January 2025

YONKERS—For nearly two decades, Empire City has served as a major economic engine for Westchester, the surrounding area and all of New York State. Empire City recently surpassed $5 billion of funding earmarked for New York State education, and it has contributed more than $1.3 billion of that over the past five years, a top executive of the company noted.

Many motor vehicles, including those in the construction industry, are equipped with rear-view cameras, but older vehicles in use may not have them. The perils posed by vehicles reversing during construction operations with obstructed views are quite evident, and OSHA has in place specific rules to protect workers. For example, a vehicle operating within an off-highway jobsite (closed to public traffic) is required to have either a reverse signal alarm above the surrounding noise level or require the presence of an observer to signal to the driver that it is safe to reverse.

Over the past four decades, Mike Popp has channeled the suffering and despair he personally experienced as a young man into the hope and recovery service that has benefitted thousands of people who faced personal or family troubles in their lives. You can hear it the tone of his voice; he has a compassion for people who suffer from substance abuse, from the mounting stress of these increasingly complex times and from the temptation to walk on the darker side of life.

NEW YORK—Following many failed attempts to reimagine the 108-year-old facility, New York City announced on Tues., Jan. 7, it had selected the team that will redevelop the city-owned and long underutilized Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx into a mixed-use complex that will feature sports and entertainment facilities and residential housing.

ALBANY—After the State Legislature passed the measure in June, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Dec. 26 signed legislation aimed at bolstering New York’s efforts to protect and restore the environment by requiring large fossil fuel companies to pay billions of dollars for critical climate change protection related projects.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced recently that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration had finalized a revision to the personal protective equipment standard for construction. The final rule explicitly requires the equipment to properly fit any construction worker who needs it, improving protections from hazardous conditions.

ALBANY—Employers in New York State have enjoyed a steady decline in Workers’ Compensation rates over the last few years, with contractors in a State Fund Safety Group probably seeing an even larger decrease in their insurance costs.

As we start the new year, Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to develop as a potential force in the construction industry, offering ways to navigate post-COVID challenges and adapting to unpredictable economic conditions. While AI advancements may enhance design, streamline operations and support financial growth, their full impact remains uncertain. Construction firms will need to carefully assess how these technologies align with their strategies in an increasingly complex landscape.

WHITE PLAINS—The Westchester County Board of Legislators voted unanimously on Jan. 6 to appoint Deputy County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins Westchester County Executive until a Special Election, which the Board has set for Feb. 11.

Low bid news from around the state.