Annual Report 2008

The Advocacy Agenda

The Building Congress advocacy agenda, which focuses on key issues of importance to all sectors of the design, construction and real estate industry, is more extensive today than in any point in its history. Recent highlights include:

• Endorsement of the Port Authority's revised $30 billion ten-year capital program and financial plan. In particular, the Building Congress vigorously supported the Port Authority's plan to increase fares and tolls as a means of increasing funding for transit system upgrades and expansion, and continues to play a leading role in a coalition advocating the new Trans-Hudson Express Tunnel.
• Support for congestion pricing and fare and toll increases of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Through testimony, letters to State and City public officials, statements, forums and press conferences with likeminded groups, the Building Congress provided extensive support for proposed measures that would have provided the MTA with dedicated financing for essential expansion and maintenance.
• Support for Citywide economic development. Enlightened development is critical to the City's long-term ability to expand its economy and accommodate the next generation of New Yorkers. With this in mind, the Building Congress advocated a series of measures and plans vital to the City's future. Projects included Moynihan Station and World Trade Center redevelopment.
• Endorsement of the Bloomberg Administration's extensive rezoning program for New York City. The Building Congress has been highly supportive of the administration's progressive and forward-looking approach to rezoning, which places emphasis on five-borough development that is expansive, strategic and respectful of each neighborhood's history and character. Specific examples of successful advocacy include the City Council's approval of the Jamaica, Queens rezoning and Columbia University's rezoning and expansion plan.
• Continued emphasis on New York's energy outlook. The Building Congress has been particularly vocal on the need to: renew the Article X power plant citing law; approve specific energy generation projects; continue operating the Indian Point nuclear facility; and move forward with Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC initiative.
• Support of regulatory reform.With key building industry input and support, New York City adopted an updated, more modern and more flexible Building Code, which will guide future construction. In addition, the Building Congress joined with other industry associations to influence State Quality Based Selection (QBS) legislation and No Damages for Delay reform.