Annual Report 2008

Research and Publications

For nearly a decade, research and policy oriented publications have become a core strength of the New York Building Congress. Today, the organization is increasingly viewed as a critical source of timely, accurate and relevant information on the industry and its impact on New York's economy.

In the past year alone, Building Congress research and publications have been quoted by a wide range of leading public officials as well as in editorials and news articles by virtually every daily newspaper in New York City, and in leading real estate and construction trade publications.

To follow is a summary of recent and upcoming research publications.

NewYork City Construction Outlook: 2007 - 2009
After seven annual installments, supplemented by interim updates, the Construction Outlook series has evolved into a signature Building Congress publication. Widely circulated among industry and policy circles, the forecast serves as a barometer for the City's economic strength and is often quoted by a range of public officials and news organizations. Last year's installment, which was unveiled during a Construction Industry Luncheon Forum with then NYC Economic Development Corporation President Robert Lieber, forecast total construction spending of $83 billion from 2007 through 2009.

(e)Update
This periodic electronic newsletter, emailed to more than 2,000 Building Congress members, press and other interested parties, provides up-to-the-minute information on relevant policy issues while suggesting ways in which industry members can make a difference. Thanks to its timeliness and reach, (e)Update has become an integral part of the overall Building Congress advocacy agenda. Over the course of 2007, (e)Updates focused on such industry priorities as Moynihan Station, the MTA and Port Authority's capital plans, Columbia University expansion, the rezoning of Jamaica in Queens, adoption of a new Building Code and the redevelopment of Governors Island.

Non-Residential Construction Costs Report
Working with statisticians and available data, the Building Congress, in partnership with the New York Building Foundation, is currently preparing a comprehensive report that will analyze recent trends in construction costs, compare costs in New York City with other major urban centers, and examine some recommendations to cut overall costs and help make New York City commercial, institutional and government construction more manageable and competitive with other metropolitan regions.