Message from the Chairman and President

We truly are living in a remarkable age of progress and prosperity. Our industry’s contributions to the City’s evolving landscape – and its stature – abound. The thousands of people represented by our member companies, associations, and labor unions are the lifeblood of the City. Collectively, we are responsible for making possible the offices, homes, transportation and entertainment of the growing millions of New York residents and visitors.

Of course, we could not continue to do our jobs without the support of our partners in business, government and the communities we serve. It has been and continues to be a goal of the Building Congress to help these groups recognize and appreciate our industry’s vital contributions to New York’s continued strength and attractiveness as a place to live, work and enjoy.

These are good times for our professions. Our challenge in 2001 is to capitalize on the advantages of prosperity and encourage policies and projects that will help New York build for the future responsibly and confidently.

Soon we will see virtually unprecedented turnover of political leadership positions at all government levels, especially in New York City. Consequently, this year is a particularly important time to make our collective voice heard. With your support, the Building Congress will help focus the attention of our new leaders on the industry’s key concerns.

For the coming year, the Building Congress has two principal goals. The first is to work with public officials and opinion leaders to help encourage continued growth in the City’s economy and recognition of the industry’s contribution to that growth. The second is to work within the industry on greater collaboration and exchange, with the best possible program of membership services and activities.

To accomplish these goals, the Building Congress has a strategy that includes five priorities:

Promote New York City’s Continued Economic Expansion
The City’s economic resurgence is now several years old and is straining the capacity of infrastructure, labor and supporting services. The Building Congress will work with the City’s public and private leadership on steps to increase public funding for infrastructure, housing and education, which provides the underpinning for continued economic expansion.

Improve Industry Image
Increased attention will be paid to improving the overall image of the design, construction and real estate industry. The Building Congress will lead efforts to generate wider understanding of the industry’s professional ethics and enormous positive contributions to the City of New York.

Enhance Industry Coordination and Collaboration
As the broadest industrywide coalition, the Building Congress will work closely with other organizations to foster support and understanding among current City and State public officials, as well as candidates for citywide elected offices.

Increase Membership Participation and Services
The Building Congress will seek to attract additional members and continue to improve services to existing ones. Committees will be strengthened and special programs designed for the Council of Presidents and Public Agency Council. The goal is to involve every member in at least one committee or other Building Congress activity.

Strengthen the New York Building Foundation
The Building Congress will seek to expand research, education and charitable programs of the Building Foundation in the coming year and increase efforts to attract industry leaders to its programs through special attention to planned giving and named funds.

Our priorities for this pivotal year demonstrate the steadfast commitment of the Building Congress to help build a better New York, now and for the future. Your active participation is vital to our success.