TARRYTOWN—Armies of economic pundits appear mixed in their predictions about where the U.S. economy is going in 2024. Is it heading into recession or to

WHITE PLAINS—Westchester County Executive George Latimer and administration staff released on Oct. 17 a $473.7-million proposed 2024 Capital Budget that is highlighted by significant road

WHITE PLAINS—In what is clearly the most anticipated development proposal to hit the desks of city leaders in decades, Pacific Retail Capital Partners, The Cappelli

TARRYTOWN, NY—In the 47-year history of the Construction Industry Council, there has never been a guest speaker at an annual membership meeting quite like the

BOCA RATON, FLA—Harold Vogt, the longtime leader of The County Chamber of Commerce (now operating as The Business Council of Westchester), died on Sept. 28

CIC-BCA’s Fall Membership meeting was attended by more than 110 Members, Guests and Exhibitors.

We discussed last month how Sections 200, 240(1), and 241(6) of New York’s Labor Law, which are commonly referred to as New York’s “Scaffold Law,”

Joann Gentile finally found the pathway to her career one snowy night, around 2:00 am, when she queued up— along with 100 other hopeful applicants

MOUNT PLEASANT, NY—In response to the recent flooding emergencies that continue to inundate sections of the Town of Mount Pleasant during significant storms, the Town

Housing market activity remains particularly weak, which is being attributed to rising mortgage rates, elevated home prices and constrained housing inventory. According to Forbes, this

ALBANY—Wall Street’s 2023 first half profits of $13 billion were down 4.3% from the same period last year but tracked the industry’s return to pre-pandemic

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported on Sept. 20 that it is accepting applications for a new $7.5-billion credit assistance program, the Corps Water

NEW YORK—The New York City Economic Development Corporation released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Sept. 25 for a developer to lease, redevelop, and operate

The recent decision in Secretary of Labor v. Americold Logistics, LLC reaffirms the need for construction companies to provide proper training and establish rules and

ALBANY—The Business Council of New York State announced recently the first of several state-wide information campaigns designed to educate New York voters on the impacts

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in construction has the potential to enable the industry to overcome some of the unprecedented obstacles we have faced in recent years.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration opened applications on Sept. 29 for nearly $10 billion in funding for fiscal years 2023-2026

POUGHKEEPSIE NY—Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’Neil joined Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati in announcing on Oct. 10 that the new Dutchess County Justice &

NEW YORK–The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Sept. 27 that operations have started at a new construction support facility at

Low bid news from around the state.

TARRYTOWN—An analysis of both projects awarded so far in 2023 and those scheduled to be bid for the remainder of the year and into early

NEWBURGH—It’s been a tough year for renters and home buyers in most of the Hudson Valley, and if one study is any indication, things don’t

KINGSTON, NY–Local labor leaders, apprentices and elected officials joined Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger on Sept. 6 in Kingston for a ceremonial signing of local

WASHINGTON—Labor unions continue to enjoy high support in the U.S., with 67% of Americans approving of them, which is similar to the elevated level seen

Sections 200, 240(1), and 241(6) of New York’s Labor Law are commonly referred to as New York’s “Scaffold Law.” The Scaffold Law was enacted back

NEW YORK—Construction is underway on the converter station for the 339-Mile Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) transmission line terminating in Astoria, Queens.

CENTRAL VALLEY, NY—Who said brick and mortar retail is dead. Woodbury Common Premium Outlets has new plans to dramatically grow the retail enterprise here

TARRYTOWN, NY—Looking to extend its bragging rights for another year, The Pavers led by Stephen Hocker of ECCO III Enterprises faced off against The Builders,

NEW YORK—Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Lisa F. Garcia, the Regional Administrator for Region 2 of

NEW YORK—The New York Building Congress has launched the Infrastructure Action Council (IAC), a group of building industry leaders driving infrastructure advocacy efforts at the

As is well documented and reported, a cave-in or trench collapse can lead to serious injuries and even death. The recent decision in Secretary of

ALBANY—The New York State Thruway Authority Board of Directors approved on Sept. 18 toll increases on the New York State Thruway system following a 10-month

TARRYTOWN, NY—For contractors, most Mondays begin with the usual routine of managing planned work assignments with enough latitude built in to handle the curveballs that

