New York Construction Report staff writer
Battery Park City Authority has signed a Project Labor Agreement with the Building and Construction Trades Council for the $1.7 billion Battery Park City Resiliency Project, the city’s first progressive design-build project.
The agreement will create thousands of union jobs while providing opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. It also ensures family-sustaining wages and career pathways for youth, apprentices, women and veterans.
A joint venture of Turner Construction Company and SPC Construction Co. LLC will deliver the project under the progressive design-build model, which combines design and construction under a single contract to improve efficiency, control costs and reduce risk. Work is set to begin this fall on a coastal flood protection system that will run from First Place along the Esplanade, across West Street/Route 9A and end above Chambers Street at Greenwich Street.
The project will protect property and residents from rising seas, heavy rain and storm surges. It will also improve public spaces with accessible walkways, more seating, and expanded landscaping. Planting coverage on the South Esplanade will increase by 30 percent, with 85 percent native species, and about 1,200 feet of bulkhead will be rebuilt to support marine life. FEMA’s removal of Battery Park City from the flood zone is expected to reduce homeowners’ flood insurance costs.
The labor agreement ensures skilled local workers will be employed throughout construction and encourages participation from minority, women and veteran-owned businesses. Apprenticeship programs such as Helmets to Hardhats will provide training and career opportunities.
Turner-SPC and BPCA worked with ARCADIS US, Bjarke Ingels Group, SCAPE Landscape Architecture and other partners on the design, including input from the community and stakeholders.
The project is expected to strengthen Battery Park City’s resilience against climate change while creating union jobs and long-term community benefits.
