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 Recent Coverage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| New York Times November 30, 2011 Coming Soon to the Sidewalks: A New Look for Scaffolding On December 7, 2011, Mayor Bloomberg and Buildings Commissioner LiMandri unveiled the first installation of the urbanSHED International Design Competition winning design, Urban Umbrella, at 100 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. Designed by Young-Hwan Choi and Andrés Cortés, R.A. and Sarrah Khan, P.E. of the Agencie Group, Urban Umbrella is a much needed improvement to the City’s landscape. The new design, the first major overhaul of the sidewalk shed in more than 50 years opens up the sidewalk, is made almost completely of recycled materials and uses LED lighting panels with a lifespan of 11 years. The Urban Umbrella installation announcement was also picked up by the New York Post, DNAinfo, amNew York, Village Voice, NBC4, Ch. 11, WNYC and Curbed.
NY1 reported that Mayor Bloomberg and Building Commissioner LiMandri have opened a new state-of-the-art review center called the NYC Development Hub to help streamline and accelerate the plan exam review process. At the new development center located in Lower Manhattan, plans are digitally submitted and reviewed by multiple City agencies at once in a virtual environment. The NYC Development Hub announcement was also picked up by Crain’s New York Business, DNAinfo, the Real Deal and WNYC.
CBS2 reported that the Department has been going undercover posing as potential tenants to find and crackdown on illegally converted apartments advertised on Craigslist and similar website. The Department added the new enforcement tool to its arsenal in the spring of 2010 to help it target illegal apartments and those who create them.
Commissioner Robert LiMandri appointed architect Fred S. Mosher, Jr. to the Department’s newly created Deputy Commissioner of Building Development position to focus on streamlining the City’s construction approval process. In the position, Deputy Commissioner Mosher will oversee the Department’s entire plan-exam review and permit issuing processes. The announcement of Mosher’s appointment was also picked up by the Real Deal and Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
Construction-related accidents in New York City continued to decline in the first half of 2011, falling to 56 from 94 in the first half of 2010. Injuries also decreased for the same time period from 96 in 2010 to 59 in 2011. The Department of Buildings attributed the continued decline to increased safety awareness.
Commissioner LiMandri unveiled a prototype of the urbanSHED International Design Competition winner, Urban Umbrella, to a group of construction and real estate stakeholders at an art studio in Brooklyn. Designed by Young-Hwan Choi and Andrés Cortés, R.A. and Sarrah Khan, P.E. of the Agencie Group, the sleek new Urban Umbrella design is made almost entirely of recycled materials and opens up and brings light to the sidewalk. The unveiling of the urbanSHED winning design prototype was also picked up by amNew York and Architects Newspaper.
One way to beat the City’s summer heat is to prepare in advance and coat your home or building’s roof white as part of the Department of Buildings’ NYC °Cool Roofs Program. The Program encourages building owners to paint their roofs with a white reflective sealant that repeals the sun’s rays, reducing the amount of energy needed to cool a building, a building’s electric costs as well as the City’s carbon footprint. During its inaugural season in 2010, the program helped to coat over 1 million square-feet of rooftop space in the City.
In June 2011, the Department launched its annual No-Penalty Deck and Porch Inspection Program, encouraging home owners to inspect these structures before using them in the summer and take advantage of the Department’s free inspection program by calling 311 if they have any concerns about their structures.
In it's weekly "Appraisal" column, the New York Times reported that there is a growing trend of solar panel installations throughout New York City . Buildings Commissioner LiMandri discussed the uptick with Times reporter Diane Cardwell.
Coney Island Rides Get Clean Bill of Health DOB Inspectors provided a look into how the City monitors amusement park rides and ensures that owners and operators are taking steps to maintain them safely. Inspectors noted that rides are generally safe and parents and children should follow safety precautions to minimize risk.
DOB Molds the Next Generation of Architects and Engineers A visit to the Department’s Manhattan headquarters as part of the Junior Architects and Engineers program was featured in the June 22 issue of Downtown Express. Approximately 30 students toured the facility, met with Senior DOB officials, reviewed building plans for the new high-rise residential tower at 8 Spruce Street and then toured completed parts of the building.
NBC News reporter Andrew Siff joined Buildings Inspector Joseph Cobian for a behind-the-scenes look at ongoing renovations at the Jacob Javits Center. Cobian, who is part of the Department’s Scaffold Safety Team, highlighted aspects of the site’s elaborate scaffolding equipment and the Department’s role in ensuring work is performed safely.
