Press Releases & Statements

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NEW YORK – Approximately 1,000 men and women from the design, construction and real estate community joined on May 13 to honor three great New Yorkers – Douglas Durst, Matthew Goldstein and Howard Rubenstein – during the New York Building Congress 89th Anniversary Leadership Awards Luncheon at the Hilton New York. 

The luncheon was chaired this year by Tishman Construction Corporation - An AECOM Company Chairman and CEO Daniel R. Tishman and included greetings from New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.

This year’s honorees, while coming from the worlds of academia, development and public relations, were all recognized as pioneers in their respective fields and as selfless New Yorkers committed to the long-term growth and well-being of the City. 

In presenting the 89th Anniversary Leadership Award to The Durst Organization Co-President Douglas Durst, Mr. Tishman remarked, “Douglas is an extraordinary builder, visionary, and leader of the green building movement, not to mention a heck of an organic farmer.  To say the least, the New York skyline would be far different without the impressive efforts of The Durst Organization.  From Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue to Times Square on 42nd street, Douglas Durst and his firm have led the reestablishment of this City as a global economic center.  At the same time, Douglas Durst has been an exceptional advocate for many civic endeavors and a generous benefactor for so many worthwhile New York programs.”

Mr. Durst said, “On behalf of my family and the Durst organization, I thank you for this honor.”  In an optimistic note about the future of the City and the industry, he added, “We have turned the corner, and we are coming back.  New York City always comes back stronger thanks to the people in the room.”

New York Building Congress Chairman, and Tishman Construction President, Peter A. Marchetto presented the Leadership Award to City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Matthew Goldstein.  “Earlier this year, when we approached Chancellor Goldstein with the idea of recognizing his exceptional accomplishments at CUNY, we were thinking primarily of the University’s extraordinary building program.  But the more we reviewed his incredibly productive agenda, the more all of us were impressed with his extraordinary leadership.  New York City is unbelievably fortunate to have Matt Goldstein as the Chancellor of the City of New York.” 

Chancellor Goldstein said, “I am very privileged to accept this award on behalf of the City University of New York.”  He singled out his colleague, Iris Weinshall, who is spearheading the system’s building program.  Of that capital program, he said, “We have over two million square feet of construction going on at this University, and we strive for excellence in design.”  He noted that CUNY’s expansion program, along with Columbia, NYU and Fordham, is designed to provide students with the facilities, faculty and technologies necessary to prepare them for a world in which educational achievement is paramount.

Rudin Management President Bill Rudin presented the Jack and Lewis Rudin Award for Service to New York City to Rubenstein Associates President Howard J. Rubenstein.  “I have the privilege to honor a great New Yorker and a great friend to our entire family.  Howard has served as a valued counselor to some of the world's most influential corporations, organizations and opinion leaders.  He has advised every single Mayor and Governor dating back to the early 1970’s.  He is the backbone of the civic fabric of New York.  Above all, Howard deeply cares about our City and its future well being.”

In addition to praising the Rudin family’s commitment and contributions to New York, Mr. Rubenstein devoted much of his acceptance to saluting the building community.  “As an industry, you are literally and figuratively the bedrock and the foundation of our great City,” he said.  “Your work and your successes define who we are as a City and serve as a mirror into our aspirations.  You understand that what’s good for New York is what’s good for your industry.  For the better part of a decade, you led us on a building boom that has been virtually unmatched in the City’s history. And even today, with the economy struggling to come back, the men and women of this industry are hard at work, in all five boroughs, on projects that ensure our remarkable City soars to even greater heights.”

Building Congress President Richard T. Anderson told the nearly one thousand people assembled, “This annual celebration has brought together members of the design, construction and real estate community of New York City since 1921.  As we begin our 90th year, I want to thank all of you for your generous support and active involvement.”

The Underwriters of the luncheon were Jay Badame of Tishman Construction, The Durst Organization and Rudin Management.   The Executive Co-Chairmen for the luncheon were George J. Pierson of Parsons Brinckerhoff, Frank J. Sciame of Sciame Construction LLC, Dominick M. Servedio of STV Group, Iris Weinshall of CUNY as well as Con Edison.

 

The New York Building Congress is a membership coalition of business, labor, association and government organizations promoting the design, construction and real estate industry in New York City.