Building Congress Event
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING & CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LUNCHEON FORUM
Shorris and Silverstein Headline New York Building Congress 93rd Annual Membership Meeting and Construction Industry Luncheon Forum
More than 550 industry leaders gathered at the Mandarin Oriental New York on January 13 for the New York Building Congress 93rd Annual Membership Meeting and Construction Industry Luncheon Forum, which featured greetings by First Deputy Mayor Anthony E. Shorris and a keynote address by World Trade Center Developer
Larry A. Silverstein.
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The Annual Membership Meeting portion of the event included reports on Building Congress membership growth, finances, and highlights of 2013 events and policy initiatives. It also marked the initiation of newly elected Building Congress Chairman Thomas Z. Scarangello, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Thornton Tomasetti. The Building Congress elected Chairman Scarangello and new members to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee prior to the Annual Membership Meeting and Forum. To read more about the new slate of Building Congress Executive Committee members and Directors, please see http://www.buildingcongress.com/press/2014-01-13.html.
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First Deputy Mayor Shorris said the de Blasio administration views the design, construction and real estate industry as partners in its drive to build a stronger City that meets the needs of all New Yorkers.
“We will be doing a lot of building over the next eight years,” Mr. Shorris said to the applause of those gathered. He said Mayor de Blasio is especially committed to a robust building program focused on education, transportation, energy efficiency, and the creation of 200,000 units of affordable housing, which will ensure that New Yorkers are able to remain and prosper in the neighborhoods they love.
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Mr. Silverstein also signaled the need for the private sector to work closely with the de Blasio administration and voiced support for the new Mayor’s priorities. “Mayor de Blasio said he intends to address inequality and increase opportunities for New Yorkers at all economic levels. That is certainly a message I support. And it’s something that the design, construction and real estate industry can – and should – fully support.”
He provided an encouraging update on the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, noting that 4 World Trade Center was completed in November of last year and will be followed this year by the opening of One World Trade Center and The National September 11 Memorial & Museum. In addition, Mr. Silverstein said that the finalization of a lease with GroupM, an advertising conglomerate, will allow Silverstein Properties to obtain the financing necessary to complete 3 World Trade Center by 2017.
“It has taken more time than we all hoped, but people are finally recognizing that, out of tragedy, we have created in Lower Manhattan the most dynamic urban neighborhood anywhere in the country, and maybe the world,” Mr. Silverstein added.
The event concluded with closing remarks delivered by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.
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Engineering News Record New York co-sponsored the event, which was hosted by eight organizations: AECOM; Cauldwell Wingate Company, LLC; HOK; Lend Lease (US) Construction LMB, Inc.; Parsons; Sciame Construction LLC; STV Group, Inc.; and Weidlinger Associates, Inc. The Madison Square Garden Company contributed Knicks and Rangers tickets for a ticket drawing.