DOB Teaches Kids About Architects & Engineers NY1 reported that Commissioner Robert Limandri and Queens Borough Commissioner Ira Gluckman kicked-off the Department’s new educational program for elementary students, Junior Architects and Engineers, by teaching a class to fifth graders at PS 31 on Staten Island about what it means to be an architect or engineer. The new program aims to give elementary students in New York City a better understanding of the construction industry and encourage students to start thinking about careers in the construction field. If you are interested in having the Department visit your school or your child’s school, send an email to JrArchitectEngineer@ buildings.nyc.gov.
Quick Response (QR) Codes to be Added to All NYC Construction Permits Commissioner LiMandri and Deputy Mayor Goldsmith appeared on NY1’s “Inside City Hall” program to discuss the City’s new Quick Response (QR) Codes program. The piece highlights how the Department is using technology and placing QR codes on all NYC construction permits to allow New Yorkers to scan the codes with their smartphones and gain instant access to information about construction sites and buildings. The QR Codes announcement, which Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Goldsmith and Commissioner LiMandri unveiled on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, was also picked up by Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, the New York Observer, the Real Deal, WCBS, Fox5, WNYC and DNAinfo.
SQUARE FEET | THE 30-MINUTE INTERVIEW: Robert LiMandri The New York Times featured a profile of Commissioner LiMandri in the Sunday Real Estate section. The Q&A highlighted important figures from the 2010 Annual Report, along with the Department’s accomplishments since his appointment in 2008. The Real Deal, The Brownstoner and The New York Observer also picked up the story.
Rental Red Flags: 10 Signs You Don't Want That Apartment CBS MoneyWatch featured Commissioner LiMandri’s 10 tips for renters on the homepage, which were issued following the Department’s city-wide undercover investigation into illegal conversions in apartments posted on Craigslist.
Department Leads Elevator Escalator Safety Week. In November 2010, the Department of Buildings taught more than 3,000 first, second and third graders elevator and escalator safety tips as part of National Elevator Escalator Safety Week. NY1 also covered the Elevator Escalator Safety Week kick-off which was held at P.S. 124 in Chinatown.
Cambridge artist's winning design unveiled in New York City.
The Boston Globe covered the unveiling of the second urbancanvas design installation, which went up at the Hunter College School of Social Work on December 10th. The artwork was created by Boston-based designer Jen Magathan. Urbancanvas is beautifying the City by installing public art on temporary protective structures at construction sites.
DOB Officials Share How To Spot An Illegal Apartment.
Following an undercover investigation into illegal apartments advertised on Craigslist, the Department issued tips for renters that were featured on NY1's New York One For You segment.
City Says Investigation Uncovers Illegal Apartments.
Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner LiMandri announced the results of a 5-month long undercover operation to expose illegal conditions in apartments for rent throughout New York City at a September 23 press conference.
Canvassing for Votes With NYC Construction Fence Finalists.
With more than 100 design submissions, the urbancanvas design competition announced eight finalists and encouraged the public to select winning designs to be installed on construction sites across the City.
Great Neck Man Charged With Bribery Attempt.
A tip from a Department of Buildings inspector led to the arrest of a Great Neck businessman for trying to bribe the inspector to overlook electrical violations in a multi-unit residential property in Brooklyn. Since 2003, DOI has arrested 76 individuals in investigations originating from tips from Buildings Department personnel.
Island's Chief Engineer Receives Proclamation from Molinaro.
Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro honored Borough Engineer Sai-Yung Wat by declaring “Sai-Yung Wat Day” at a Borough Hall Proclamation ceremony. The proclamation was in recognition of Mr. Wat's individual excellence award at the Department's first-ever Commissioner's Awards for Excellence ceremony in June. The Department also honored six other Staten Island residents at the ceremony: Eyal Amos, Andrew Bruschi, Paul D'Alessio, Gary Grandstaff, Sam Samaan and Gloria Janis.
“Queens Families Move to Solar Energy to Power their Homes,” (Video). NBC News reporter Andrew Siff joined Buildings Commissioner LiMandri at the home of a Queens family who installed solar panels on their roof after receiving DOB permits and approvals. The solar panels have lowered the family’s monthly electric bills to under $10.00 a month and have inspired others in the community to install solar panels to improve energy efficiency in the area.
"City Design Competition Seeks to Beautify Construction Sites."
DNAinfo featured a story on the urbancanvas Design Competition, which will give professional artists the opportunity to create a set of printed art designs for temporary protective structures at construction sites throughout the New York City.  More News Coverage | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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To learn more about Department initiatives, read our recent press releases and service notices. You may also sign up for Building News for regular Department updates. |
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