Annual Report 2013
Advocacy
Throughout its 92-year history, the Building Congress has been a vocal advocate for sensible private development and forward-looking investment in the City's vast infrastructure network.
The Building Congress 2013 advocacy agenda is focused heavily on the need to keep New York building for its future, with an emphasis on the capital programs and budgets of all government entities in this era of shrinking tax revenues and growing debt burdens.
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| Rendering of new Tappan Zee Bridge. Courtesy New York State Thruway Authority |
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
The Building Congress has developed an aggressive campaign emphasizing the importance of long-term capital investment and the need to implement new sources of financing dedicated to infrastructure programs. In addition to public testimony, white papers, forums, Op-Eds, and electronic updates to members and policymakers, the Building Congress, through its Board of Directors, Foundation Board of Governors, and committees and councils, is pressing the need for continued investment in regular meetings with a wide range of top elected and agency officials. The Building Congress is also meeting with the leading mayoral candidates to educate them on the issues and enlist their support.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Building Congress is continuing its support for strategic economic development initiatives that will create meaningful jobs in the short-term while also creating new neighborhoods and expanding the region's tax base. Such initiatives include East Midtown Rezoning, the renovations of Pier 17 and Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, Hudson Yards, the revised Willets Point plan, and the next phase of development at Atlantic Yards.
STORM PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCY
The Building Congress Task Force on New York City Storm Preparedness has produced a report, Risk & Resiliency After Sandy, that includes recommendations for private industry, utilities, institutions, and State and local governments to improve the City's overall resilience in the face of changing weather patterns and increased severe storm activity.
The report also provides recommendations to increase the City's capacity to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies; includes draft legislation to protect building industry members who respond to requests for emergency assistance; and offers ways to better prepare critical infrastructure and facilities in advance of the next emergency.
STATE AND CITY BUDGET PROCESS
Working with other industry associations, the Building Congress played a lead role over the past two budget cycles in pressing the State Legislature to enact on-time budgets that preserve statewide infrastructure programs. The Building Congress also continues to enjoy a collaborative and productive working relationship with the Bloomberg administration and the City Council.
Armed with research on the true costs and benefits of infrastructure investment, the Building Congress continues to make the case for robust capital spending, even in the face of growing deficits. This message will be key to the organization's advocacy with the next mayoral administration.
TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT
The Building Congress is aggressively supporting the State's effort to rebuild the Tappan Zee Bridge and is meeting with State Legislators regarding the MTA's next five-year capital program, which has no sources of funding other than Federal formula funds. Finding money for the next capital plan, which begins in 2015, therefore, is a top lobbying priority for the Building Congress through 2014.
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
With government authorities and agencies starved for the revenue necessary to fund critical projects, all potential new funding sources must be examined. One area with great potential is the use of public private partnerships (P3s). The Building Congress is lobbying the state legislature to authorize expanded use of P3s for critical transportation infrastructure and is actively endorsing the use of P3s by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