In late July 2023, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates again by a quarter of a percentage point to 5.5%, reaching its highest level in

WHITE PLAINS—Westchester County’s Local Development Corporation (LDC)voted on Aug. 23 final approval of $195-million in tax-exempt bond financing for the development of a new 162,626-square-foot

NEW YORK—The developers of the long-anticipated movie/television studio project at Pier 94 on Manhattan’s West Side say that construction is expected to begin this fall

PEARL RIVER, NY—A division of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. has signed a lease renewal and expansion totaling more than 151,000 square feet of space at

WASHINGTON—The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and the National Association of Home Builders were among the first business organizations to protest the revised

NEWARK, NJ—The Gateway Development Commission at its Board of Commissioners meeting on Sept. 11 approved first direct contract awards: two contracts for construction and construction

Nicola Altomare

NEW YORK—New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced earlier this month that New York City has been allocated for $987 million in federal infrastructure funding

A roundup of what’s new and who’s in the news both locally and in the state.

ALBANY—The New York State Department of Labor released the results of its 2023 Workforce Development Survey, and workers continue to say that flexibility in their

Low bid news from around the state.

WHITE PLAINS—Despite the historic funding levels made available through the $4.2-billion environmental bond act that voters approved last November, the construction and environmental groups that

NEW YORK—A recently released report by the New York Building Congress paints a very positive outlook for the state’s construction sector as the industry becomes

HIGHLANDS, NY—U.S. Route 9W in the Town of Highlands in Orange County has reopened following the devastating floods that struck the Hudson Valley on

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor announced on Aug. 8 it will be “Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulation,” which sets the prevailing wages contractors

NEW WINDSOR, NY—Hugh G. “Jerry” Keahon, Jr., a fixture in the Hudson Valley concrete supply sector for more than five decades and a board member

Construction contracts, like other contracts, are meant to define the relationship between the parties. In that regard, the parties are generally free to negotiate the

The ripple effects of hybrid work (in office and at home) have been substantial. Untethered from their offices, residents have left urban centers and shifted

HAMILTON, NJ—Recently released new data from Dodge Construction Network found that the value of commercial and multifamily construction starts across the top 10 metropolitan areas

CARMEL, NY–Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne hosted a townhall-style meeting on Aug. 3 to address Putnam Valley residents about the much-anticipated Peekskill Hollow Road construction

TARRYTOWN, NY—Eighteen college and graduate students will begin the fall semester each with a $5,000 grant from the Louis G. Nappi Construction Labor-Management Scholarship Fund

GOSHEN, NY—Orange County officials broke ground on Aug. 3 on a new Medical Examiner’s Office being built adjacent to the county’s Emergency Services Center on

Power saws, shears, presses and other machines typically used in construction require one or more methods of machine guarding to protect operators from the hazards

ALBANY—New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced earlier this month that a major project recently completed by the New York State Department of Transportation—The Kew Gardens

WASHINGTON—More than 222,000 U.S. bridges need major repair work or should be replaced, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) analysis of

By their very nature, family businesses in the construction industry can thrive on the strength of relationships that run deeper than those between unrelated co-workers.

NEW YORK—If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again…and again. New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced

ALBANY—New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Aug. 16 she had signed legislation (S.4887/A.5608) into law, enacting the “Roadway Quality Assurance Act,” strengthening New York’s

A roundup of what’s new and who’s in the news both locally and in the state.

Low bid news from around the state.

WHITE PLAINS—The destruction caused by torrential rains and flooding that battered the region this month was historic in sections—and the expense is likely to be

NEW YORK—News on the long-delayed Gateway Project came in fast and furious over the past few weeks, culminating with the announcement on July 6 of

ALBANY— New York State said it award of more than $516 million in enhanced assistance for 216 projects to 141 local governments to rehabilitate and

WASHINGTON—From general fund transfers to electric vehicle (EV) registration fees, 2023 has turned out to be a busy year for state transportation funding advocates. As

NEW YORK—Skanska, the global construction and development firm based in New York City, and joint venture partner, Halmar International, LLC, announced on June 26 the

