City Grill

Photo courtesy GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc.

Victoria Whelan 
Vice President
GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc.

Developing projects with “green spaces in already tight New York” is a focal point along with “finding the right building materials that align with sustainability goals, such as locally sourced materials,” says Whelan. Energy work opportunities such as solar, battery storage and utility upgrades are ripe “as the trend toward electrification of buildings and transportation accelerates,” she adds. 

The City of Yes initiative for carbon neutrality, economic improvement and housing eases restrictive building requirements such as “mandatory minimum parking spaces to allow for plans to include more housing,” she says.

While “the housing process has been slow getting through New York City agencies,” Whelan says she’s seen increased development plans for affordable and market rate housing. She expects that market “will be strong” thanks to increased state sustainable and green energy incentives for housing, new zoning allowances and lower interest rates that “will help developers build better, greener and more sustainable buildings sooner.”