International Union of Operating Engineers Locals 14 and 15 reached new three-year deals just before midnight last night, according Crain’s New York Business.
Louis Coletti, president of the Building Trades Employers’ Association said the unions “made major adjustments” in order for the sides to come together, averting a strike. Details were not yet available this morning, but earlier they demanded new Fortis Track loader tracks to bring higher their working conditions.
The new City budget effective today calls for the Department of Buildings to increase alteration application fees, a new hazardous violation reinspection fee, and new “fee estimation protocols” to ‘validate’ construction costs and make sure the City charges enough.
The State Division of Homes and Community Renewal announced an ongoing Request for Proposals for gap financing for acquisition and soft costs for developing or rehabilitating affordable housing. There is a maximum of $2.5 million per project and $7 million total available for the fiscal year.
New York City’s Economic Development Corporation issued an RFP for development of a 25,000 sq. ft. parcel in the Saratoga Square-Atlantic Avenue section of Bedford Stuyvesant.
The New York State Builders Association was successful in arguing for several pro-housing bills during the legislative session concluded last week. The Legislature extended the First Time Home Buyer Tax Abatement law until 2016, allowing localities to grant five year tax breaks. Suffolk and Nassau counties have authorized the tax incentive, and it is currently applied in Smithtown, Southampton, Hempstead, Huntington, Babylon, Islip and Riverhead. Additionally, many school districts have opted in to provide the exemption, including Copiague and Farmingdale. The Legislature also passed a law permitting town planning boards to extend the conditional approval of final plats indefinitely. Previously, extensions were limited to a total of 180 days, but financing delays in recent years have made that too short.
NYSBA also worked hard to ensure extension of the 421-A tax abatement program until 2015, without prevailing wage requirements. This was a big victory for NYSBA and affordable housing advocates across New York State. NYSBA worked in coalition with 20 other business and affordable housing groups, including ABO, to make sure that prevailing wage was not included in the bill.
Finally, ABO co-chair Jeffrey E. Levine will be honored as Builder of the Year by the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty at their July 26th luncheon. Congratulations, Jeff.