TARRYTOWN, NY—As part of its mission to enhance expertise and professionalism in building and construction in the Lower Hudson Valley, the Construction Advancement Institute (CAI)

The release and waiver of lien is as ubiquitous on a construction project as the payment requisition form itself—and perhaps blueprints, as well. These documents

NEW YORK—The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is advancing Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway with the solicitation of the first contract for construction of the

NEW CITY, NY—Rockland County posted on social media on May 28 that Rockland County Executive Ed Day signed a resolution in the amount of $250,000

RENSSELAER, NY—As New York State continues its push for green and renewable energy sources, The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) on July 14 released

ALBANY—New York State officials announced recently the start of a $44.7-million project to rehabilitate the bridge carrying the Bruckner Expressway over Rosedale Avenue in the

Knollwood Country Club, Elmsford, NY
June 6, 2023 – 88 Golfers, 114 Dinner Guests
Participated in 66th Annual Golf Outing.

Construction companies that maintain in-house first aid responders who would conduct clean-up operations following an accident must be properly trained and the company must have

NEW YORK—The New York City Department of Environmental Protection announced late last month a schedule change for planned work on the Delaware Aqueduct, the world’s

What’s new in construction as the pandemic lies behind us? While construction has been through its share of suffering in a series of disruptive challenges

The surrounding communities where flash flooding left cars stranded, homes in residential areas submerged and sections of roadways destroyed US Military Academy at West Point

ALBANY–Communities statewide that face aftermath recovery from the severe weather emergencies this month have more time to apply for certain resiliency-related state grants. The new

A roundup of what’s new and who’s in the news both locally and in the state.

Low bid news from around the state.

TOWN OF WALLKILL, NY—Officials with the New York State Department of Transportation held a public hearing on June 1 at Wallkill Town Hall to update

BEAR MOUNTAIN, NY—As Hudson River bridge crossings go, the cost of construction of the Bear Mountain Bridge was a real bargain.
Back when it opened

TARRYTOWN—The names of failed bridges continue to haunt our nation’s transportation legacy. Mianus River, Schoharie Creek, Tennessee Hatchie River Bridge, Cypress Street, San Francisco-Oakland Bay

NEW YORK—The polluted air in early June, affecting much of the U.S. from wildfires in Canada, should remind us that we are all connected on

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s campaign to regulate all U.S. ditches hit another roadblock on May 25. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed with the American

As anyone in the construction industry knows, subcontracting is as widespread in the industry as hammers and nails. Given this state of affairs, it is

Julia Apostolou

Toward the end of 2022 a computer program known as ChatGPT—a form of artificial intelligence—burst into the public consciousness with the possibility of revolutionizing communications.

ALBANY—The New York State Legislature passed before the end of the legislative session last week the “Roadway Excavation Quality Assurance Act” (S4887, A5608), which “provides

The use of potentially hazardous and dangerous substances such as propane, propylene and compressed oxygen, which are common in the construction industry, need to be

The 179D tax deduction provides building owners a deduction for new or remodeled commercial buildings that meet specific energy-efficient qualifications. This deduction is also available

Knollwood Country Club, Elmsford, NY
June 6, 2023 – 88 Golfers, 114 Dinner Guests
Participated in 66th Annual Golf Outing.

A roundup of what’s new and who’s in the news both locally and in the state.

WEST NYACK, NY—Local motorists, truckers and residents voiced their opinions here at the Palisades Center on May 16 over the New York State Thruway Authority’s

ALBANY—As vehicle traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels, the New York State Thruway Authority is facing a significant funding backlog in coming years, according to a

NEWBURGH, NY—Despite the headlines of a population surge three years ago into the Hudson Valley region from New York City as Gothamists sought the safety

RYE, NY—In the aftermath of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s failed “New York Housing Compact” bold initiative that called for the development of 800,000 new housing units

New York is poised to be the first city in the United States to implement a tolling program to combat traffic congestion and incentivize the

NEW YORK—A triumvirate of government bodies released on May 12 the long-debated report that supports congestion pricing in Manhattan. The Final Environmental Assessment for the

As anyone who has had the displeasure of being on the defending end of a personal injury action knows, cross claims between various defendants (seeking

