Author name: niallogara

It’s always a bad idea to exaggerate the amount of a mechanic’s lien. While the exaggerating lienor may succeed in getting the attention of the owner or upstream contractor with such an action, the negative boomerang effects—such as having the lien declared void—greatly outweighs the shock value of a big number on the lien.

HYDE PARK, NY—A survey released on March 5 by the Siena College Research Institute of more than 500 upstate business leaders showed optimism that several sectors of the economy—technology, education, tourism, medical and manufacturing—will prosper in the next three to five years. Also, a majority describe current business conditions in their local area as staying the same or getting better.

WASHINGTON—Thanks to the funding levels that are part of the $1.2 trillion IIJA, President Joe Biden’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2025 is sticking with highway spending transit obligation limits that are in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Heavy infrastructure programs remain high on his list if you look at the funding requests for two key construction agencies, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

ALBANY —The New York State Public Service Commission recently approved plans by Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., for a new two-year electric system construction project, valued at $57.8 million. It is designed to improve electric service reliability and system resiliency for approximately 45,000 utility customers by installing 5.5 miles of new electric transmission cable underground in the southwest section of Clarkstown.

The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission’s decision in Secretary of Labor v. Gate Precast Company reaffirms the safety requirements for construction companies that have crews working at heights and the precautions and training they must undertake with both permanent and temporary employees.

HVCIP MID-WINTER MEETING
Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida • February 25 – February 29, 2024. 175 Members and Guests Convene to Discuss Management & Labor Concerns, Contracting Challenges, Labor Relations, Public Works
and Private Development Programs.

YONKERS, NY—The long-anticipated redevelopment of the Teutonia Hall site on Buena Vista Avenue here is primed to move forward following final approval of financial incentives from the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency last month. AMS Acquisitions, the developer, was approved on Feb. 29 for nearly $17.5 million for the twin-tower project, which is on the Hudson River waterfront.

MONTGOMERY, NY—A proposed project to locate a multi-building advanced manufacturing complex at the Aden Brook Commerce Park here was one of seven winners of the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York (FAST NY) grant awards geared to providing funding for shovel-ready projects.

Many companies that have submitted documentation to the Small Business Association and that have had Paycheck Protection Program loans forgiven may think they are home free. Think again. The SBA has the right for up to 10 years from the time of forgiveness to audit the documentation and challenge some, if not all, of the forgiveness if it finds the documentation lacking.