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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 01, 2002
PR- 284-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES COMMISSION TO STUDY INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, joined by Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Patricia Lancaster and City Council Housing and Buildings Chair Madeline Provenzano, announced on his weekly radio show with John Gambling on WABC that the City will issue an executive order to study the feasibility of adopting the International Building Code (IBC). New York City's current Building Code is the largest and most complex in the country and takes up hundreds of pages in the City's Administrative Code.

"By studying, and potentially adopting the International Building Code, the City will streamline one of the largest hurdles to construction in New York City," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Our current Building Code's complexity is often an impediment to new construction and drives up the cost of building in New York City. A continuously updated Building Code will help generate more affordable housing and make New York City a more attractive place to do business."

"Adopting the IBC will be a tremendous boon to both construction professionals and Buildings Department," said Commissioner Lancaster. "By relying on the staff of the International Code Commission to draft and update the Building Code, the City receives the benefit of a powerful public/private partnership with a staff of more than 350 building professionals dedicate to maintaining and enhancing the most exhaustive and technologically sophisticated building code available."

"Revising New York's Building Code is much needed and long overdue," said Councilmember Provenzano. "I am proud to be here today with the Mayor and Buildings Commissioner to announce this important first step in improving the construction industry in our City."

The City will form a code commission to study the feasibility of adopting the IBC and report back on its findings within four months. The Commission is being formed by Executive Order of the Office of the Mayor in cooperation with the City Council's Housing and Buildings Committee.


 

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