TARRYTOWN, NY—Highway safety advocates are urging drivers to pay attention and slow down as part of the National Work Zone Awareness campaign this month. Construction

LOS ANGELES—New York’s highway system ranks 49th in the nation in overall cost-effectiveness and condition, according to the Annual Highway Report by the Reason Foundation

ALBANY—The Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved $51 million in funding that includes low-cost financing and previously announced grants that authorizes municipal access to

ALBANY—The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council announced on May 17 the opening of the $150-million Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund grant application for mixed-use housing and infrastructure

To ensure the safety of workers, an engineering survey is required to be performed by a competent person prior to the start of a demolition

As the pandemic ushered in disruption in a number of areas such as supply chain procurement and the bidding process, the inability to find skilled

A roundup of what’s new and who’s in the news both locally and in the state.

Low bid news from around the state.

CHESTER, NY—Although some economists are predicting a recession later this year, construction activity in the Mid-Hudson Valley will continue to be strong in 2023, according

EASTCHESTER, NY—Infrastructure rebuilding in the region took a major step forward when it was announced this month that federal and state monies are on the

TARRYTOWN—The chief executives of five major business organizations in Westchester County have jointly sent a letter to the Westchester State Delegation urging them that incentives

NEW YORK—A plan to address the needs to create more affordable housing in a post-pandemic New York would covert vacant office buildings into homes, thereby

As this column has often noted, a mechanic’s lien is a powerful tool to help a contractor get paid. Because of the power of this

WASHINGTON—More than 36,000 transportation improvement projects, including at least one in every congressional district, have moved forward in the past 16 months as implementation of

Timothy Kohany, EIT

What would happen if the U.S. government defaulted on its national debt? The Federal government has a borrowing constraint commonly known as the debt ceiling.

Rockland Community College • March 31

NEWBURGH, NY—The City of Newburgh announced on April 4 the successful completion of the first of three underground tunnels planned for the city’s $32-million North

OSHA violations are issued from the observation of unsafe practices at jobsites regardless of whether an accident has occurred. Typically, these violations arise from employee(s)

In 2004, a major report entitled “Who Cares Wins” was issued from the United Nations to encourage all stakeholders in business to consider and adhere

A roundup of what’s new and who’s in the news both locally and in the state.

A staple in Stony Point, NY and Rockland County politics, Arthur Douglas Jobson (known as Douglas), passed away at the age of 85 on Mon.

ALBANY—As some critics of Industrial Development Agencies continue to call for additional oversight over their decisions and tax breaks granted to developers, a report released

WHITE PLAINS—Commercial property owners and developers in Westchester have until May 15 to submit proposals for leasing new office space that will be used by

TARRYTOWN, NY—New Yorkers deserve a stronger commitment from state lawmakers to invest in local transportation infrastructure, and they don’t seem to be getting it. That’s

TARRYTOWN, NY—The percentage of women construction workers is at an all-time high, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That level has ticked

In business, as in life, we can find ourselves in a rut. The way out may be complex or simple, but it always involves change.

TARRYTOWN, NY—New Yorkers have the longest commutes in the nation, according to a study gathered by business help site, LLC.org. The site analyzed data from

As this column has noted on many occasions, the contract between the parties is the ultimate definition of their relationship. While that document should provide

Briana Brown recalled the moment she caught the
engineering bug. As a junior in high school, she
strapped herself in for a wild jolt of

HVCIP mid-winter meeting – 140 Members and Guests Convene to Discuss Management & Labor Concerns, Contracting Challenges, Labor Relations, Public Works & Private Development Programs.

ALBANY—More than $110 million was awarded to 86 projects through two grant programs to improve water quality statewide, it was announced earlier this month. The

With summer approaching and temperatures beginning to rise, construction companies must take every reasonable precaution to protect their workers from potential hazards, including heat-related illnesses.

We have reached a critical moment in the future of the built environment in this post-pandemic world. It remains to be seen how space will

Low bid news from around the state.

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner

ALBANY—As negotiations slog on here to adopt a new state budget, the governor and leaders in the Legislature are in lockstep agreement that the state

Route 17 Expansion Will Improve Mobility, Enhance Safety and Boost Our Economy in the Hudson Valley