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NEW YORK BUILDING CONGRESS Summary of Discussion Attendance: Guests: Co-Chairman Joseph Aliotta welcomed the Council members and thanked Brennan Beer Gorman/Architects for hosting the luncheon. He introduced guest speaker Porie Saikia-Eapen, Chief Architect for MTA New York City Transit and expressed appreciation to her and her colleague, Vijay Sawant, for attending the Council meeting. Ms. Saikia-Eapen thanked the Architects Leadership Council for the opportunity to discuss the MTA’s design program and her department’s responsibilities. She said the City’s architectural community is very important for the Lower Manhattan program and many other Transit Authority efforts. Ms. Saikia-Eapen reports to MTA New York City Transit Senior Vice President Connie Crawford and works under the MTA’s five-year capital plan, which is expected to yield $2-3 billion annually in New York City. Ms. Saikia-Eapen discussed new organizational procedures and how design organizations can work most effectively with the Transit Authority. She reviewed past capital programs and progress since the early 1980’s. She supervises 80 in-house architects as well as outside consultants. She expressed a willingness to try “whatever works” and highlighted new “station design guidelines” for both new stations and renovations. The guidelines establish “a hierarchy of planning values,” she said. The next MTA capital plan will include both new work and renovations, with 75 percent of the design effort contributed by consultants. Much of the design work is expected to be done in 2005 and 2006, said Ms. Saikia-Eapen, and this will go forward even if the capital plan is not approved by the State Legislature in timely fashion. Ms. Saikia-Eapen also described the work of the MTA Capital Construction Company, which her office supports. She highlighted the Second Avenue Subway, Flushing Line extension, new South Ferry Station, Courtlandt Street Station and the East Side Access Project. In discussion, Council members expressed support for Ms. Saikia-Eapen and her important work at the Transit Authority. Thereafter, Mr. Aliotta expressed appreciation to her and Mr. Sawant for a very informative presentation. Co-Chair Mary-Jean Eastman said future meetings will be held with City Planning Commission Chair Amanda Burden and new Department of Design & Construction Commissioner, David J. Burney. Mr. Bell volunteered to call Commissioner Burney to arrange that meeting. Before adjourning, Mr. Anderson urged Council members to support the New York Building Foundation Theater Benefit on March 9. Adjournment Prepared by, Richard T. Anderson |
