Annual Report 2010

Research & Publications

In a period of great economic uncertainty, the New York Building Congress continues to break new ground in its efforts to provide builders, business leaders, and policy makers with timely, credible and relevant information on the current state of - and prospects for - the construction industry in New York City.

Over the past decade, Building Congress research reports and publications have grown in frequency and focus and have adapted to take advantage of technological advancements. At the beginning of the decade, the Building Congress was able to produce and mail one or two reports a year. In 2010, the Building Congress will produce approximately 20 data-driven research publications and reports that are instantly distributed to thousands of people via email and the Internet.

New York City Construction Outlook 2010-2012
The annual forecast and analysis, which focuses on three years of construction spending and employment, remains a signature publication of the Building Congress. Widely circulated among business, labor, and policy circles, the forecast serves as a barometer for the City's economy and is widely quoted by elected officials, civic leaders, and journalists. This year's installment - the tenth in the series - will be released in conjunction with an October Construction Industry Forum. This multi-year Outlook publication is an important benefit of Building Congress membership.

New York City Construction Outlook Update
In April 2009, the Building Congress, with funding from the New York Building Foundation, launched its most ambitious information effort to date: New York City Construction Outlook Update. The initiative builds off the organization's signature multi-year forecasts. Updates access real-time data on a range of leading building industry indicators to provide a monthly snapshot of conditions and trends affecting all industry sectors. The publication, which blends raw data with timely commentary, is sent electronically to Building Congress members as well as leaders in the business and policy community. This year, the series has included analysis of building permits, industry employment, residential construction, and federal stimulus funding.

Infrastructure Update
In early 2010, the Building Congress launched Infrastructure Update, a data-driven monthly analysis of key infrastructure policy and budgetary programs. The publication examines the prospects for and challenges facing all of the various City, State, regional, and Federal entities entrusted with the maintenance and expansion of the City's infrastructure systems.

(e)Update
Recognizing an ongoing need for members, as well as policy makers and the news media, to remain up-to-date on late breaking developments and industry priorities, the Building Congress continues to publish periodic, policy-centric (e)Updates. Recent editions of the electronic publication - which combines policy briefings with a call to action - have focused on the New York State budget crisis, the funding freeze on State transportation projects, and the capital plans of both the City of New York and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.