For Immediate Release: January 25, 2024
New York Building Congress Outlines 2024 Policy Priorities and Recommendations
As lawmakers outline budget priorities, the Building Congress' 2024 Policy Agenda urges action on housing, infrastructure, transportation, and climate in the year ahead
Recommendations include Sustainable Housing and Affordable Rental Program (SHARP) to spur green development; recognizing Sept. 11 as statewide ‘Day of Service’; modernizing resilience, energy infrastructure
New York, N.Y. (January 25, 2024) — Today, the New York Building Congress released its 2024 Policy Agenda, calling on our city, state and federal governments to take action on infrastructure projects and policy initiatives that would create a more affordable, resilient and prosperous New York.
“All eyes are on New York to sustain our growth and invest in our future, and we must take the opportunity before us to make progress on the priorities that will be foundational to that growth,” said Carlo A. Scissura, Esq., President and CEO of the New York Building Congress. “Our 2024 Policy Agenda outlines key priorities for the City and State, such as implementing crucial housing reforms to dig us out of our current crisis and advancing major transportation infrastructure projects. We have to be creative in how we spur another generation’s worth of growth, which is why the Building Congress also offers some bold new ideas with the potential to make a tremendous impact on New Yorkers. We look forward to collaborating with partners in City Hall, Albany, and Washington to activate available funding and enable our industry to build a stronger, fairer New York.”
The Building Congress' recommendations aim to stimulate housing development, enhance transit accessibility, safeguard New Yorkers from climate change impacts, foster collaboration between city and state agencies, promote job creation, and strengthen the economy.
Key issue areas and priorities from the report include:
Combating Our Housing Shortage
- Create a “Sustainable Housing and Affordable Rental Program” (SHARP), with tiered tax breaks for developments that integrate affordable housing and achieve carbon neutrality. The plan tackles two critical issues simultaneously: the urgent need for sustainable, carbon-neutral development, and the growing demand for affordable housing.
- Extend the completion deadline for 421-a vested projects through at least 2028, saving 33,000 rental units, and enact a new tax incentive program to kick in after that.
- Lift the 12 FAR cap for increasing housing density.
- Prioritize office-to-residential conversions.
- Implement the proposed “City of Yes” Text Amendments, incorporating zoning reforms that will help bolster small businesses and responsible, small-scale housing growth by sweeping away antiquated restrictions.
Building Faster and Better
- Advocate for the state to improve public procurement processes by prioritizing the adoption of Progressive Design-Build, CM-Build, and CM-at-Risk.
- Prioritize policies to improve the efficiency, transparency, and impact of government agencies, including measures to combat inflation and streamline permit approval and change order processes.
- Implement the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) as an authority to promote roadway, sewer, and water main construction projects across the city.
Investing in Transportation Infrastructure
- Accelerate the rollout of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding
- Sustain robust capital budgets for New York State and City agencies, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Port Authority of NY and NJ (PANYNJ), School Construction Authority, and other public authorities.
- Advocate for the realization of the Interborough Express project, which would revolutionize intracity transit options.
- Advance Phase 2 and begin planning Phase 3 of the Second Avenue Subway project.
- Progressing the redevelopment of the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT)
Modernizing Energy Infrastructure and Bolstering Resilience Measures
- Invest ambitiously in large-scale renewable energy projects to reduce carbon emissions.
- Fortify our sewage and drainage infrastructure systems to mitigate flooding effects from storms.
- Prioritize strengthening the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to upgrade water infrastructure and increase STORM Act funding for enhanced hazard mitigation.
- Promote energy-efficient construction projects compliant with Local Law 97.
Designating 9/11 as a State “Day of Service” Holiday
- Establish September 11 as an official public holiday that closes schools, government offices, and some businesses with an intentional focus on direct service to others across New York.
The Building Congress has been one of the most influential building industry advocacy groups for more than a century, representing the interests of more than 250,000 skilled workers and professionals. As such, this report showcases key policies to advance an industry-wide agenda focused on accessibility, resilience and economic and infrastructure investment.
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About The New York Building Congress
The New York Building Congress, a broad-based membership association celebrating its 103rd year, is committed to promoting the growth and success of the construction industry in New York City and its environs. Learn more about the New York Building Congress at www.buildingcongress.com.
