New York Construction Report staff writer
The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) has awarded two major parks contracts to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs), continuing its commitment to equitable contracting. The contracts, announced March 12, include a $128 million project to design and build a new Roy Wilkins Recreation Center in St. Albans, Queens, and a $22 million project to construct six new public restrooms in parks across the city.
Both projects are part of the DDC’s design-build pilot program, which combines design and construction services under one contract. This approach is expected to reduce project time by up to 3.3 years and cut costs by 10% compared to traditional methods.
The Roy Wilkins Recreation Center, set to be built in St. Albans, will be a 67,000-square-foot facility with a swimming pool, gymnasium, running track, weight rooms, and multi-purpose spaces. The project is expected to be completed by Spring 2029.
The contract for the recreation center was awarded to Triton-Elite JV, a joint venture including several M/WBE firms, with Elite Construction Company of New York, a minority-owned business, as a key partner. The team also includes M/WBE sub-consultants with expertise in design and engineering.
Triton-Elite JV has partnered with Crescent Consulting Associates, a minority-owned business based in Queens, to engage local businesses throughout the project.
Armand Construction Corp., a minority woman-owned business, received the $22 million contract to build six new public restrooms in parks across the city. Armand Construction, led by Barbara Armand Kushner, has worked on several time-sensitive DDC projects, including COVID-19 vaccine distribution centers and emergency renovations at Rikers Island.
This project will improve the park-going experience by ensuring access to public restrooms in high-traffic parks. It is expected to be completed by Fall 2026.
The DDC continues to be a leader in awarding contracts to M/WBEs, with more than $580 million in contracts awarded to such businesses in Fiscal Year 2024. The design-build program, which combines design and construction under a single contract, is key to increasing efficiency while also expanding opportunities for M/WBEs.
Thomas Foley, DDC Commissioner, highlighted the benefits of the design-build program, saying it attracts top contractors and designers while increasing diversity in the city’s contractor pool.
“These projects are essential infrastructure that makes our city more livable,” said Sue Donoghue, Commissioner of NYC Parks. “We are proud to be investing in the future of Southeast Queens and ensuring residents have access to quality recreation and greenspaces.”
