New York Construction Report staff writer
A report released this week highlights significant progress in reforming public infrastructure construction across New York City’s five boroughs. The report follows Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent legislation allowing the city to cut red tape and deliver projects more efficiently. It details the full implementation—or progress on—39 recommendations from the 2022 Capital Process Reform Task Force aimed at improving how public infrastructure is delivered.
New legislation will expand the use of progressive design-build and construction manager build methods, cutting outdated steps from the design-bid-build process. It will also enable online comment submission for procurements over $100,000, saving an average of 20 days on project timelines.
“If it seems like city construction projects take forever, there’s a reason why: archaic rules,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “This legislation will cut a full year off hundreds of projects, saving taxpayers millions.”
Thomas Foley, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), said in a statement: “A new era of great public works is becoming possible. We’ve shown what we can achieve with the right tools, delivering projects faster and more efficiently.”
The reforms will apply to ongoing projects like the $2.6 billion drainage system in southeast Queens and sewer upgrades across the city. The Capital Process Reform Task Force—comprising leaders from construction, labor, and M/WBEs—has focused on streamlining scoping, planning, and procurement, while boosting M/WBE participation.
“The new tools will expedite project delivery, benefiting communities across the city,” said Raquel Diaz, vice-president at Gilbane Building Company.
Key reforms include:
- Consolidating design and construction procurements, eliminating the outdated separate procurement process.
- Enabling electronic bidding to modernize the traditionally paper-based system.
- Streamlining invoicing and payment processes across agencies.
The DDC expects projects like the $141 million Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center to be completed two years ahead of schedule, saving $2.4 million. Similar savings and timeline reductions are expected at other sites, including the $92 million Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center.
Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, emphasized the importance of continued investment in public works for economic growth and union jobs.
The American Institute of Architects New York also supports the reforms, praising the shift to alternative delivery methods to deliver innovative, high-quality projects efficiently.
