While the owner of the 2.6-million-sq-ft Empire State Building gears up for a $500-million renovation, designed to cut energy costs by 38% and be a model for other green office-building retrofits, a construction firm that recently moved into its green ESB offices is releasing hard data on the 24,000-sq-ft retrofit. Skanska USA Building, which moved into its 32nd-floor space in November, reports it has reduced its energy bill by 46% over its smaller, previous offices elsewhere. Related Links: NYC to Share Crane Data With Philadelphia, Chicago NYC Firms and Unions Will Cut Costs To Boost Work Guidelines Introduced for Coney

Extell Development Company of New York City recently launched the International Gem Tower, a 34 story state-of-the-art industry center designed to meet the needs of the gem and jewelry trades. The 34-story International Gem Tower will be located at 50 West 47th Street and is expected to create over 1,000 permanent and short-term jobs. Related Links: NYC to Share Crane Data With Philadelphia, Chicago NYC Firms and Unions Will Cut Costs To Boost Work Guidelines Introduced for Coney Island Development Greener Empire State Building Could Be Model for Retrofits Aragon Construction Assembles Suites in Midtown Construction Underway on Claremont Corporate

Plans to turn the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx into a $310 million major retail complex are moving forward with hopes of bringing new jobs and shopping opportunities to Bronx residents. Related Links: NYC to Share Crane Data With Philadelphia, Chicago NYC Firms and Unions Will Cut Costs To Boost Work Guidelines Introduced for Coney Island Development Greener Empire State Building Could Be Model for Retrofits Aragon Construction Assembles Suites in Midtown Construction Underway on Claremont Corporate Center First Concrete Laid for 9/11 Memorial Plaza NYS AHC and SONYMA Approve Grants International Gem Tower Announced Plainfield Energy Plant Project Moves

In an effort to jump start building projects in New York City and put idle union construction workers back on the job, the leaders of more than 40 different building trades and union employer groups announced on May 29 what they termed a “historic compact” to cut wages of both labor and management and end expensive work rules. Proponents claim the citywide project-labor agreement will cut costs by as much as 21% on the first 12 high-rise and other commercial projects that it covers, representing $2 billion of construction and 10,000 jobs. But some are less enthusiastic about the cost

By the end of June, three U.S. cities plan to begin tracking tower cranes working on construction sites, and public officials there hope to expand the list to improve safety on a national level. Related Links: NYC Firms and Unions Will Cut Costs To Boost Work Guidelines Introduced for Coney Island Development Greener Empire State Building Could Be Model for Retrofits Aragon Construction Assembles Suites in Midtown Construction Underway on Claremont Corporate Center First Concrete Laid for 9/11 Memorial Plaza NYS AHC and SONYMA Approve Grants International Gem Tower Announced Plainfield Energy Plant Project Moves Forward Public Review on Rezoning

The boards of the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation and the State of New York Mortgage Agency approved $35.8 million in grants and insurance commitments to build and renovate 669 affordable housing units across New York State in order to improve housing stock and help get the economy moving again. Related Links: NYC to Share Crane Data With Philadelphia, Chicago NYC Firms and Unions Will Cut Costs To Boost Work Guidelines Introduced for Coney Island Development Greener Empire State Building Could Be Model for Retrofits Aragon Construction Assembles Suites in Midtown Construction Underway on Claremont Corporate Center First Concrete

With the economy in decline, construction projects will likely experience an increase in claims as parties attempt to mitigate risk and salvage shrinking profit margins. In such an environment, both owners and contractors should get reacquainted with the law that governs one of the most common disputes between owners and contractors: differing site conditions. Generally, construction professionals accept that traditional site condition clauses control the risk associated with differing site conditions. New York case law, however, calls that conclusion into question. Over 30 years ago, New York courts issued two rulings which imposed liability on owners for their failure to

Construction workers recently began laying the first concrete slab of the plaza at ground zero that will surround two reflecting pools at the 9/11 memorial. Related Links: NYC to Share Crane Data With Philadelphia, Chicago NYC Firms and Unions Will Cut Costs To Boost Work Guidelines Introduced for Coney Island Development Greener Empire State Building Could Be Model for Retrofits Aragon Construction Assembles Suites in Midtown Construction Underway on Claremont Corporate Center NYS AHC and SONYMA Approve Grants International Gem Tower Announced Plainfield Energy Plant Project Moves Forward Public Review on Rezoning Carroll Gardens Launched Kingsbridge Armory to be Redeveloped

During the economic recession, specialty contractors are being forced to do what they can to be more competitive and attractive to contractors. For some, that has meant upgrading skills, learning the latest about building information modeling and sustainability. For others, it has meant spreading out geographically. But all agree that surviving in this climate is about embracing change while still doggedly pursuing traditional jobs. Specialty contractors on large-scale jobs like the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. are learning valuable new technologies that will help them remain competitive in the future. Related Links: Top Specialty Contractors Top Specialty Contractors

A sustainable, mixed-use complex with an “iconic and distinctive” design gets underway in New Jersey’s capital city. The development of a 700,000-sq-ft LEED platinum Class A office tower currently in pre-construction in Trenton, N.J., is tied to the revitalization of the city, and the building’s green credentials are being achieved at a minimum of cost. The 25-story Vista Center in Trenton, N.J. will feature 12,000 sq ft of street-level retail, a 1,140-car garage and a public plaza. The 25-story Vista Center, being developed by Capital Real Estate Group of Trenton, will offer offices in increments of up to 200,000 sq