 2018 WHITE PLAINS—Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced on Jan. 31 a significant achievement in economic empowerment, as the minority and women-owned business enterprises program (MWBE) has successfully awarded more than $250 million in contracts to registered minority and women-owned businesses over the past five years.
Under Westchester County’s Office of Economic Development, the MWBE Program helps connect minority and women-owned businesses to county departments, contract opportunities and free workshops and training.
Mr. Latimer said, “We are thrilled to announce that our MWBE Program has surpassed the $250-million mark in terms of economic impact. This achievement reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive and thriving economic landscape. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain steadfast in our dedication to supporting entrepreneurs and fostering a diverse community where everyone can reach their full potential.”
DEP Names ECCO III Skanska JV Low Bidder On Contract for Hillview Reservoir Upgrades
YONKERS—ECCO III Enterprises, Inc., of Yonkers reported on Feb. 8 that the ECCO III Skanska JV Team is the apparent low bidder on Contract HVR-210 Hillview Reservoir Chemical Addition Facilities.
The ECCO/Skanska team was the lower of two bidders at $847.72 million, according to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection website.
The Hillview Reservoir is a 90-acre storage reservoir in Yonkers that stores and treats drinking water for distribution in both New York City and Yonkers. The objective of this project is to update and modernize the reservoir’s facilities to comply with new regulatory requirements, while ensuring the safety of the reservoir’s nearby residential communities.
Planned enhancements include improvements to flow control, increased chemical storage capacity, the establishment of new chemical addition facilities and monitoring systems (CAF-North and CAF-South), implementation of a SCADA system, upgrades to electrical infrastructure, deployment of innovative flow measurement systems, and renovation of the existing North Entrance.
Furthermore, the project encompasses the replacement of existing chemical feeding and monitoring systems, construction of new roadways to enhance accessibility, and the decommissioning and demolition of obsolete structures to pave the way for modern facilities.
The construction of new CAF buildings involves extensive support of excavation, incorporating techniques such as secant piles, soldier piles and lagging, tie backs, as well as substantial earthwork, concrete work, architectural furnishings and finishes, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work.
New York City-Based Firm Wins $182 Million Utility Relocation Job for Second Ave. Subway
NEW YORK—New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has awarded the first construction contract for the extension of the Second Avenue Subway from 96th Street to 125th Street in Harlem to C.A.C. Industries, Inc. a family-owned heavy civil contractor based in New York City, specializing in infrastructure projects.
The initial $182-million award is for the first component of the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project, which will finally deliver subway service to residents of East Harlem, one of the most transit-dependent neighborhoods in New York City.
This is the first of four construction contracts for the new line, which will extend the Q train from 96th Street to 125th Street, serving more than 100,000 average daily riders and building three new ADA-accessible stations for the East Harlem community. The contract will relocate underground utilities from 105th Street to 110th Street on Second Avenue at the site of the future 106th Street Station, in order to facilitate the subsequent cut-and-cover construction of the station.
“We’re moving full speed ahead to extend the Second Avenue Subway to East Harlem, expanding transit access for thousands of New Yorkers,” Gov. Hochul said. “This critical milestone will put shovels in the ground for the next phase of this transformative project. East Harlem has dreamed of transit access for decades—and we’re committed to getting the job done.”
Revenue from congestion pricing will support $15 billion in funding for critical projects in the MTA’s current capital program, which includes Second Avenue Subway Phase 2.
As part of the MTA’s commitment to delivering key infrastructure projects better, faster, and cheaper, the first contract for Phase 2 incorporates lessons learned from Second Avenue Subway Phase 1. Addressing utility relocation requirements upfront will reduce the risk of unexpected costs or delays later as construction progresses. The first contract will also include temporary streetscape modifications that will be required during construction, including new bike lanes to replace those that will be impacted by construction on Second Avenue, and building remediation in preparation for future contracts for the new subway station at 106th Street.
Additional cost containment initiatives in Phase 2 include reuse of a tunnel segment that was built in the 1970s from 110th Street to 120th Street along Second Avenue, early real estate acquisition, adoption of best value contract structures like A+B contracts, reduction in back-of-house and ancillary space, and close coordination of contracts.
Tutor Perini Unit Awarded $67 Million MTA Ethernet Installation Contract
NEW YORK— Tutor Perini Corp. announced on Feb. 6 that its subsidiary, Five Star Electric, has been awarded a systems installation and integration project by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Construction and Development valued at approximately $67 million for the Connection-Oriented Ethernet, Phase 3C project.
The project scope of work includes the replacement of approximately 150,000 feet of fiber optic cable; interconnecting and integrating more than 360 branch sites into MTA’s network; connecting, testing and integrating existing service delivery switches at more than 150 branch sites; and integrating existing closed circuit television cameras at 125 stations to existing video management and physical security information management systems.
Work has recently commenced and substantial completion is anticipated in late 2028. The contract value will be included in the company’s backlog beginning in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Peckham Industries Acquires Terminal Assets of Gorman Group
BREWSTER, NY—Locally-based Peckham Industries, Inc., has acquired the Gorman Group’s liquid asphalt terminal assets as part of a larger transaction wherein the entirety of the Gorman Group is being sold.
Located in Rensselaer NY, the terminal is the largest privately-held asphalt terminal on the East Coast. The acquisition will provide Peckham with additional opportunities in the New York/ New England region, supplying both internal and external hot-mix asphalt plants and emulsion mills, company officials stated. No terms of the transaction were disclosed.
“This acquisition allows us to further integrate and grow our presence in the Hudson Valley region of New York, one of the most rapidly growing parts of the state,” said Damian Murphy, president of Peckham Industries, Inc. “We recognize the prominent history of Gorman and the significant contribution the business has made to the region. This terminal will enable Peckham to utilize the multimodal access offered by the Rensselaer terminal for expanded sourcing options, as well as increased proximity to our customers, all of which create opportunities to distribute asphalt in the most cost-efficient manner possible. This acquisition is a very proud moment for Peckham Industries and we look forward to the integration of these two family-owned and operated companies.”
Tony Gorman, president of The Gorman Group, noted, “We are extremely excited for the Gorman terminal to join Peckham Industries. Our shared values as family-owned companies will ensure a seamless transition as we work through the integration process. We are pleased that our terminal and employees will be a part of the growth of Peckham Industries in the surrounding region.”
FMI Capital Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to the Gorman Family for this transaction.
The deal for the asphalt terminal assets of Gorman follows Peckham’s purchase in June of 2023 of E. Tetz & Sons, Inc. of Middletown, NY and its subsidiary, Tetz Asphalt LLC, which are located in Orange County, NY.
Collectively known as “Tetz,” the company was the leading aggregate, ready-mix concrete and hot-mix asphalt producer, serving customers in the Hudson Valley region with more than 130 employees.
Privately held Peckham Industries, Inc., a family-operated company entering its 100th year, now employs nearly 1,200 people at more than 30 facilities in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Peckham and its family of companies provide road construction materials and road construction services, including hot asphalt, liquid asphalt, asphalt emulsion, stone and aggregates, ready-mix concrete, and liquid calcium chloride, as well as precast structural concrete components for large-scale construction projects throughout the Northeast.